Marinetechna: an Autopilot, More Than Any Other Electronic Device

An autopilot, more than any other electronic device, will add to your boating pleasure. Its high-tech capabili¬ties and natural controls give you the freedom to read charts and instruments, plot courses, or just enjoy lunch! Once considered a luxury, the autopilot has slowly become a staple of electronic gear. Of course, the conve¬nience of an autopilot doesn't relieve the skipper of the responsibility for keeping a proper lookout.

Recent technological advances have made autopilots more practical and more affordable. Plus, with modern circuitry and electronic wizardry, their power drain is min¬imal--many autopilots can be powered with a simple solar panel/battery system.

Autopilot manufacturers publish tables to help you select the right type and size unit for your boat. Remember, these are general guidelines-problems arise when a boater purchases a unit that is inadequate for anything but calm, friendly conditions. You'll really appre¬ciate your autopilot when everything's breaking loose and what you need more than anything is another pair of hands to steer the boat. As you search for the right unit, there are several factors to keep in mind:

1. Use the weight of your boat when it's fully loaded when comparing recommended displacement figures.

2. Look at your boat's specific helm characteristics. How much load (or resistance) does your helm impose under extreme conditions? How much power (thrust) will you require?

3. Determine your helm adjustment needs in order to coun¬teract heavy downwind seas. An appropriate helm response time will save power, as well as wear and tear.

4. Figure out how far the helm must be turned to determine how long a "throw" your unit must have. This is a function of the type and size of your rudder and the efficiency of your particular steering system.

Recommended additions:

1) Autopilots can interface with the boat's instruments, and use the wind angle information from the masthead sensor. This allows the pilot to follow a course relative to the wind direction, while using the compass to smooth out heading changes.

2) Both powerboat and sailboat owners can benefit by interfacing their pilots to a GPS, which provides course corrections to the pilot so that it heads directly for a waypoint. This is especially helpful when windage or current would otherwise cause the boat to go off-course. Interfacing to a GPS may require a separate interface box, or might be built into the pilot.

3) Most autopilots have optional remote hand controls that can provide remote compass or instrument readouts, man overboard functions, course dodging and the ability to change the steering characteristics of the pilot.