T&T: AUTOPILOT

[Lochmaddy49 at aol.com]

In my view, autopilots are essential, whether doing the ICW or Ocean  
crossing. For ICW, 1 is enough, but if I were doing ocean crossing or remote  
cruising, I would either have a complete backup unit to install if the 
installed  unit fails, or duplicity (if that is possible). It really reduces 
fatigue, and  is like having additional crew. While the ICW has twists,turns and 
narrow  channels, there are plenty of places (like the Alligator Pungo canal 
in NC or  the Indian River in FL, that are straight and narrow, and the 
autopilot works  fine there, although it can not be unattended. Indeed, even 
offshore where there  is still ocean trash, you still have to maintain sharp 
watch with the autopilot  on, but it relieves having to hand steer.
I have a 50 ton Selene 53, and installed a Simrad AP 2507 Pilot in the  
Pilot house, and a AP 26 second station on the Flybridge. I also have Raymarine 
 E series chartplotters. I think Simrad makes the best unit for these size  
vessels.
Garland Hagen
ARCADIA
 
 
In a message dated 7/24/2009 12:07:28 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
trawlers-and-trawlering-request at lists.samurai.com writes:


I'm  rebuilding a 63' steel shrimp boat to make it a liveaboard 
passagemaker and  I'm wondering if I need an autopilot and what your recommendations 
would be.  I'm installing the Raymarine E120 system, the boat is powered by a 
DD8/71 with  hydraulic steering off the camshaft and controlled by a  toggle.



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