Acheron2010
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2017
- Messages
- 151
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Saoirse
- Vessel Make
- 1983 Nauticat 44 Ketch
Don't be this guy.
Just an update on the above. AP will take a route (multiple waypoints) from a GPS and follow the route - however I believe that no AP will make the next turn for you. It will notify you when it is time to accept the next waypoint but, in case there are reasons the turn should not be made, it will not do it for you. That is certainly the case with my dual set up.
Don't be this guy.
To clarify, an AP won't use multiple waypoints.
Autopilots are like having an extra person on the boat.
95% + of all our boating is done with an Autopilot. However, we never leave one unattended or with no one on watch. That includes stepping below for a snack or to use the restroom or any other reason. If we need to take a break we have someone else take over and if there isn't someone else available, then we stop or idle long enough to do whatever we need to do. We don't continue at speed while not on watch. I know that's probably very much a minority view here of zero tolerance but when you create a grey area it seems to just keep expanding.
Well, an autopilot can do several things. At its basic function, it follows any course (compass direction) that you set. Coupled with a chartplotter, it can follow a route or towards a waypoint that you have set on your chartplotter. Most waypoint following has the ability to dodge obstacles and then return to the course.
I use mine mostly to just follow a course. In open water, I can duck below to get a snack, but I first look around, note any traffic that might be a problem and if nothing is threatening for a few minutes, I will go down below for a minute or so.
I also use it to follow a tight ICW channel. This takes constant attention, adjusting course a few degrees port or starboard to stay in the proper position. But this is still easier than hand steering. I have a remote control head so I can sit back and make these course changes.
But when conditions get tight, like entering a crowded harbor, I always hand steer.
David
I do this quite frequently, even if I'm intimately familiar with the route. I also use the radar at the same time, just to stay confident with its use. ( The real reason is that I'm a gadget freak and love playing with the electronics!)If I'm navigating through an unfamiliar area I will plot out a course and inspect the whole route at various levels of zoom on my charting software. In this way I build confidence that there are no hidden hazards in advance.
The autopilot is supposed to free up some of your mental resources so that you can concentrate on traffic and navigation,"not lighten your workload so you can read and relax."
I plot my course for the day on my chartplotter, engage the autopilot to follow the route. Then I go below and go to sleep until the arrival alarm goes off or I get hungry. 10 hour runs are easy that way.
I swear mine could drive the boat all the way to a destination except for docking and undocking.
Autopilot and going overboard. My often repeated story of teaching a "skipper saver" class for women who know little about handling the boat they cruised on. For years I had the same list of essential things to know. Wasn't until one of the past students had her husband fall overboard and she didn't know how to turn off the autopilot that I added turning off the autopilot as an essential thing to know.
A great addition to any diesel would be an automatic gizmo that wirelessly activates the fuel shutoff solenoid when you go overboard.