By Bob Currie, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Base Galveston Flotilla
Even before the invention of steam ships, sailing vessels have had some form of autopilot; it often consisted of a couple of ropes tied off to the ship’s wheel, but even back then people realized that the human steering the vessel could not be depended upon to hold a steady course. Modern autopilot systems have now become affordable to the recreational boater. This column will discuss a few options for the recreational powerboater.

The Base Galveston Flotilla of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary operates out of the US Coast Guard base on Galveston Island. They aid the Coast Guard by providing maritime observation patrols in Galveston Bay; by providing recreational boating vessel safety checks; and by working alongside Coast Guard members in maritime accident investigation, small boat training, providing a safety zone, Aids to Navigation verification, cooking in base and station galleys and aboard cutters; and on the Coast Guard Drone Team.

How Autopilots Work
Autopilots do a great job of holding a steady course in light to moderate conditions with minimal helm movements. They don’t get tired like their human counterparts and have an infinite attention span. They will open opportunities to use your boat that you would otherwise miss due to lack of crew and because they steer so accurately, they will save fuel and get you to your destination faster, especially when interfaced with a GPS. Modern autopilots have a sensor, a control head or control unit, and a drive unit. Among other things, the sensor detects your compass direction, and more advanced sensors detect your motion in every direction. The control head takes the heading and motion information from the sensor and compares it to the desired heading and directs the drive unit to turn the boat until the actual and desired headings are the same. Most autopilots are sensitive enough to control the heading to within one degree of accuracy, and many also correct for wind and current speed and direction (set and drift). There are autopilots for all types of steering including steer by wire, hydraulic, and manual steering systems.

ComNav P4™ Series Autopilot
The ComNav P4 Autopilot runs from around $3,000 to $5,000, depending, of course, on the amenities that you purchase. Just get what you need if money is an object.

Features include the following:

• Adaptive steering for varying sea conditions and vessel speeds
• Auto Setup- allows auto-drive detection, rudder response time, compass detection and calibration
• GPS interface
• Proportional Rate Control for smooth response
• Automatic Leeway Compensation for drift, tide and wind
• Auto Thrust Assist for dead ahead slow or station keeping

Garmin Reactor 40™ Series Autopilot
In its ad Garmin says: “With its solid-state 9-axis Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), the GHP Reactor™ autopilot series holds your course even when your boat is pitching and rolling in rough water. Offers flexible installation options and requires a minimum amount of commissioning and calibration. The result is that everyone onboard enjoys a comfortable ride while heading error, course deviation, rudder movement and power consumption are minimized.”

Features include the following:

• 9-axis motion detection minimizes heading error, course deviation, rudder movement, and power consumption
• Minimal commissioning and calibration
• Fully integrated with Garmin Chartplotters
• Automatically disengages the autopilot whenever if the helm is turned, giving the operator freedom to maneuver the boat
• Optional handheld remote control

Raymarine Evolution™ Series Autopilots
This is an autopilot with which I am familiar. Raymarine is a very popular brand of marine electronics for offshore fishers.

Key features include:

• No lengthy calibration required
• No compass calibration required
• Plug and play connections
• Easy to install- heading sensor can be placed above or below deck, off the centerline of the vessel, and upside down
• Nine-axis monitoring of pitch, yawl, roll and heading

Other Brands of Autopilots
There are several more brands of autopilots; some are designed primarily for sailboats with versions that work on powerboats. Some other names in the autopilot business include B&G, Intellisteer, Lowrance, Octopus, and Simrad. Important considerations when selecting an autopilot include ease of installment, standard features, calibration requirements, and cost. Before purchasing, take the time to talk with other boaters about their experiences with their own autopilots.

Using Your Autopilot Safely
Be sure that all members of the crew know how to disengage the autopilot (by depressing the STANDBY key on Raymarine units, for example). Be aware that any autopilot may fail at the most inconvenient time such as when you are inside a narrow channel or fighting heavy seas. Autopilots may also be susceptible to radio interference from a nearby transmitting SSB (Single Side Band) radio. Most importantly, remember that the autopilot never replaces a proper watch. Many collisions at sea have been attributed to improper use of the autopilot with no proper watch.

Summary
An autopilot can be a great addition to an offshore boat if it is matched to the boat size, boat type, and expected use. The key benefits of autopilots are they get you where you are going quicker with less fuel consumed. The caveats are that the autopilot could be overwhelmed by heavy wind and seas, it could fail at an inopportune time, and the autopilot does not replace a proper watch.

For more information on boating safety, please visit the Official Website of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division at www.uscgboating.org. Questions about the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or our free Vessel Safety Check program may be directed to me at [email protected]. I am available to perform free Vessel Safety Checks, and I will come to your location to perform them. SAFE BOATING!

[March-8-2021]