Autopilot necessity or luxury?

[mike]

At first thought, an autopilot sounds like it would be a luxury item... useful, but not essential. But I've recently read and heard opinions that sailing for more than a few hours without an autopilot, being glued to the wheel the entire time, can be very fatiguing and miserable.

What do you think?

[dclark]

Depends on what you do and who does it with you. A couple adults and kids out for the afternoon and you probably won't care. A 100 mile trip single handed will have you sending notes of praise to the minds at Raytheon. That and books on tape are my two best friends on those kinds of trips.

[norbert]

i have my autohelm 4000 for 2 seasons now and i don't remeber how i did it before. absolutely necessary on longer single handed trips. you can trim the sails, go down for a drink or the head (just be shure that there is no traffic around!!) or even go to the foredeck to disconnect the forestay and lower the mast. i recommend to install a larger wheel (22') with the autopilot.

[gescriva]

Hi Norbert:
I was wondering where did you get your autohelm 4000 in Germany and at what price.
I was thinking to buying one for my in Spain. Also will appreciatte how difficult is the instalation and use.

Thanks

[dclark]

gescriva, The newer MKII Authelm is an improvemnt over the older version. It runs about $800 in the US. Installation is pretty straight forward. As long as you can drill 4 holes for screws in the pedestal a little below the place that the wheel attaches then you should be ok.

[Chip Hindes]

How about another choice: Nice to have, not essential at all, but I really, really, really want one?

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Its hard to say that something like an autopilot is a necessity because by definition, it is not required so it must be a luxury. Consequently, I had to vote for your second choice... However, the first thing I did when I got my used boat last summer was send the sportpilot off for an overhaul and I don't think I would be very successful at "family" sailing without it. Certainly well worth the price.

[mike]

Dimitri,

How do you like the Sportpilot? I noticed that it is marketed as being for powerboats only, so I was looking primarily at the ST4000mkII.

Any problems using the Sportpilot on a sailboat?

--Mike

[norbert]

oh, that was me the previous post. apperently i have been logged out.

[dclark]

Its hard to say that something like an autopilot is a necessity because by definition, it is not required so it must be a luxury.

By that definition the whole boat is a luxury...how about a neccessary luxury.

[Jack O'Brien]

[quote="mike"]Dimitri,

How do you like the Sportpilot? I noticed that it is marketed as being for powerboats only, so I was looking primarily at the ST4000mkII.

Any problems using the Sportpilot on a sailboat?

--Mike[/quote]

My boat came with a SportPilot whose control stalk had rotted off in the Florida sun sitting unused and uncovered for a year or two. Raymarine sold me a refurbished unit to replace it. Used it a couple brief times and it was fine. Later, rough seas and almost frozen steering cable making wheel VERY hard to turn and the SportPilot quit. Companion 26X on trip also had SportPilot fail. Raymarine fixed both free, and changed out regular motors with the 'Plus" motors. The Plus is recommended for slow speed trolling (which = sailing). Haven't reinstalled mine yet. Changed my steering to Teleflex and it is super easy now. Fully expect SportPilot to now be OK.

Yes, it is a luxury but one of the very desireable ones. I have had boat trimmed so only an occasional tweek of the wheel was needed but that wasn't often (may not apply now that wheel turns easily) and is not applicable when motoring. Haven't had any guests yet but think I would trust an autopilot much better.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Dave, an automatic pilot is doing a function that can be done manually (ie, steering the boat), but yes, you would be right too, the whole boat IS a luxury and that is why larger ones are generally subject to luxury tax.

Mike, I like the sportpilot plus quite a bit. I used to have an ST4000 on my former sailboat and I did prefer the compass display and a way to auto tack...although you can get this same functionality on a sportpilot by adding a remote. Other than the auto tack though, I find the sportpilot is easier to use than the st4000, especially the automatic clutch and much easier gain changes.

[Timm Miller]

I find I don't use mine as much as I used to at first........I'm finding it easier to balance the sail plan and the boat pretty much steers itself. It is nice on down wind runs and reaches....set it and sit back and enjoy the day.

[dclark]

Dave, an automatic pilot is doing a function that can be done manually (ie, steering the boat), but yes, you would be right too, the whole boat IS a luxury and that is why larger ones are generally subject to luxury tax.

I was just giving you a hard time

[dclark]

I find I don't use mine as much as I used to at first........I'm finding it easier to balance the sail plan and the boat pretty much steers itself. It is nice on down wind runs and reaches....set it and sit back and enjoy the day.

It may night apply so much on a downwind run, but I find nothing stays balanced once bodies start moving around.