Best location to connect tiller pilot to tiller

[johnnyonspot]

I recently purchased a Simrad TP10 tiller pilot and am wondering where on the tiller to hookup the rod end. It has 8 inches of travel, so I need to keep in mind how far the effective travel of the rudder will be (further toward end of tiller = less travel and therefore less turning effect, closer to stern = more travel and more turning effect) while at the same time considering the amount of mechanical advantage the pilot will have (further toward end of tiller = greater mechanical advantage and viceversa). Anyone ever installed one and have experience with this? Any informed thoughts are appreciated.

[James V]

Usually my wheel pilot does not correct more than 15 degrees, so anywhere you will have a 20 degree on the rudder should be fine.

2 things to worry about (not really that bad). Protect the pilot from water and spray to extend life. Also, some have reported damag on tiller pilots when the boat is thrown by a BIG bow wave so a quick disconnect would be advised, this datum is several years old and may have been correct by now..

[Frank C]

I think you can trust Simrad. They know you need adequate rudder angle and they know that 8" travel was their practical design length. Assuming you bought the model recommended for a 25' sailboat, they know how much tiller force they will encounter. Place it on your tiller where the last four inches of travel will push the rudder from on-center to full lock (or at least 85% to full lock).

I found it interesting that the draglink on my 26X moves just about exactly 8 inches from starboard to port lock ... which just happens to be exactly the push rod travel of the Raymarine linear drive.

[James V]

I also trust Simrad. If there Wheel pilot was smaller I would have put that on my boat.

[johnnyonspot]

Stupid me. I looked at the manual again and it directs me to put the connection 18 inches from the center of the rudder stock. And I was mistaken about the travel distance from lock to lock; it is 10 inches, not 8.