Up until recently I considered my autohelm to be more of a nice to have than a necessity. After playin around in some good winds I see now that it isn't. theres no way I could get off the coast and stay at the wheel for more than a couple of hours or so without the autohelm. Either that or have some way to lock the wheel. going to the Bahamas by yourself? How do you do it?
AUTO HELM
- Thread starter sr1029
- Start date
- Status
Auto Pilots
In my opinion, it would be virtually impossible for me to single hand without an auto pilot. I know that lots of folks have done it, and are doing it now, but for me, just isn't an option. I have done as much as 30 hours straight standing behind the wheel, but was totally exhausted to the point of being punchy. And that was when I was much younger. I doubt very seriously if I could do that now, but without the auto on a long voyage, not much of a choice.
In my opinion, it would be virtually impossible for me to single hand without an auto pilot. I know that lots of folks have done it, and are doing it now, but for me, just isn't an option. I have done as much as 30 hours straight standing behind the wheel, but was totally exhausted to the point of being punchy. And that was when I was much younger. I doubt very seriously if I could do that now, but without the auto on a long voyage, not much of a choice.
AutoHelm
Yep, it kinda hit me today that its critical to doing any extended trips. Here on the intercoastal in FL I've gotten a good workout in no time flat...
Yep, it kinda hit me today that its critical to doing any extended trips. Here on the intercoastal in FL I've gotten a good workout in no time flat...
OTTO
Otto is an essential crewmember. I use him mostly for motoring, but when I went to Mexico a few years ago, he showed himself to be a great helmsman, steering better than I could for far longer, altho he did tend to suck up the batteries fairly quickly.
Otto is an essential crewmember. I use him mostly for motoring, but when I went to Mexico a few years ago, he showed himself to be a great helmsman, steering better than I could for far longer, altho he did tend to suck up the batteries fairly quickly.
self steering
Either Otto or wind vane. I noticed that Otto has an appetite for AH that Mr wind vane does not. Even with out Mr. wind vane you can usually set your boat up to self steer with quite minimal equipment.
Either Otto or wind vane. I noticed that Otto has an appetite for AH that Mr wind vane does not. Even with out Mr. wind vane you can usually set your boat up to self steer with quite minimal equipment.
Now the question is: Which autohelm would be most suitable for a MacGregor 26x ?? Thanks for any help you can offer. Ron
Suitable for Macgregor
If it is still available, the Raymarine ST4000 MKII plus is the Autopilot of choice for most Mac sailors. It satisfies both sailing and powering characteristics. I have it on my 26M and it works just fine.
If it is still available, the Raymarine ST4000 MKII plus is the Autopilot of choice for most Mac sailors. It satisfies both sailing and powering characteristics. I have it on my 26M and it works just fine.
- Status