Which autopilot for high performance boat?

[Speedyphil]

Having just ordered a Pogo 10.50 I am going through the options list and a bit shocked to discover that the recommended NKE autopilot is coming out at @11k euros, albeit including wind instrument log and depth.

Having used it before I know its very good and all but the instrument display is tiny and a Raymarine system with Gyro would be half the price.

Question is will it be as effective ( or indeed cope)on a high speed lightweight cruising boat?

 

[bbg]

Most of the Mini Transat boats use the NKE system. Not all, but a lot, which tells you something about its performance. I believe a lot of the other solo boats (60s etc) also use NKE. However a lot of minis also have a tiller pilot as well (Raymarine, Simrad, take your pick) which can either be run from the NKE computer or run independently. This is to save on power consumption when conditions are not demanding (because the NKE hydraulic ram is very power hungry) and as an independent backup.

The NKE system is very advanced. I spent some time on Sunday creating some preset "pages" for various conditions. You can adjust wind damping, speed coefficient, counter rudder, rudder offset, tack angle, tacking speed, gain etc. and set that as "Upwind light air". Then do it all again for light reaching, heavy downwind etc.

It depends what you want the system for. A lot of people who buy a Pogo will want optimal performance, so I assume some will go for the NKE. Other systems will work very well, but with the NKE you will probably extract that little bit more - if you spend the time to set up the system properly, and are prepared to deal with the power consumption.

As for the displays, you can get different displays. PM me or post another message if you want more info.

Edit - the short answer to your question is that another system will cope in almost all conditions. Maybe all conditions. In most conditions you would probably see little if any difference. But in some conditions it might not cope quite as well as the NKE. The big advantage of the NKE is that it is hydraulic so it has immense power and can react very quickly.

PS - congratulations on your choice. I'm sure you'll love it!

 

[Speedyphil]

Thanks for that - I suspect from what you are saying that as we are primarily aiming to cruise the boat ( although teenage son has other ideas) the raymarine will do a good job for us - and will be slightly quieter and less energy hungry.

Sounds like you are going to be a good person to know over the next few months as this type of boat is a new departure for us, although we fell in love with the performance when we chartered one last year

Thanks again

 

[ridgy]

Oooh, where did you charter such a fine vessel from, and if you don't mind my asking, how much was it?.

 

[bbg]

I suggest you speak with Structures about it, and see what they say. Possibly even speak with other owners if you can. I have to say that all of my comments are based on a smaller boat (Pogo 2) and I have assumed that much the same applies to the 10.50. Unfortunately I've only ever admired a 10.50 from the dock.

 

[Speedyphil]

We chartered from Viniloc at a cost of around about 2k Euro per week and 4k Euro deposit - worth every penny! Most amazing thing was that I couldn't prize my wife off the tiller, and she has never shown much interest in helming before! Spent 2 weeks with broad smiles on our faces.

http://www.viniloc.com/

 

[jamesjermain]

NKE is a French system (obviously?) but even the French production builders tend to fit other systems. Service and spares outside France is, I understand, not as good as for other popular, internationally available systems (although ther situation with Raymarine remains fluid). My only experience of using NKE was not a success but it was some time ago.

 

[Speedyphil]

NKE is a French system (obviously?) but even the French production builders tend to fit other systems. Service and spares outside France is, I understand, not as good as for other popular, internationally available systems (although ther situation with Raymarine remains fluid). My only experience of using NKE was not a success but it was some time ago.

-

Thanks James - which autopilot do you have on your Dazcat? must have to cope with even higher speeds but less heeling forces etc I suppose

 

[rwoofer]

Lovely choice of boat. Had thought about a Pogo and ending up going for a more cruising orientated RM instead. Although not as high performance as a Pogo (nearest version would be the Pogo 850) Raymarine tiller pilot seems to cope fine for most conditions. If at all concerned I would just overspec the ram.