
50 AUTOPILOTS
Autohelm Autopilots: The extra crew member at
your command
It’s a beautiful day, the sun’s out and you fancy a
break. Let the autopilot take the strain while you
relax with a drink.
Or, if the wind whips up, just hit the button
while you shorten sail or head below to check
everything’s secure. Even when It's blowing a
gale, the waves are 30' high, and you're racing
hundreds of miles from land…
“I can't say enough about the reliability and
performance of my Raymarine electronics,”
says Brad van Liew, Class 2 Around Alone race
winner and Open 50 24hr distance record holder.
“Other skippers have needed to hand steer to be
competitive. On board Tommy Hilfiger Freedom
America, the Raymarine pilot with its superior
software steered as well as any fully concentrated
professional.”
From a basic tiller pilot to a powerful inboard
system, each Raymarine autopilot comes with a
simple, intuitive keypad and clear, functional LCD
display.
So what is an Autopilot?
An autopilot connects to your steering system
and continually corrects your boat's heading
with information supplied by the compass, wind
transducers or GPS.
Autopilots are designed to maintain an accurate
course in various sea conditions with minimal
helm movements. They can act as a spare pair
of hands or an extra crew member allowing
you to trim the sails or get the fenders over the
side. Because they steer so accurately, they will
save fuel and get you to your destination faster,
especially when connected to a chart plotter.
Autopilots consist of three main components: a
heading sensor (usually a compass), a processor
and drive controller (the brains), and a drive
mechanism (the business end).
Autopilot Types
There are two types of autopilot, Cockpit and
Inboard (also called below-decks). Cockpit pilots
are simple to install and remain in the cockpit
in all types of weather. Inboard autopilots are
permanently mounted below decks and are more
powerful, more reliable, steer your boat better
and can be supplied with a range of autopilot
controllers.
Raymarine autopilots work so well
that it's sometimes easy to forget that
they can't see – so they can't avoid
obstacles or other vessels. Always keep
a vigilant watch.
“The autopilot system steers the boat to a
course better than our best racing helm.”
David Pinner
Skipper of ‘Kiss’ X-Yachts X35 one design
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