Reader tip of the week: How the tiller pilot also works with wheel steering

A permanently installed self-steering system is comparatively expensive and complex to install - at least compared to a tiller pilot. As we already had such a device, we considered whether we could use it with a wheel steering system. And despite the wheel, we actually have a tiller on board: the emergency tiller. The holder in the rudder coker is located directly behind the steering wheel under a flap.

We have had a smaller emergency tiller made, onto which the tiller pilot can be attached at the side. This is fitted with a steel plate that is inserted into a stainless steel guide specially attached to the cockpit wall. The cable for the power supply goes into the cockpit locker to the protected socket installed there.

The autopilot is handy and small, can be put into operation in a flash, and there is still enough space behind the wheel to intervene in the steering if necessary.

- Andreas Mengen, Spay

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