Anyone using a Robertson autopilot?

[wotayottie]

and specifically steering by the wind?

I have an AP3000x but have so far failed to get it to talk to the Raymarine wind instruments. Before I spend another £150 on getting it to do so, I wanted to know whether steering by the wind actually worked well or not. Specifically, does it work hard on the wind ie is it sensitive and responsive enough to avoid luffing?

 

[earlybird]

I use an ST4000 autopilot, not the same I know, interfaced with my Raymarine ST60+ Wind. The "steer to wind" feature is of little value IMHO. Response is slow, nowhere near that of a human. To avoid being taken aback when close-hauled in anything but the steadiest wind, it is necessary to sail 10 or 15 deg off. It perhaps can be of minor use in say a Sea Loch, where there is a gradual "wind-bend" across the loch, but generally you might as well steer to compass. I wouldn't dream of spending an extra £150 to fit it.

 

[david36]

We have an all Simrad/Robertson set-up on the boat and the wind based autopilot option works reasonably well. However, we rarely us it as the heading option seems to do what we require so very well. The only time we are inclined to use the wind option at all is if we know we will not be available to spot a wind shift at an early stage eg both asleep, but this is very rare. I do recall from when we had it fitted that you must have a very good compass heading input, our original had to be upgraded. Why we needed an improved source of heading data for a wind direction based system is beyond my pay grade, but we did!

If you need a source of expertese on Roberton/ Simrad matters try Maricom of Hamble Point.

Good luck and fair winds