AUTOMATIC PILOTS
Cockpit pilots
The cockpit pilot, for tiller or wheel is not a pilot capable of steering all vessels irrespective of weather conditions. It is reserved for vessels of less than 12m. For larger craft and all-weather use, one must move toward in-board pilots.For boats with tillers, all models presented have sufficient thrust. What makes them different is the response time. If your boat is highly reactive, it is imperative to take a model with a rapid reaction time (4 seconds max.) Contrarily, if they have a slow reaction time you may select a unit with a longer response time. For boats equipped with a wheel, the market choice remains very limited.
Tips
Pilots are powerful and should hold whatever the conditions. It is evident that if the boat is poorly set, or overpowered, the pilot will maintain course to the detriment of power consumption. The advice before engaging the pilot therefore is to set the sails. Do the same henever conditions change. Your boat will work better and you will consume less power.
Pilots are powerful and should hold whatever the conditions. It is evident that if the boat is poorly set, or overpowered, the pilot will maintain course to the detriment of power consumption. The advice before engaging the pilot therefore is to set the sails. Do the same henever conditions change. Your boat will work better and you will consume less power.
Installing a tiller pilot
The cockpit pilot is designed to be installed by a leisure sailor. One must respect, the distance between the axis of the bar and the at tachment point of the driver (use the instructions to ensure correct position.) There are accessories which adapt to all forms of cockpit (supports, extensions, drivers…)The only connection is electrical (12v) installed with a waterproof socket in the cockpit.
Professional advice
“If it is not connected to the central navigation, the cockpit pilot cannot sail in wind mode.”
“If it is not connected to the central navigation, the cockpit pilot cannot sail in wind mode.”
In board pilots
One may consider the automatic pilot as an additional crew member. As such we must be able to have confidence in it regardless of the weather and pace of the boat.
