Wheel Autopilots

[Mister E]

I may be wrong bit I think terminology is the issue here. If you mean wheel pilot to be the equivalent of a tiller pilot for wheel steered boats, it is, kind of, but not quite
The replies are referring to a wheelpilot as a system that attaches a belt directly to a drum added to the wheel. The better system and the one you will need is a linear ram drive, and this attaches directly to the steering quadrant itself, and steers the boat like that, the wheel justfollows what the quadrant does.
Thats my roughunderstanding of it and I dont think anyone actually answered this question. Apologies if I have it all wrong.

The reason for my question was the simple answer with no real explanation, not just me being awkward but hoping an answer for a person new to sailing.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The reason for my question was the simple answer with no real explanation, not just me being awkward but hoping an answer for a person new to sailing.

My asnswer was straightforward enough and even included an example make and range.

 

[Tranona]

The reason for my question was the simple answer with no real explanation, not just me being awkward but hoping an answer for a person new to sailing.

Maybe a bit more explanation is required. Autopilots came in only recently (last 40 years) and had to a adapt to existing steering system of many different types. Some are easier than others. Wheel steered boats are particularly difficult as are larger tiller steered boats. On many wheel steered boats designed before autopilots attaching a drive to the rudder stock that was powerful enough to do the job was difficult so the easiest alternative was to drive the existing wheel through a belt from a motor attached to the pedestal. This is known as a wheelpilot but the power that can be applied is limited because of space for the motor and the belt. The one design that has proved reasonably successful is the Raymarine, but its power limitations mean that the size of boat it can control is also limited, There are many boats that need an autopilot but are too big for that design and need the more powerful direct acting type, either a ram to the rudder stock or an electric motor acting on the chain drive from the wheel.

For owners of boats in this marginal area it is a dilemma. What are termed "proper" autopilots are both expensive, typically twice the price because of the better kit and often structural work to retrofit, but may not even be possible. Even when it is possible there is still the price barrier - hence a "proper" installation is rejected for that reason.

More recent designs since autopilots became the norm are designed with fitment of them in mind. So my Bavaria 37 had a wheel pilot because fitting a proper underdeck unit was difficult - actually impossible with what was available at the time it was built in 2001, although is possible now. It was fine for light airs but could not cope with heavy weather, plus it broke too many times!. My later 2015 Bavaria 33 was designed from the start for fitment of an autopilot and had a Garmin/Jefa electric motor built into the steering pedestal.

Similar issue with larger tiller steered boats, say 9m+ Where the rams used which attach to the tiller become marginal in terms of power and not convenient to operate but a better ram operating direct on the rudder stock is impossible to retrofit. Like wheel steered boats, more recent designs often have an underdeck ram incorporated in the design, although very few new tiller steered boat, at least cruising monohulls are actually built these days. Most of the developments are for offshore racing monos and multihulls that have little relevance to mainstream cruising boats.

Hope this helps

Edit
I should have added that the below decks pilot drives have a clutch meaning that they run freely when not engaged and engaging is just pressing a button on the control head. Wheel pilots need to be manually engaged using a rather crude friction mechanism before turning on the electronics by pressing the button. Similarly tiller pilots need manual attachment.

 

[Mister E]

Thanks.
How do the hydraulic units sit in the range?

 

[Tranona]

Just another variation of drive for use when the steering system is by hydraulics rather than mechanical. Another variation is cable drive as used for big outboard powered boats, or sometimes for wheel or tiller steered boats that do not have room for a rigid telescopic ram. That is the type of drive that would work on my Bav 37 but is only a recent addition to the drive options.

 

[roaringgirl]

Our boat is 12T. The autopilot is a raymarine 'linear drive' motor which drives the wheel shaft via a chain. It is extremely effective and has never failed to be up to the job, even when surfing some rather large waves in the south Pacific at 2x the hull speed.

 

[Refueler]

Under the Col Regs it is a requirement to keep a proper watch at all times, I think this applies to all the seas of the world. so in theory you should never leave the helm. But if you are travelling at 3-4 knots and there is nothing in front or behind you for 1-2 miles and its a wide river no harm done. I always bear in mind speed boats or fast fishing boats doing 15-20 knots which can appear out of no where but they should under the rules only be doing 6 knots max. (seldom are) To give you an example I could set my auto steer as I leave Harwich heading down the Stour and not need to touch it for an hour and a half especially if I was sailing.

Proper Watch does not mean you must be on the helm. It just means that you should attentive at all times to the surroundings and take correct action when necessary.
Having helm on auto is perfectly acceptable ....

My boats in fact - I literally auto till last moment before tieing up .... only taking in hand if need to quickly alter course due some twit with Blue Ensign or MOBO with wide open 'sod em all' throttle ...

Entering Portsmouth .. Langstone ... Chichester as eaxmples ... rarely had any problem under auto .... even with bank holiday mob out !!

Once you understand that the average Youtube Yottie is going to ignore channel use and hog centre .. you keep well to stbd out of the way ....