Hey, Boracay... I remember a
steel tug I worked on once back in the 60's in
Canada that had an autopilot, very rare in those days. I
recall they had to hire a guy to set up the big magnetic balls on either side of the
fluxgate compass that was incorporated in to the main compass in the wheelhouse. We then had to steer courses back and forth across the harbour aimed at particular range markers called a degauzing range... took about 2 days to get the thing set right but it worked after calibration. Things have changed a bit since then!! We used it running light to pick up black
oil barges off the
west coast of
Vancouver Island in the
fog but rarely, if ever, with a tow.
Roberts are fine boats... many in
British Columbia. Is that the
Sydney Bridge behind you in your avatar? We are headed for Adelaide in a week to visit wife's
family... love your country down there. May get in a quick trip to Noosa... cheers, Capt Phil