Tiller pilot extensions

ST1000+ with extension arm

 Finally got the ram arm extensions on order, it took a few months to get here and they arrived in October. They are strong and precision engineered from the finest alloys known to man. These ones were manufactured in Hungary, to the highest quality and precision, nice work. They screwed onto the ST1000 perfectly, adding 8 inches to the ram arm length. (Received two x 4" extensions, they don't make 8" ones. The available lengths were 1", 2", 4" and 6".)

Black extension arm, suitable for Investigator 563 TS

However it was a long saga to get the extensions operational. Flashing back, to earlier in the year before ordering these in.

I tried to buy them locally, but strangely no-one in North Queensland, even marine electronics specialists, stocks such specialized parts. Perhaps no one in Brisbane or even the whole country Australia had them in stock either? (Surely Sydney, NSW our sailing central, might have a few spares? who knows) 

So tried to get an 8" extension fabricated. Took the tillerpilot to a small Engineering workshop in Townsville who can fabricate most tricky things on boats at a good price if needed. However it turned out that the tillerpilot uses very rare and bizzare thread types, not the usual ones. It could be done but the bizzare thread tap and dye kit to do it would cost over $300, then fitter and turner labor/skills costs on top. so about $500. The "tap and dye" kit would not be used again for ages, if ever. So had to ditch that idea and order in the genuine parts (for $90). 

I'm wondering if Simrad tillerpilots have similar issues for their tillerpilot arm extensions? 

Simrad TP 10 tiller pilot

There is a good case in Australia for buying second hand tillerpilots with extension arms and other hardware pre-fitted. (with the downside of possible mechanical problems, getting spare parts/repair done)

One Investigator owner picked up a TP10 with 4" extension for A$100 second hand online. He lengthened the extension to 8" by cutting the old solid extension arm one in half and tapping a stainless steel threaded rod into the old extensions halves. 

Another part to Teria's tillerpilot extension arm saga. About 2 weeks after my parts arrived, the business I ordered them through, a "Boating and RV" store (formerly Bias boating) and my favorite sailboat chandlers here for over a decade, sadly had to close down.