remote steering

[bg9208]

Which, if any, autopilot systems have the facility to steer remotely with a hand controller in the way that cockpit remotes are available for anchor winches.

TIA

[Talbot]

Raymarine definitely, I dont know others as well.

[Hud3]

My B&G autopilot has a handheld controller with a 10 meter cord.

[bobnlesley]

Definitely the Raymarine TILLER pilots, so presumably the wheel pilots too; we have one (it was a free gift) and have used it just once in four years, I wouldn't consider/advise actually buying one as they're a very expensive (in the UK anyway) and IMO a fairly pointless 'toy'

[Karletto]

i was thinking too about a remote. but what's the point to have remote steering only? it has to be both -> rudder and throttle
i have no experience with it but it could be quite useful for solo sailor in marinas etc

[Hud3]

I've used my autopilot remote to help get the anchor up when I'm single-handing. I put the engine in gear at idle speed, and walk to the bow. I use the autopilot remote to steer along the chain as I bring it in. When the anchor is up, I can point the boat in a safe direction and walk back to the cockpit.

It's also handy if I want to steer from up under the dodger, out of the weather.

[cooper]

Solo, a radio remote to the steering...awesome. If you need to sail an anchor out. (or motor) . Bending on sails in strong and fickle winds. I am not a gadget for gadget sake person. It has to have a reason to complicate my life. If you go over the life lines and the boat is pounding away, making it impossible for you to pull yourself back over then perhaps th ability to slow the boat down may help. A little story...

Beautiful day, boat cranking along. Young son playing with body board over side. The board was strapped onto his wrist and he was "surfing" Placing his feet on the board and having fun. I was not that happy. After quite some time I heard a yell. The board had "nosed down" turned into a parachute anchor or a "board" to my fishing friends. It took all my strength to drag that kid back up on deck.....AFTER i had kicked the rudder across....No he did not go over but the force of the water was enormous.

The point. If something as small as a body board creates a force to much to deal with imagine a full body. If you went over and the boat was running under auto tiller (and you had a harness and life line on) without the ability to bring the boat to head, I doubt you would be able to get back on board.

The solution is to have another person on board. Problem is , if you are doing turn about watches, you may have to keep your head above water for 4 hours.
In this case a simple alarm may save a life.

Like any gadget it should not be trusted . It should be tested regularly. It should not be used as an excuse for not maintaining good practices.

[Zanshin]

I've got a little Raymarine S100 wireless remote controller. The little receiver plugs into the Raymarine network system and the battery-powered remote performs all the functions one could need.

[cooper]

I must point out that there are other mechanical solutions that may be easier, cheaper and more reliable. Regardless, a remote control in the breast pocket of the stormies is not a bad thing. Coming from an industry that deals with remotes (quadriplegics and other seriously decreased movement peoples) The usual reason for the failure of a remote controls is a FLAT BATTERY !!

[jaga]

My Simrad tillerpilot also came with a remote.

[Joli]

I think they all have remotes. We drive the boat from the center cockpit with a WH Autopilot, our steering station is in the aft cockpit. It is a great option that we use often. Nice to get out of the weather somedays.

Not this day though.

Remix for bryanjb - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[speciald@ocens.]

The Raymarine wireless has a program bug that I don't like. If the rechargeable battery goes dead, it disengages the autopilot track. Can be scarry off-shore as the boat will immediately and unexpectedly round up.

[Zanshin]

I consider that a great advantage, particularly if going upwind. If I were to fall overboard and the connection from the S100 to the unit fails then the boat would round up and I might, just might, have a chance at getting aboard again. On downwind headings you would, of course, be SOL.

[Karletto]

Originally Posted by speciald@ocens.

If the rechargeable battery goes dead, it disengages the autopilot track.

Originally Posted by Zanshin

I consider that a great advantage, particularly if going upwind. If I were to fall overboard and the connection from the S100 to the unit fails then the boat would round up and I might, just might, have a chance at getting aboard again. On downwind headings you would, of course, be SOL.

i doubt that this remote is not waterproof. you just bring it to you

[Zanshin]

That might work as well. A large and unwieldy glorified RC model!