Garmin auto pilot on 7m rib

[redthunder]

As any body got one running on a rib. It's required as I spend a lot of time at 3-5 kots crossing the channel and it would be easier to have a computer steer? Would this work at such slow speed? Thanks

[Pikey Dave]

I have one of these on BP, nothing fancy, does what it says on the tin & works down to 3kn. Self install in about a day if you're handy with spanners, which are included in the kit. Integrates well with the plotter, takes up no room at all on the console which is a bonus & cost about 600 quid. It steered us from Anglesey to Dun Loaghaire without a hitch, it tended to fight the sea a little when it got lumpy But I've ironed that out now. It's one of those things that you don't think you need until you get one & the wonder how you managed without.

[Poly]

There was one on the big redbay that JK hired last year. It was impressive, just pick your destination, press go, set the throttle and it took you there. I could see it would introduce a potential for falling asleep though; so it may be worth setting a "watch alarm" as used on large ships. The other 'risk' especially on a cabin rib - is it would seem tempting to walk off and leave the boat steering itself. That probably means you are disconnecting the kill cord. The concept however for long distance cruising was great, especially if the boat is a means of travel rather than part of the fun.

[redthunder]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I have one of these on BP, nothing fancy, does what it says on the tin & works down to 3kn. Self install in about a day if you're handy with spanners, which are included in the kit. Integrates well with the plotter, takes up no room at all on the console which is a bonus & cost about 600 quid. It steered us from Anglesey to Dun Loaghaire without a hitch, it tended to fight the sea a little when it got lumpy But I've ironed that out now. It's one of those things that you don't think you need until you get one & the wonder how you managed without.

Is that a garmin one ?

[Pikey Dave]

No, Raymarine but it works on nmea 0183 so is compatible with just about any plotter/ GPS. It's specifically aimed at small boats with seastar hydraulic steering.

[Mollers]

Don't really see the benefit on an open rib, as it all does is relieve steering duty. A vigliant watch still has to be kept, especially at night.

Nice on a large yacht where the primary nav equipment (radar screen) may not be in the cockpit.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Don't really see the benefit on an open rib, as it all does is relieve steering duty. A vigliant watch still has to be kept, especially at night.

Nice on a large yacht where the primary nav equipment (radar screen) may not be in the cockpit.

In open sea without landmarks it's very useful as it allows you to keep your eyes on the road, instead of watching the instruments. Plus it steers a dead straight course, which in theory saves fuel.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Plus it steers a dead straight course, which in theory saves fuel.

It might do if you set it up to steer a bearing but IIRC the Garmin was steering to a waypoint so was making fine adjustments for the error from tide / wind etc.

[martini]

Originally Posted by Poly

It might do if you set it up to steer a bearing but IIRC the Garmin was steering to a waypoint so was making fine adjustments for the error from tide / wind etc.

Shouldn't do, if the pilot's configured properly. It'll accept CTE data from the gps and work out a course made good. Or it can still just hold a bearing if required.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by martini

Shouldn't do, if the pilot's configured properly. It'll accept CTE data from the gps and work out a course made good. Or it can still just hold a bearing if required.

Are we not agreeing there? either it can simply steer to a bearing (from compass) or it can steer to a waypoint/route in which case it will continually be correcting for the errors caused by wind, tide etc.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

In open sea without landmarks it's very useful as it allows you to keep your eyes on the road, instead of watching the instruments. Plus it steers a dead straight course, which in theory saves fuel.

In flatish water perhaps. AP couldn't deal with big seas/small boat.

As I say, I've not used AP on rib,but feel that the benefit would barely justify the cost.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Mollers

In flatish water perhaps. AP couldn't deal with big seas/small boat.

As I say, I've not used AP on rib,but feel that the benefit would barely justify the cost.

I'd agree on the cost / benefit, it's just a "nice to have". I have it & use it, if cost was an issue it would be way down the list.

[Mollers]

A quck AP tale. Of few years back. some guys I know set off out of Fal on a dive trip. A mile or so off, they saw a small yacht with flogging sails. They headed over to check that all was well. On coming 'longside, they saw a guy in the cockpit looking slightly bemused.
Turned out that he'd bought the the yacht in Fal, motored it out into the Bay, gotton some sails up, dialed Plymouth into the AP and sat there waiting for Plymouth to appear. He had no idea how to sail.

A couple of the dive boys hopped onboard and took the boat back in to Fal.

[redthunder]

We would use it because we are escorting kayaks and paddle boards across the channel at slow speeds not because we are heading to the back of the boat to have a cocktail.

Its because its hard work to hold a course for 7 hours at 3 knots. It would mean we have more time to monitor the radar and AIS. This would mean we could navigate the shipping lanes better. Does anybody know if the auto pilot can follow a bearing as well as go to a way point. That is critical for the trips we do as the currents get up to 4 knots off France?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by redthunder

Does anybody know if the auto pilot can follow a bearing as well as go to a way point.

Yes it can

[martini]

Originally Posted by Poly

Are we not agreeing there? either it can simply steer to a bearing (from compass) or it can steer to a waypoint/route in which case it will continually be correcting for the errors caused by wind, tide etc.

I'm suggesting it shouldn't be weaving around, at least no more than it would when steering to a bearing. Which is effectively what it's doing when steering to a wp, it's a course made good.

Obviously if you were crossing the channel at 5kts then changes in tide direction wouldn't be allowed for

Sent from my portable speaking device using Rib.net

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by redthunder

Its because its hard work to hold a course for 7 hours at 3 knots.

Totally. Also at 3knts, factors such as wind an tidal drift can affect your course and position. You need AP.