Boat autopilot
Autopilots are becoming an increasingly popular option on boats. Using a boat autopilot improves the boating experience. You'll be able to choose a course or simply stay on course without having to worry about steering. Whether it's a small transportable sailboat, a trawler, a large cruising boat or an inboard cruiser, the forces at play and the constraints are very different. While the electronic systems are broadly similar for these categories of boats, the power units differ depending on whether you have a tiller or a wheel, hydraulic or mechanical steering.
Find all the biggest brands of autopilots Raymarine, Garmin Simrad, Furuno, NKE, B&G at the best prices at Comptoirnautique.com, the French specialist in marine electronics.
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How does a boat autopilot work?This device allows the boat to automatically navigate along a predetermined course. The autopilot is usually controlled by the boat's helmsman, who can program it to follow a route made up of waypoints or to keep the boat on a set course. The autopilot can be used to help the boat's pilot navigate in difficult conditions, such as long crossings or rough seas. Sensors are used to detect the ship's heading, measure rudder position and track changes in direction. The ACU electronic computer then compares this data with the commands ordered to correct the trajectory to be followed. |
What type of autopilot to install?The cockpit pilot for tiller or wheel is perfect for boats under 12m. For larger boats, it is recommended to use an inboard pilot. A yachtsman can install a cockpit pilot without any problem: it is simply necessary to respect the distance between the axis of the tiller and the point of attachment of the pilot. A large number of accessories are available to adapt to all cockpit shapes. The inboard pilot must be adapted to the size of the boat and to the mechanical or hydraulic steering system. For the autopilot to work on a hydraulic steering system, a pump must be installed in the system. A mechanical steering system needs a hydraulic or electric cylinder installed directly on the steering sector. The course is set from the control panel. See for example the Raymarine P70s for autopilot designed specifically for sailboats. In any case, the first thing to consider is whether you need an autopilot for a motorboat or a sailboat, then for steering or for steering wheel. For example, the raymarine autopilot from the EV range offers pilots for several types of boats. Packages with cylinder, without cylinder or with display or not. Depending on the autopilot model, there are different options: A gyrometer can complement the compass function to take into account the boat's movements. Racing boats that want more control over their environment can be equipped with heel angle sensors or 3-axis control units. The Raymarine ST1000+ tiller autopilot is a popular model. The world's best-selling autopilot, the ST1000+ is particularly rugged and powerful. There is no better helmsman than an autopilot! It's up to you to choose the most appropriate model! |
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