On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:37:07 GMT, "Daniel E. Best"
wrote (with possible editing):

Larry,
I'm not at all familiar with your boat, but would there be any way to
rig a tiller pilot to work? These are devices designed to by used by
sailboats w/ a tiller, but are often also used with some wind vanes
(like the monitor). They steer the boat to a compass heading, but most
can also be interfaced to accept NEMA and steer to a waypoint. Cost new
starts about $300

Dan,

Thanks for the tip. I'm not familiar with tiller pilots that
accept NEMA data, but now that I know there are some, I'll definitely
take a look. Thanks.
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com

Larry,
These are not neccessarily the cheapest sources, just the first that
came up when I Googled Tiller Pilot

http://www.ginasvineyard-marina.com/raysttilpil.html
The Raymarine's entry level is the ST-1000. It accepts NMEA

http://www.vitelectronics.com/smtp10.html
Simrad's entry level TP-10 does not, but it is cheaper.
The TP-20CX and TP-30CX do accept NMEA.

http://search-completed.ebay.com/sea...ompletedonly=1
They also come up on Ebay every now and then.


L. M. Rappaport wrote:
On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:37:07 GMT, "Daniel E. Best"
wrote (with possible editing):


Larry,
I'm not at all familiar with your boat, but would there be any way to
rig a tiller pilot to work? These are devices designed to by used by
sailboats w/ a tiller, but are often also used with some wind vanes
(like the monitor). They steer the boat to a compass heading, but most
can also be interfaced to accept NEMA and steer to a waypoint. Cost new
starts about $300


Dan,

Thanks for the tip. I'm not familiar with tiller pilots that
accept NEMA data, but now that I know there are some, I'll definitely
take a look. Thanks.
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com



--
Dan Best - (707) 431-1662, Healdsburg, CA 95448
B-2/75 1977-1979
Tayana 37 #192, "Tricia Jean"
http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/TriciaJean.JPG

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 20:53:41 GMT, L. M. Rappaport
wrote:

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:37:07 GMT, "Daniel E. Best"
wrote (with possible editing):

Larry,
I'm not at all familiar with your boat, but would there be any way to
rig a tiller pilot to work? These are devices designed to by used by
sailboats w/ a tiller, but are often also used with some wind vanes
(like the monitor). They steer the boat to a compass heading, but most
can also be interfaced to accept NEMA and steer to a waypoint. Cost new
starts about $300

Dan,

Thanks for the tip. I'm not familiar with tiller pilots that
accept NEMA data, but now that I know there are some, I'll definitely
take a look. Thanks.

If all you need is to hold a straight line, you don't even need to
hook up the NMEA. The autopilot will follow the magnetic course you
start it on with its internal fluxgate compass.

I don't know how to mount a tiller pilot on a motor boat. I use one on
my sailboat with the emergency tiller. I do plan to hook up the NMEA
but it works without it.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Wanting to meet a writer because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate."
Margaret Atwood

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 21:58:49 -0500, Rodney Myrvaagnes
wrote (with possible editing):

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 20:53:41 GMT, L. M. Rappaport
wrote:

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:37:07 GMT, "Daniel E. Best"
wrote (with possible editing):

Larry,
I'm not at all familiar with your boat, but would there be any way to
rig a tiller pilot to work? These are devices designed to by used by
sailboats w/ a tiller, but are often also used with some wind vanes
(like the monitor). They steer the boat to a compass heading, but most
can also be interfaced to accept NEMA and steer to a waypoint. Cost new
starts about $300

Dan,

Thanks for the tip. I'm not familiar with tiller pilots that
accept NEMA data, but now that I know there are some, I'll definitely
take a look. Thanks.

If all you need is to hold a straight line, you don't even need to
hook up the NMEA. The autopilot will follow the magnetic course you
start it on with its internal fluxgate compass.

I don't know how to mount a tiller pilot on a motor boat. I use one on
my sailboat with the emergency tiller. I do plan to hook up the NMEA
but it works without it.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a

Thanks, guys,

Well, I did a little research and I'm not sure a tiller pilot
would work. The inexpensive models seem to be designed to connect to
a conventional tiller. When you step up a bit, it looks like you
replace the wheel with a new assembly.

I'm going to have to first figure out what kind of steering
linkage is being used he I know it's not cables, but I don't know
if it's hydraulic or mechanical. Then I have to figure out how much
travel, and whether or not you can move the jet without turning the
wheel; i.e., if you turn the jet, does the wheel move or does it even
matter....

I'll keep looking and report back here. I tried two suppliers
yesterday, but both said I needed to talk to the manufacturer. The
manufacturer says I need to talk to the dealer. The dealer doesn't
know... Figures...

--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com

Larry, you described this as a jet ski. Does it have a wheel or handle
bars? I was envisioning more of a handle bar like arrangement and
rigging some way to connect the ram to one of the handle bars. Some of
the wheel pilots (like the one I have) afix a small rim to the inside of
a wheel that a belt goes around to actually turn the wheel.

Good luck - Dan

L. M. Rappaport wrote:

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 21:58:49 -0500, Rodney Myrvaagnes
wrote (with possible editing):


On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 20:53:41 GMT, L. M. Rappaport
wrote:


On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:37:07 GMT, "Daniel E. Best"
wrote (with possible editing):


Larry,
I'm not at all familiar with your boat, but would there be any way to
rig a tiller pilot to work? These are devices designed to by used by
sailboats w/ a tiller, but are often also used with some wind vanes
(like the monitor). They steer the boat to a compass heading, but most
can also be interfaced to accept NEMA and steer to a waypoint. Cost new
starts about $300

Dan,

Thanks for the tip. I'm not familiar with tiller pilots that
accept NEMA data, but now that I know there are some, I'll definitely
take a look. Thanks.

If all you need is to hold a straight line, you don't even need to
hook up the NMEA. The autopilot will follow the magnetic course you
start it on with its internal fluxgate compass.

I don't know how to mount a tiller pilot on a motor boat. I use one on
my sailboat with the emergency tiller. I do plan to hook up the NMEA
but it works without it.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


Thanks, guys,

Well, I did a little research and I'm not sure a tiller pilot
would work. The inexpensive models seem to be designed to connect to
a conventional tiller. When you step up a bit, it looks like you
replace the wheel with a new assembly.

I'm going to have to first figure out what kind of steering
linkage is being used he I know it's not cables, but I don't know
if it's hydraulic or mechanical. Then I have to figure out how much
travel, and whether or not you can move the jet without turning the
wheel; i.e., if you turn the jet, does the wheel move or does it even
matter....

I'll keep looking and report back here. I tried two suppliers
yesterday, but both said I needed to talk to the manufacturer. The
manufacturer says I need to talk to the dealer. The dealer doesn't
know... Figures...

--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com

--
Dan Best - (707) 431-1662, Healdsburg, CA 95448
B-2/75 1977-1979
Tayana 37 #192, "Tricia Jean"
http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/TriciaJean.JPG

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 17:58:39 GMT, Dan Best wrote
(with possible editing):

Larry, you described this as a jet ski. Does it have a wheel or handle
bars? I was envisioning more of a handle bar like arrangement and
rigging some way to connect the ram to one of the handle bars. Some of
the wheel pilots (like the one I have) afix a small rim to the inside of
a wheel that a belt goes around to actually turn the wheel.

Good luck - Dan

....snip

Dan,

Well, actually I said: "It is a jet boat powered by
a 200 hp Merc". At 18.5' it would be quite a personal watercraft!
Yes, it has a wheel. It seats 8 (6 comfortably) and looks like a
runabout for all intents and purposes. The only significant
difference is that it is powered by a jet with no lower unit or
anything below the keel to smash into rocks.

The wheel seems to be an enclosed unit with a cable or tube
coming out of it.

Thanks,
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com

Oops, sorry. Somehow I got the impression that we were talking about
some sort of large jet ski.

It seems to me though that this must be a solved problem. We sailors
can't be the only ones too lazy to stay at the helm all the time. Have
you tried contacting any dealers or marine stores that cater to the
power boater?

Take care - Dan

L. M. Rappaport wrote:

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 17:58:39 GMT, Dan Best wrote
(with possible editing):



Larry, you described this as a jet ski. Does it have a wheel or handle
bars? I was envisioning more of a handle bar like arrangement and
rigging some way to connect the ram to one of the handle bars. Some of
the wheel pilots (like the one I have) afix a small rim to the inside of
a wheel that a belt goes around to actually turn the wheel.

Good luck - Dan



...snip

Dan,

Well, actually I said: "It is a jet boat powered by
a 200 hp Merc". At 18.5' it would be quite a personal watercraft!
Yes, it has a wheel. It seats 8 (6 comfortably) and looks like a
runabout for all intents and purposes. The only significant
difference is that it is powered by a jet with no lower unit or
anything below the keel to smash into rocks.

The wheel seems to be an enclosed unit with a cable or tube
coming out of it.

Thanks,
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com








--
Dan Best - (707) 431-1662, Healdsburg, CA 95448
B-2/75 1977-1979
Tayana 37 #192, "Tricia Jean" http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/TriciaJean.JPG

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 15:42:00 GMT, "Daniel E. Best"
wrote (with possible editing):

Oops, sorry. Somehow I got the impression that we were talking about
some sort of large jet ski.

It seems to me though that this must be a solved problem. We sailors
can't be the only ones too lazy to stay at the helm all the time. Have
you tried contacting any dealers or marine stores that cater to the
power boater?

Take care - Dan

I'm sure somebody's solved this, I just haven't found them yet.
Autopilots tend to be expensive and are installed on larger yachts. I
think, therefore, that they might be out of reach of most of us
do-it-yourselfers. I.e., if you've got the money, you hire it all
out.

That never stopped me, however! I don't think it makes sense to spend
that kind of money on a boat which retails under $25k, yet I'd like to
solve the problem, so I'm willing to do a bit more research.

I live in northern NH and there are very few boat dealers up here.
What there are usually sell small, trailerable boats and there are no
boatyards. I've asked a few dealers, but no luck so far.

Thanks,
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com


L. M. Rappaport wrote:

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 17:58:39 GMT, Dan Best wrote
(with possible editing):



Larry, you described this as a jet ski. Does it have a wheel or handle
bars? I was envisioning more of a handle bar like arrangement and
rigging some way to connect the ram to one of the handle bars. Some of
the wheel pilots (like the one I have) afix a small rim to the inside of
a wheel that a belt goes around to actually turn the wheel.

Good luck - Dan



...snip

Dan,

Well, actually I said: "It is a jet boat powered by
a 200 hp Merc". At 18.5' it would be quite a personal watercraft!
Yes, it has a wheel. It seats 8 (6 comfortably) and looks like a
runabout for all intents and purposes. The only significant
difference is that it is powered by a jet with no lower unit or
anything below the keel to smash into rocks.

The wheel seems to be an enclosed unit with a cable or tube
coming out of it.

Thanks,
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 15:42:00 GMT, "Daniel E. Best"
wrote (with possible editing):

Oops, sorry. Somehow I got the impression that we were talking about
some sort of large jet ski.

It seems to me though that this must be a solved problem. We sailors
can't be the only ones too lazy to stay at the helm all the time. Have
you tried contacting any dealers or marine stores that cater to the
power boater?

Take care - Dan

I'm sure somebody's solved this, I just haven't found them yet.
Autopilots tend to be expensive and are installed on larger yachts. I
think, therefore, that they might be out of reach of most of us
do-it-yourselfers. I.e., if you've got the money, you hire it all
out.

That never stopped me, however! I don't think it makes sense to spend
that kind of money on a boat which retails under $25k, yet I'd like to
solve the problem, so I'm willing to do a bit more research.

I live in northern NH and there are very few boat dealers up here.
What there are usually sell small, trailerable boats and there are no
boatyards. I've asked a few dealers, but no luck so far.

Thanks,
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com


L. M. Rappaport wrote:

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 17:58:39 GMT, Dan Best wrote
(with possible editing):



Larry, you described this as a jet ski. Does it have a wheel or handle
bars? I was envisioning more of a handle bar like arrangement and
rigging some way to connect the ram to one of the handle bars. Some of
the wheel pilots (like the one I have) afix a small rim to the inside of
a wheel that a belt goes around to actually turn the wheel.

Good luck - Dan



...snip

Dan,

Well, actually I said: "It is a jet boat powered by
a 200 hp Merc". At 18.5' it would be quite a personal watercraft!
Yes, it has a wheel. It seats 8 (6 comfortably) and looks like a
runabout for all intents and purposes. The only significant
difference is that it is powered by a jet with no lower unit or
anything below the keel to smash into rocks.

The wheel seems to be an enclosed unit with a cable or tube
coming out of it.

Thanks,
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com

Oops, sorry. Somehow I got the impression that we were talking about
some sort of large jet ski.

It seems to me though that this must be a solved problem. We sailors
can't be the only ones too lazy to stay at the helm all the time. Have
you tried contacting any dealers or marine stores that cater to the
power boater?

Take care - Dan

L. M. Rappaport wrote:

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 17:58:39 GMT, Dan Best wrote
(with possible editing):



Larry, you described this as a jet ski. Does it have a wheel or handle
bars? I was envisioning more of a handle bar like arrangement and
rigging some way to connect the ram to one of the handle bars. Some of
the wheel pilots (like the one I have) afix a small rim to the inside of
a wheel that a belt goes around to actually turn the wheel.

Good luck - Dan



...snip

Dan,

Well, actually I said: "It is a jet boat powered by
a 200 hp Merc". At 18.5' it would be quite a personal watercraft!
Yes, it has a wheel. It seats 8 (6 comfortably) and looks like a
runabout for all intents and purposes. The only significant
difference is that it is powered by a jet with no lower unit or
anything below the keel to smash into rocks.

The wheel seems to be an enclosed unit with a cable or tube
coming out of it.

Thanks,
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com








--
Dan Best - (707) 431-1662, Healdsburg, CA 95448
B-2/75 1977-1979
Tayana 37 #192, "Tricia Jean" http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/TriciaJean.JPG