A12005 Raymarine ST2000+ Tiller Pilot

The Raymarine ST2000+ is a classic autopilot for tiller-steered boats, favored by thousands of sailors with smaller yachts. It is a completely self-contained unit – essentially a cylindrical rod (tiller driver) that attaches between the tiller and the boat’s side to steer automatically. The ST2000+ is rated for vessels up to approximately 4,500 kg (10,000 lbs) displacement, which covers typical sailboats in the 20–30 ft range. This model is the more powerful of Raymarine’s two popular tiller pilots (ST1000+ and ST2000+), providing faster response and greater thrust for slightly larger boats.

The ST2000+ combines both the drive mechanism and the control electronics in one unit. Inside its rugged, waterproof housing are an electric motor with a linear actuator (which attaches to the tiller) and a precision electronic compass (fluxgate). Using the six large buttons on the top panel, the skipper can set the course, make fine adjustments (in 1° or 10° increments), and activate special functions. The small LCD screen displays the current heading, selected mode, and other data, with backlighting for night visibility.

The autopilot can operate on its own or interface with onboard electronics. Through its SeaTalk or NMEA 0183 port, the ST2000+ can receive data from GPS chartplotters or wind instruments, allowing it to steer to a waypoint or hold a wind angle. For example, you can set it to follow a pre-planned GPS route (track mode) or maintain a specific angle to the wind (wind vane mode) when sailing. The AutoTack feature will automatically turn the boat through the wind at the push of a button, making single-handed tacks easier, while AutoSeastate intelligently adjusts the pilot’s sensitivity based on sea conditions to save power and avoid unnecessary rudder movements.

The ST2000+ is designed for coastal and offshore sailing, providing reliable performance in moderate conditions. The manufacturer advises using it primarily for coastal cruising, as for extended ocean passages and severe weather it’s better to rely on more powerful, permanently installed autopilots. In such cases – or if your boat exceeds ~4.5 tons – Raymarine offers Evolution autopilots like the EV-100 Tiller (for boats up to 6,000 kg) or other higher-end solutions. Within its class, however, the ST2000+ stands out for its ease of use, quick setup/removal, and dependable course keeping. It greatly reduces the workload on solo sailors or small crews, making sailing safer and more enjoyable.