Is an auto helm essential?

Wing Mark said:
Are you assuming singlehanded?
Some people would say singlehanded across Biscay is a grim proposition.

20 years ago, I did few long trips with no autopilot, it was not uncommon.
Not singlehanded.
Once you're in a watch system steering for 4 hours on, four off is not that hard. If you can do 24 hours like that, you can probably do several days.
With 3 people it's easier still.
If you're going to be on watch, you almost might as well be steering.

One might question why some people think they need to do passages beyond what they actually enjoy sailing?

Don't misunderstand me, an autopilot is a luxury I'm happy to pay for, but it only becomes 'essential if you pile in a lot of constraints.
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Crossed the Pacific twice, with crew (4 there, 3 back), 3600 miles each way, no AP.

I have to say, the boundary between Luxury and necessity became a wee bit blurred.

On the way back we had to do 1500 miles to weather and were able to get the boat balanced and to steer herself. Hallelujah!

I love these theory/reality discussions!
 
scottie said:
Should an auto helm be first on item on the list of extras?
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Really depends on what type of single handed sailing you do.

My longest single handed passage this summer was Lowestoft to Scarborough and it was needed. If you are doing short day sails then a bit of cordage to lash the tiller/wheel should give you enough time to do stuff.

I recommend a couple of pouches to hang off the guard rails for a water bottle, food, binoculars and all the bits and bobs you might need.
 
On our last boat we sailed across channel from cherbourg to Solent without one after electric issues caused by incometent marine electrician -it’s possible with a crew of 2 but not ideal but a lot turns on vessel and journeys surely. Do use in Solent when hoisting sails as makes it one person operation if you need to do this and if you are just motoring to catch a tidal gate say it so much easier with it on and also when you are entering waypoints etc just leave it on . Likewise in night crossings means you can sit tucked under the screen/hood/hardtop and let the boat plough on .
 
Would be interested to know if more of the people with below decks auto pilot think they are essential as its just easy to use v the ones that have a tiller pilot which for some boats is not such a great thing ?
 
Rappey said:
Would be interested to know if more of the people with below decks auto pilot think they are essential as its just easy to use v the ones that have a tiller pilot which for some boats is not such a great thing ?
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Have had three boats with autopilots:
- tiller pilot - useful for motoring in the rain but otherwise rarely used and only in easy conditions (and needed protected from rain as not waterproof!)
- wheel pilot - massively more useful as able to be switched in instantly when needed - but struggled in waves, the little clutches tended to fail (and disengage suddenly and dangerously - hence used shock cord to hold on), and the guide wheels for the drive belt tend to fail so had to repair/replace three times in 7 years (sailing home singlehanded with ropes from wheel through stern cleats to companionway)
- ram drive below deck - stunningly, massively better - instantly engaged, and much more robust, has handled pretty serious wind and waves, helms 95% of time when on board solo, better at helming than me in many conditions
 
Rappey said:
Would be interested to know if more of the people with below decks auto pilot think they are essential as its just easy to use v the ones that have a tiller pilot which for some boats is not such a great thing ?
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I would think a full 'below decks' system suggests a bigger boat, longer trips, and more £££ commitment to wanting an autopilot?

Would an autopilot be 'essential' in a private plane or helicopter?
 
Rappey said:
I would agree with that. Was out in a force 8 with beam seas and wind.. auto pilot did a great job but every time i took over i was losing control of the boat..
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Does that not worry you, not being able to sail in beam seas and strong winds?
 
dunedin said:
Have had three boats with autopilots:
- tiller pilot - useful for motoring in the rain but otherwise rarely used and only in easy conditions (and needed protected from rain as not waterproof!)
- wheel pilot - massively more useful as able to be switched in instantly when needed - but struggled in waves, the little clutches tended to fail (and disengage suddenly and dangerously - hence used shock cord to hold on), and the guide wheels for the drive belt tend to fail so had to repair/replace three times in 7 years (sailing home singlehanded with ropes from wheel through stern cleats to companionway)
- ram drive below deck - stunningly, massively better - instantly engaged, and much more robust, has handled pretty serious wind and waves, helms 95% of time when on board solo, better at helming than me in many conditions
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I have had the same AP for 30 years and it has shifted boats with me. It is a wheelpilot of the first generation with zero smarts and no interface or even a pretense of sophistication. I bought it used off a guy on a trimaran in San Diego for $200. It is a California built CPT and, supposedly, watertight to military specs. This was never tested as it has always lived under cover. By now it has done a few tens of thousands of miles. I had it serviced once, not because it was not working, but because I was hoping the company could improve sensitivity; it didn't.

My previous 50', 30t lifting keel cutter and it never got on well. It didn't appear sensitive or quick enough to react in a timely fashion, with the strange and curious exception of steering in rough conditions; the rougher, the better.

It now lives in the wheelhouse of our Watson 32. It was love at first sight for the two and it steers the boat in all conditions without fail, even downwind and under spinnaker in 30kts of wind and steep quartering seas. We have logged over 10,000 miles since re-partnering 'Arnold" with Ann. We are still on our first and original 40 year old drive belt. The Watson came originally with a below deck hydraulic pilot, but it lost it's mind and was no longer serviceable. According to the previous owners it was never capable of steering the boat under sail.

Much of what is said about APs and their reliability obviously depends on the boat and the pilot.
 
An autopilot is vital. We (crew of two) managed happily without one for a year or so. Then one day we became immersed in fog. My experience was that it is impossible to hold a course by manual steering when there is no visual reference and instead you have to stare at your compass for hours. It works for a while and then your attention will wane and suddenly will realise that your heading is way off. It is ridiculously difficult to hold a course in fog when steering manually.

After that episode we purchased an autopilot. Subsequently when mid English Channel heading for the Channel Islands, the autopilot broke down. After continuing for six hours steering by hand, we berthed and proceeded immediately to a chandler to buy another unit. The first unit was repaired and we now carry two autopilots.

To answer your question directly, an autopilot should not be your first add-on. Two autopilots should be your first add-on :). One will be a good start though.
 
LiftyK said:
An autopilot is vital. We (crew of two) managed happily without one for a year or so. Then one day we became immersed in fog. My experience was that it is impossible to hold a course by manual steering when there is no visual reference and instead you have to stare at your compass for hours. It works for a while and then your attention will wane and suddenly will realise that your heading is way off. It is ridiculously difficult to hold a course in fog when steering manually.

After that episode we purchased an autopilot. Subsequently when mid English Channel heading for the Channel Islands, the autopilot broke down. After continuing for six hours steering by hand, we berthed and proceeded immediately to a chandler to buy another unit. The first unit was repaired and we now carry two autopilots.

To answer your question directly, an autopilot should not be your first add-on. Two autopilots should be your first add-on :). One will be a good start though.
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I second the above...

at night or in fog or in really bad weather the ability of the AP to hold a course dependably is the difference between being completely frazzled and being just a little frazzled ...
 
When I first got a tiller steered 22 footer, going out for the day with the family or w/e trips with about 3 hours sailing, self steering wasn't necessary. The first summer holiday we took and crossed Lyme bay, all was ok until I needed to go to the heads, wife took the tiller and we ended up going in circles, she couldn't get the hang of a tiller. The next crossing we did, I had an autohelm, since then, I've never been without one.
If I take anyone out sailing now, when we are out into open water the a/h goes on and I say "If you want to steer, feel free to. When you've had enough, just press the a/h Auto button".
I don't normally do short 2 or 3 hour passages, mostly solo, so for me an auto steering system is under the heading of essential.
 
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