T&T: Autopilots on Auto..Auto..Auto

[Dave Cooper]

Over the years we have found that in low vis situations having anyone hand
steering adds stress to the situation.
Having a stable radar display is paramont and it requires a stable heading
to display targets without "smear" or confusion.
A good autopilot does this and allows greater concertration on the situation
at hand and navigation in general vs having a person tied up trying to steer
an arrow straight course.

I agree that anyone on board save for the dogs and cats should be able to
steer the boat. One never knows when a situation may require all able hands
on deck for something from a man-over board to assistance to another vessel
or crew.

So my call is is to use the autopilot to steer a course....not necessarily
hooked to a waypoint but more for course stability.

YMMV
Dave
Swan Song