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While bringing Chip Ahoy around
Marblehead from the
launch ramp last
week, the tiller-pilot began failing,
sounding like a coffee grinder -- something had broken in the gearing
mechanism for sure. When I removed it from its mount and shook it, I could hear
loose pieces rattling around inside. I took it home with me and yesterday
morning took it
apart.
Upon inspection, sure enough broken
pieces of the gear mechanism fell out, along with ball bearings.
This is quite inexplicable, as the ST2000 is designed to steer a much
bigger boat than Chip Ahoy -- (up to 36' sailing vessels up to 10,000
lbs. displacement) -- it's overkill for my boat, but I'd given up on the
ST1000 after two wouldn't work.
I'll take it back to the Raymarine service
center this week, where hopefully they'll get it running in time for
this year's cruise (to Cape Cod) in another couple of weeks. This
is becoming way too frustrating, especially for the cost I've now paid.
(Jul. 4, 2006)
A drive up to
Merrimack, NH, about half an hour waiting in the lobby, and my ST2000
tiller-pilot was serviced, the entire internal gear mechanism replaced,
and I'm assured by Lee Tang that it's now working as good as new.
We'll see when I get it back out to Chip Ahoy! (Jul. 5, 2006)
It's still working properly, will wonders never cease! (Oct. 26,
2006 -- hauling out for the
season) |
