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maxingout · 08-04-2010, 19:21

When we sailed around the world on Exit Only, we used the autopilot 99% of the time. The only time we steered by hand was when we wanted to do it for fun. Even in storms, we let the autopilot steer the yacht.

There were a few times when I would hand steer for a few hours in rough conditions to give the autopilot a break. For example, when we sailed through the Bab Al Mandeb at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, I hand steered for six to eight hours to escape the fifty knot winds and to seek shelter behind a headland in Eritrea.

What percent of the time do you use an autopilot when sailing offshore?

surfmachine · 08-04-2010, 19:35

Ahoy Dave, all the time.

Except when I am in a tricky situation!
Have not "switched" on the aires wind vane yet!

Keith.

Ram · 08-04-2010, 19:38

Yes all the time , unless someones wants to handle the wheel, its like haveing someone working full time for you, only better !

**skipmac** · 08-04-2010, 19:42

Use it all the time until it breaks.

conachair · 08-04-2010, 20:13

Aries all the way. It steers much better than I do. If there´s enough wind to move the boat then the aries can steer it.

marc2012 · 08-04-2010, 23:42

As much as possible.Even inshore for a break.marc

Albro359 · 09-04-2010, 01:46

I use my vane whenever possible..it consumes no power, never complains, and doesn't fail
the autopilot is generally only used when powering, or running downwind in heavy seas....we have a gyro (yaw and turn rate info) on the pilot and it makes the pilot react much quicker than the wind vane ever could ...draws power though....

Hampus · 09-04-2010, 01:49

Windvane! All the time.

/Hampus

MarkJ · 09-04-2010, 02:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxingout

What percent of the time do you use an autopilot when sailing offshore?

I touched the wheel yesterday when we dropped anchor and it was all salty!

Mark

fishwife · 09-04-2010, 03:03

It's possible to steer by hand?

**Dockhead** · 09-04-2010, 04:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I touched the wheel yesterday when we dropped anchor and it was all salty!

Mark

Ditto here. The autopilot on our old boat couldn't handle following seas, so we hand steered sometimes when running.

The new boat's autopilot (a Raymarine) is unbelievably effective -- I have yet to see the situation it couldn't handle. It laughs at following seas. It steers basically all the time, offshore and inshore. I even let it steer part way up the crowded Hamble River a couple of weeks ago (which probably violates some rule or another).

The autopilot is the main steering system on the boat. The wheel is just a minor secondary system for occasional close manuevering.

klem · 09-04-2010, 09:06

I guess that I fall at the other end of the spectrum preferring to hand steer. I turn on the autopilot if I need to be away from the wheel but otherwise we hand steer. My current boat does not have an autopilot. The only time it would be nice is running downwind when I want to leave the helm.

When I worked on a 92' schooner, people were always shocked that we didn't have an autopilot. I preferred it that way.

Randyonr3 · 09-04-2010, 09:13

Offshore, all the time.. even in following seas, the smart pilot take care of the plotted course, and the wind and solar keep the batteries up for the power to run it.. We call ours Rosie........