Tiller Pilot vs Linear Drive Autopilot: What to Choose

What a tiller pilot and a linear drive autopilot are

The first question a sailboat owner asks when comparing autopilots is how the unit moves the rudder. A tiller pilot is a self-contained cockpit unit that pushes the tiller directly with a pushrod. A linear drive autopilot uses a below-deck mechanical drive connected to the boat's steering system. The two names describe two different ways of applying steering force, and the choice starts with how your boat steers.

Raymarine's autopilot packs page lists the ST1000+ and ST2000+ as self-contained cockpit tiller autopilots for sailboats. Its drive units page lists the Type 1 Linear Drive Unit as a mechanical linear autopilot drive. Both are legitimate autopilot options, but they serve different steering layouts. A tiller pilot belongs in the cockpit; a linear drive works below deck as part of a larger autopilot system. For a closer look at each category, the tiller pilot guide and the sailboat autopilot guide compare listings on stated details.

• Tiller pilot: one unit in the cockpit, pushrod to the tiller, built-in controls
• Linear drive autopilot: below-deck drive, course computer, sensor, and a separate control head in most packs

How each mounts on the boat

A tiller pilot mounts in the cockpit. It attaches to the tiller with a pushrod and to the cockpit side with a bracket, in general terms. Raymarine calls its cockpit unit a cockpit tiller drive: an electric drive unit for tiller-steered sailing boats. Because the unit carries its own controls, a tiller pilot pack does not need a separate control head in the box.

A linear drive mounts below deck and connects to the boat's mechanical steering, typically at the rudder stock or quadrant. Raymarine describes its drive units as the part that interfaces with the vessel's steering system. Because a linear drive is out of the cockpit, you direct it from a control head or a networked display. Installation of either system is not something this article covers: the maker's manual and a qualified installer decide how the unit goes onto the boat. For more on the difference between drive types, see how drive types are explained.

What the pack includes

Tiller pilot packs are named as complete units. The Raymarine packs page lists the ST1000+, ST2000+, and EV-100 Tiller for small sailboats. A tiller pilot pack generally includes the drive and the controls in one self-contained unit, so the title names the whole autopilot.

Linear drive autopilots are sold as packs that name the line and the drive. The same Raymarine page lists the EV-200 Sail Pilot for mid-sized sailboats with mechanical steering and the EV-400 Sail Pilot for large sailboats. A pack may include a drive, an actuator control unit, and a heading sensor; a control head may be in the box or sold separately. Read the title and the bullet list to see what the listing names. If you keep an existing drive, a core pack without a drive may fit, and the core pack guide compares those listings.

Control and network connections

A tiller pilot has a built-in keypad, so you set the heading on the unit itself. A linear drive system is directed from a control head, such as a p70 in general terms, or from a compatible chartplotter on a marine network. The control head options guide describes what a control head does.

Marine electronics share data over standards such as NMEA 2000, which the National Marine Electronics Association describes as a low-cost, moderate-capacity, bidirectional instrument network for interconnecting marine electronic devices. The maker's page states what a system accepts, and this article makes no compatibility claims. For more on networks, see the NMEA 2000 connectivity article.

Which suits your boat

The deciding question is the steering. A tiller-steered sailboat points to a tiller pilot. Raymarine states that its cockpit tiller drive is for tiller-steered sailing boats up to 6,000 kg (13,000 lbs.) displacement. A boat with a tiller and a modest size fits that description, but the maker's page and a dealer decide the fit for your boat, not this article.

A wheel-steered sailboat with a below-deck steering system points to a linear drive. Raymarine lists the Type 1 Linear Drive Unit for boats up to 11,000 kg (24,000 lbs.) displacement. The EV-200 Sail Pilot pack is for mid-sized sailboats with mechanical steering, and the EV-400 Sail Pilot is for large sailboats. These are stated details, not a promise that a unit suits every boat in that range. If you are starting from a tiller, read the tiller steering article before you compare.

Questions to ask before you buy

Installation of either system is the job of the boat owner per the maker's manual, a qualified installer, or a dealer. This site gives no installation instructions, and no article here claims a unit is easy to fit. What you can do is ask the right questions before you choose between a tiller pilot and a linear drive.

Use the autopilot with control head guide if you want the control head included, or the complete autopilot pack guide for a full system.

• What steering does the boat have: tiller, wheel, or a below-deck mechanical system?
• Does the listing include a control head, or is it sold separately?
• Do you plan to keep an existing drive and buy only the electronics?
• Which network does the autopilot use to talk to other instruments?
• What does the maker's page say about the displacement range for the drive?

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Can a tiller pilot work on a wheel-steered sailboat?

A tiller pilot is built for tiller steering. A wheel-steered boat uses a different drive, such as a linear drive, matched to the boat's steering. The maker's page and a dealer decide the fit.

Do I need a control head with a linear drive autopilot?

In general terms, a linear drive system is operated from a control head or a compatible network display. Some packs include the head; others sell it separately. Read the pack name and the bullet list to see what is in the box.

What is a core pack in this comparison?

A core pack supplies the electronics, such as a course computer and a sensor, without a drive, for an owner who keeps an existing drive. A tiller pilot is self-contained, so the idea of a core pack usually applies to drive-based systems such as a linear drive.

Which is easier to compare on a listing?

Tiller pilots are named as self-contained units, for example ST1000+ and ST2000+. Linear drive systems are named by their drive type and the pack, for example EV-200 Sail Pilot. The title and bullet list show what the listing includes.

Do these systems connect to a chartplotter?

In general terms, autopilots share data over marine networks such as NMEA 2000, which lets compatible equipment exchange commands and status. The maker's page states what the system accepts.