How Important is Your Autopilot ?

[RTB]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

RTB,

How many miles were handsteered from Jax to Cartegena? A/Ps give you the chance to do this on watch!.........i2f

Hey, how's it going? Geez, you spoiled me. A nice level bed to sleep on (a cat), and cruise control while on watch. Life will never be the same!

[imagine2frolic]

It will improve once you are the master of your own desitnations...............i2f

[John A]

As a singlehandler I had both a windvane and AP. They were my crew. I seldom stood at the helm while making a passage. Doing deck work, naviagateing, sail work, cooking, general housekeeping, and sleep periods, something needed to keep the boat going in the right direction while I dealt with all the rest of cruising. The windvanes name was Matt Helm, and the AP was Sue.

[savoir]

Matt Helm ! I remember him. He was never as famous as James Bond but had way more fun.

Oh yeah, mine's a Furuno Navpilot 500 and it's on about 20 hours a day.

[Wild cat]

We just sailed an FP Orana 44 for 800nm in 2 legs
From Portugal to Las Palmas
2 guys
The Autopilot was a must
Although we had to switch it off when the weather was too rough, as it was
Either to slow to respond or overcompensated - we tried al sensitivity settings
But decided we were better on the helm in a storm
Luckily the storm only lasted the one night :-)

[James S]

Arctic Lady was steered by hand for 25 years, I was on board for two of those...what a pain.
We always stand an active watch and it did keep you awake.
She has an Autopilot now and is way better.
As many have said, it frees you up for trimming, bathroom, snack breaks......and, they steer better than most helmsmen.

[David M]

Being tied to the helm for hours and hours increases fatigue....not a safe thing.

[zeehag]

we had autohelm on a cruise in gulf-- used bungee as much as we used auto-- auto kept d-failing and didnt like the broken rudder ---
i have auto pilot on my quadrant-- i am hoping it works a few days before it fails....

[hummingway]

On a long cold tack it sure is nice to have an autopilot. I agree with David; a long day at the helm can be quite exhausting. If you then have to anchor or dock it takes some of the fun out of the adventure making it stressful.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by RTB;5.

[B

jim cate [/B]- the wind vane sure has some pluses. I'm off to ponder.

Ralph,

One more point and then I'll shut up: I (and I bet you too) can build a windvane that will indeed work, but I sure as hell can't build an autopilot.

Cheers,

Jim

[Sandero]

Let's put it this way Ralph, this will be the best bang for the boat bucks you will ever spend.

[Cormorant]

For a Bahamas trip you can certain get by without an autopilot. (We did.) You'll have only a few biggish crossings, maybe 10 to 18 hours per. Once you're hopping among the small cays, your sailing will only be a few hours at a time, if that. Hand steering is a pain, but it's not terrible. Hey -- at least you're sailing!

[savoir]

Don't underestimate the merit of the steering brake. If you balance the rig carefully you can sail for many days with the wheel braked off. My record is 7 days. The boat only lost the plot about 3 or 4 times per day.

[cfarrar]

Essential for passages, especially at night.

Once in the islands, however, you won't be doing much of either

[boatman61]

My permanant crew... lets me mess with the sails, cook, sleep, sunbathe, read.... give's me time to fall off my bucket..... or not....