Article by Pat Schrawder
AUTOPILOT: YOUR BEST FRIEND
If I asked you what item of electronic equipment would be the last thing you would put on your boat, you might answer autopilot. However, if you’ve had one before you’ll probably think it is the first thing you’d install. Once thought to be a sheer luxury reserved for only very large boats and commercial vessels, the automatic pilot has now become somewhat of a staple.
With smaller and smaller boats venturing further offshore and the price of autopilots having come down, more and more boaters are opting to have one installed. Of course you can steer your boat yourself but not as accurately or efficiently. Beyond that, just imagine a day offshore without having to be constantly holding on to the steering wheel and you’ll be tempted.
The basic automatic pilot system is not just one or two items, it is several things, working together as a system to steer your boat on a straight course. Depending on the manufacturer, a basic system designed for hydraulic steering systems might consist of a pump and motor, hydraulic lines, a compass, a rudder feedback unit or virtual feedback, a junction box and a control unit. Each of these pieces has its own function and, together, they can take over the steering of your boat with little, if any, intervention on your part.
The pump is installed in line with your vessel’s hydraulic steering system by a set of additional lines and this pump is responsible for sending hydraulic fluid through the lines to turn your rudders a certain degree. This pump comes in more than one size to accommodate different sized boats. There are also a number of linear drive units, both hydraulic and mechanical, to use when hydraulic systems are not present.
A rudder feedback may be connected to a rod that, in turn, is connected to your rudders. The system turns the rudders and the feedback tells the system where the rudders are at any given time. For outboards, a linear feedback can be used to connect to your outboard(s) and perform a similar function. Something called “virtual feedback” may be used where no actual rudder feedback can fit but it requires a better compass unit.
The compass of the pilot operates separately from your ship’s compass and functions only for the pilot to determine what heading the boat is steering. The placement of the compass is very critical to the successful operation of the pilot system.
The control head is the part of the system that you operate. It has an LCD display that indicates several readings such as current heading, rudder action, status, and mode. There are usually knobs or buttons that can be used to “dodge” around an obstacle and to set the various modes.
The junction unit is the general interface box into which all connections from the above mentioned pieces of the system join with each other. This junction box, as well as the other pieces of the system except the control head, can all be placed out of sight.
The selection of the correct pilot for your boat can be critical to its performance. Pilot systems are not “one size fits all” and, therefore, you need to get the right configuration for the size of your boat and the type of steering system that you have. In addition, the installation of an automatic pilot is something that should be left to those who understand the complexities of the system. In the case of a hydraulic unit, the steering system of your boat must be taken down, cut into, purged and brought back up to pressure.
Once your system is properly installed, it must be calibrated with a sea trial in order to best make the necessary adjustments. Newer pilots have made this procedure easier but it is still critical for maximum performance. In addition, the system should be interfaced with your navigation system (loran or GPS) in order to get the maximum benefit from the autopilot. Once this is completed, you can set your navigation equipment to go to a certain waypoint and then set your autopilot to NAV mode so that it will automatically steer the boat to your waypoint in a straight line, in the fastest time, thereby using less fuel.
One word of caution is called for at this point. Your pilot is considered an aid to navigation. It can save you hours of hands on steering and free you to move around the boat. It does not look out for other boats or for floating debris, however. So, please do not forget to stay alert and watch the water. The “dodge” buttons are designed to allow you to do just that– dodge when you need to move your boat out of the way in a hurry and then return to the former course. They are not designed to be used regularly to steer the boat.
Prices of autopilots have come down, making them more affordable for more boaters. Depending on the brand and the model, prices may vary from $1,500 on up. Several manufacturers offer autopilot systems. The most well known are: Simrad (formerly Robertson), Raymarine, Furuno, Northstar, Navman and more recently Garmin. Rating the best pilot is difficult but the National Marine Electronics Association has rated Simrad pilot models as the best for four of the last five years. If you select the right pilot system for your size boat, have it properly installed and calibrated for best performance, they are very reliable and you will find it will become one of the electronic items on your boat that you will never want to do without.
Pat Schrawder and her husband Larry are owners of L&L Marine Electronics on Golf Course Road in West Ocean City.