auto pilot for Com-Pac 16

[kldubois]

Anyone have experience with tiller/auto pilot for their 16?

[Craig Weis]

Well for me, I do not think that you have enough battery power on a C-P 16 to drive a tiller steering device for more then a very short time simply because...typically there is not a good way to charge the battery while at 'sea'...anyway that is how I look at it. Skip.

Hands off the tiller sailing can be done. However I just use the short Forespar telescoping arm attached to the  underside  of the tiller and the other end, which is a ball that fit's into a socket, one on both sides of the cockpit combing just about even with the attachement point under the tiller. About 90 deg to same. Uses no power.
I have sailed for over an hour without touching the tiller, or sheets. It was fun! Great balance.

[fafnir]

I picked up an auto pilot for my c-16 last fall,  have not installed it yet but I will at some point this summer.  It is nice to have when you are by yourself.  There should be plenty of battery power in a deep cycle marine battery to keep the thing going with occasional use for quite a few days.  Its not like you need the autopilot to steer you across the atlantic :-)

[pelican]

Anyone have experience with tiller/auto pilot for their 16?

No experience on the Compacs but some on the larger sail/power boats.
IMO, one of the greatest joys and challenges to sailing our small boats is doing without all the gadgets. Although thats just me and alot of others enjoy playing with that stuff.

I like the idea of a simple self steering like Skipp mentioned, simple and no battery to run down

Regards and safe sailing
Terry