auto pilot

[powerskipper]

Was playing with the new Garmin auto pilot and plotter, some interesting features on it.
For example. if you have it engaged and you turn the wheel hard, [ big turn , it will ignore little ones] once you straiten the helm again, it will turn on again and maintain that heading, you have to ask it to continue if following a route.

So how much do you use your auto pilot if fitted?,

If I am on a boat that has it fitted and on a longer passage I use it.

 

[Ripster]

We have a Garmin plotter talking to Raymarine AP and all works fine and follows routes etc, but TBH we only really use it when doing some long straight (or fairly straight) legs or when we want to slow down and make a cup of tea/lunch or something during a trip.

 

[Bandit]

In congested waters, close navigation and ports I steer by wheel in clear water its autopilot all the time even in heavy weather.

Most of the time i use track as well rather than a compass heading.

Autopilot allows you to keep a better all round watch and to see whats going on with the radar and plotter.

 

[ccscott49]

I use manual steering, only when approaching something, harbour, rocks, beach, ("hard bits") anchorage etc virtually all other times use the autopilot. When shorthanded, (most of the time) its an extra pair of hands, especially getting sails up and down etc.

 

[LittleShip]

Fitted mine last summer as I was going off to Scotland this year..... just couldnt have managed without it.

I have to say , although it's all singing and dancing I tend to use it for stright lines rather than routes. It's a Raymarine X10 and I find the dodge facility very good.

Tom

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I put the boat on AP virtually as soon as I leave the marina and even steer using the dodge buttons. This is because I'm too idle to use the wheel

 

[MapisM]

It's simply a matter of whether you're helming a really fast boat or a cruising vessel.
The former typically don't even have an A/P, and you must actually drive them anyway.
With the latter, I probably touch the wheel less than 1% of the time.

 

[aquapower]

I allways use the Autopilot and track as quite often do 200nm or more in a day and gives you more time to concentrate on whats going on around you and customers are usually asking lots of questions.

 

[maverickofpoole]

I use mine as soon as I leave the berth even through the harbour. It's the first ap I have owned and wouldn't be without one now.

Martin

 

[ccscott49]

Fitted mine last summer as I was going off to Scotland this year..... just couldnt have managed without it.

I have to say , although it's all singing and dancing I tend to use it for stright lines rather than routes. It's a Raymarine X10 and I find the dodge facility very good.

Tom

I dont let mine do routes, the only interface betwixt autopilot and plotter is ME! Keeps insurance premiums down! hehehe

 

[oceanfroggie]

Virtually all the time except when maneouvering in close quarters. It's an essential aid to reduce fatigue on long trips as well as free me from helm, walk about the boat, chill out and interact with others in a more relaxed manner. I simply couldn't have managed some long passages without it.

In very rough weather with say a following sea I find it helpful to hand steer to avoid mal du Mer and track more logically with the wave pattern.