Can anyone tell me the advantages of having a GPS interface with an autopilot. Just bought a new boat with Raymarine Autopilot. Then purchased GPS Garmin type preloaded chart plotter. It was suggested that I interface it with autopilot via nmea/ seatalk system. I suddenly felt toatally unaware of what that would do. I am curious.
- Status
Steer to a waypoint
The autopilot can steer to a waypoint using crosstrack error. You can also create a route made up of several waypoints and with a push of a button at each waypoint alter course toward the next waypoint. The GPS will prompt you to push the button.
The autopilot can steer to a waypoint using crosstrack error. You can also create a route made up of several waypoints and with a push of a button at each waypoint alter course toward the next waypoint. The GPS will prompt you to push the button.
No advantages to connecting
these two instruments. By doing so, you end up having a pin ball machine instead of a boat, forget how to navigate and steer, and avoid ever being out in the cold. Might as well stay home...
!!!
these two instruments. By doing so, you end up having a pin ball machine instead of a boat, forget how to navigate and steer, and avoid ever being out in the cold. Might as well stay home...
!!!
LOL!
While I agree that a GPS driven chartplotter and an autopilot are no substitute for basic navigation skills, I don't leave home without them. Auto drives my boat 90% of the time, and the GPS and charting software tell him were to steer. I get to do the two things I like most, trim sails and chase wench around the boat. There is nothing so boring as driving the boat on a crossing. It is so nice to set a waypoint, let Auto drive, and sit back and enjoy the ride. Once you have the system sorted out, you will only drive the boat when you want to and no one ever has to a be prisoner at the wheel for hours on end.
While I agree that a GPS driven chartplotter and an autopilot are no substitute for basic navigation skills, I don't leave home without them. Auto drives my boat 90% of the time, and the GPS and charting software tell him were to steer. I get to do the two things I like most, trim sails and chase wench around the boat.
There is nothing so boring as driving the boat on a crossing. It is so nice to set a waypoint, let Auto drive, and sit back and enjoy the ride. Once you have the system sorted out, you will only drive the boat when you want to and no one ever has to a be prisoner at the wheel for hours on end.Better Accuracy
A couple of years ago I linked my GPS chart plotter and the auto-pilot. During a trip from Newburyport, MA to Boothbay, ME I passed several very large rivers. As the river current flowed out to sea, it pushed me sideways (creating cross track error). Without the two linked, this error would go uncorrected. In my case, my boat started to "crab" (steer a heading slightly into the current) so I was still heading directly at my destination waypoint. Initially it felt weird because the bow of the boat was pointing 5+ degrees off from where I wanted to go. I kept a close watch and discovered I was actually heading directly toward where I wanted to go.
A couple of years ago I linked my GPS chart plotter and the auto-pilot. During a trip from Newburyport, MA to Boothbay, ME I passed several very large rivers. As the river current flowed out to sea, it pushed me sideways (creating cross track error). Without the two linked, this error would go uncorrected. In my case, my boat started to "crab" (steer a heading slightly into the current) so I was still heading directly at my destination waypoint. Initially it felt weird because the bow of the boat was pointing 5+ degrees off from where I wanted to go. I kept a close watch and discovered I was actually heading directly toward where I wanted to go.
Easy to hook up
I have the same setup with a garmin 172c connected to my auto pilot. Itis also connected to my sonar. It is very easy to hook up and if you need the manuals or help you can go to garmin.com. with the chartplatter you can program a complete passage or day sail and as long and the wind is with you you can let the boat steer itself. I like it because everything is right there handy on one screen and it is simple to use.don't throw out your charts and compass just incase you have a problem someday. they are all great tools...learn to use them well and they will all serve thier purpose well
I have the same setup with a garmin 172c connected to my auto pilot. Itis also connected to my sonar. It is very easy to hook up and if you need the manuals or help you can go to garmin.com. with the chartplatter you can program a complete passage or day sail and as long and the wind is with you you can let the boat steer itself. I like it because everything is right there handy on one screen and it is simple to use.don't throw out your charts and compass just incase you have a problem someday. they are all great tools...learn to use them well and they will all serve thier purpose well
Gets you there, B
This is one of those things where you wonder if it's worth it until you try it - then you wonder how you ever got along without it! When you set your autopilot to steer to a compass heading, you're fine - AS LONG AS YOUR COMPASS HEADING WAS RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE! When you steer to a GPS heading ( or a series of them!) you are accurate to the limits of the GPS. With WAAS - that's VERY accurate! A dock neighbor showed me how he could get his autopilot/GPS to steer him right to his dock! Bill on STARGAZER
This is one of those things where you wonder if it's worth it until you try it - then you wonder how you ever got along without it! When you set your autopilot to steer to a compass heading, you're fine - AS LONG AS YOUR COMPASS HEADING WAS RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE! When you steer to a GPS heading ( or a series of them!) you are accurate to the limits of the GPS. With WAAS - that's VERY accurate! A dock neighbor showed me how he could get his autopilot/GPS to steer him right to his dock! Bill on STARGAZER
I agree with Stu...
I thought this was a sailing site... buy a powerboat. This is where the stories of sailors being run down by powerboaters come from. GPS= great tool, autopilot= great tool, GPS + Autopilot= powerboater. B
I thought this was a sailing site... buy a powerboat. This is where the stories of sailors being run down by powerboaters come from. GPS= great tool, autopilot= great tool, GPS + Autopilot= powerboater. B
Sailboats Can Use Auto and GPS to Great Advanage
I would not have commented but the guy who says buy a sailboat has probably never left the dock for more than a 3 minute cruise. I have traveled thosuands of miles, usually single handed and all in sailboats and have used combined auto and GPS on each and every voyage. They are a safe way of sailing and a good sailor is aware of where he is in relation to other traffic but sometimes one must take a potty break. A journey of 72 hours across the Gulf of Mexico will let you know just how good an idea it is. Never trust one on a river for more distance than you can see ahead as rivers a not often straight.
I would not have commented but the guy who says buy a sailboat has probably never left the dock for more than a 3 minute cruise. I have traveled thosuands of miles, usually single handed and all in sailboats and have used combined auto and GPS on each and every voyage. They are a safe way of sailing and a good sailor is aware of where he is in relation to other traffic but sometimes one must take a potty break. A journey of 72 hours across the Gulf of Mexico will let you know just how good an idea it is. Never trust one on a river for more distance than you can see ahead as rivers a not often straight.
Flame on...
Is that a personal nasty directed at me? Does it make you feel better? More masculine? B in tears *cry
Is that a personal nasty directed at me? Does it make you feel better? More masculine? B in tears *cry
Better Accuracy...so what
it slowed you down. When in a current, don't fight the current if you can help it. Either flow with it or get out of it as soon as you can. Now this may not work in some cases, but passing a river is a good example of when you should flow kind of with it while you try to get out of it, not head into it. An old Surfers tip, if a current is dragging you out to sea, don't paddle against it to get back to shore. Paddle across it to get out of the current, then back to shore. Otherwise you will wear yourself out and never make it back.
it slowed you down. When in a current, don't fight the current if you can help it. Either flow with it or get out of it as soon as you can. Now this may not work in some cases, but passing a river is a good example of when you should flow kind of with it while you try to get out of it, not head into it. An old Surfers tip, if a current is dragging you out to sea, don't paddle against it to get back to shore. Paddle across it to get out of the current, then back to shore. Otherwise you will wear yourself out and never make it back.
Sorry BSiegel
As you can tell, we can get off track pretty easy. I thnk you were asking about tying the two together and what that would do. If you can handle the electrical part, it is simply connecting the nmea/seatalk channels. Your instruction manuals will show you how to do that. Linking your GPS and autopilot won't automatically make you a bad sailor or turn you into a powerboater. I think the point everyone is trying to make is that relying on the two linked together to take you places is not a good idea if you ignore good ole methods as paper charts and visual observation. A friend set a buoy as a waypoint, went below, and ended up smashing his brand new sailboat into the buoy. Don't do that. I have tied mine together and use it occassionally. It is nice to set a waypoint and sail towards it. If there are currents, the autopilot will take direction from the GPS and self-correct. (Yes, if you fall off, swim across the current, then head for waypoint where your sailboat will be waiting....just kidding on the second part.) As an editorial comment, without flaming, some may put a whole trip into the GPS and spend their day letting the autopilot sail; I have to say don't do that, even if you do have charts handy. There's too much involved in sailing to let it become automated like that. Personally, that would remove the fun. Good luck and let us know if you have anything specific about the electrical connection.
As you can tell, we can get off track pretty easy. I thnk you were asking about tying the two together and what that would do. If you can handle the electrical part, it is simply connecting the nmea/seatalk channels. Your instruction manuals will show you how to do that. Linking your GPS and autopilot won't automatically make you a bad sailor or turn you into a powerboater. I think the point everyone is trying to make is that relying on the two linked together to take you places is not a good idea if you ignore good ole methods as paper charts and visual observation. A friend set a buoy as a waypoint, went below, and ended up smashing his brand new sailboat into the buoy. Don't do that. I have tied mine together and use it occassionally. It is nice to set a waypoint and sail towards it. If there are currents, the autopilot will take direction from the GPS and self-correct. (Yes, if you fall off, swim across the current, then head for waypoint where your sailboat will be waiting....just kidding on the second part.) As an editorial comment, without flaming, some may put a whole trip into the GPS and spend their day letting the autopilot sail; I have to say don't do that, even if you do have charts handy. There's too much involved in sailing to let it become automated like that. Personally, that would remove the fun. Good luck and let us know if you have anything specific about the electrical connection.
Why not?
Why wouldn't you hook it up?? After all it's only TWO wires. I've never used mine to steer to a waypoint but I use it all the time to display the SOG while the knotmeter is displaying speed through the water. That is when the impeller is clean, when it isn't I have the knotmeter display the SOG thanks to my little Garmin. And while you are hooking up wires be sure to run the 2 wire NMEA to your Raymarine DSC radio so a distress call will include position information. Gary H320
Why wouldn't you hook it up?? After all it's only TWO wires. I've never used mine to steer to a waypoint but I use it all the time to display the SOG while the knotmeter is displaying speed through the water. That is when the impeller is clean, when it isn't I have the knotmeter display the SOG thanks to my little Garmin. And while you are hooking up wires be sure to run the 2 wire NMEA to your Raymarine DSC radio so a distress call will include position information. Gary H320
Do What works for you
Do what you feel comfortable with. If you ask a thousand people you will get a thousnad answers because 1) everyone has an opinion (and most are right and wrong depending on the situation) 2)People sail in all different ways and for all different reasons. Using electronincs does not make you a powerboater or a sailor. My 60 year old father will not touch a computer, He does not neede all this high tech electronic stuff as long as he has a pencil and paper. same goes here..it is for some and not for others. To rely on any one method is foolish and to not use the best tools available is also foolish. But sometimes the best available also means what you can afford or feel confident operating. I cruise the Great lakes and when I am doing a 50 mile crossing I will use my autopilot at times. If you do the math 50 miles divided by 5 knots is a lot of hours to be holding on to the tiller. You are eventually going to have to run below for somthing our a pee break. The autopilot connected to a gps is a safe option. If you use this with common sense and keep a watch all will be fine and you will have a great time. If you set the autopilot so you can go below and sleep...well who knows...you may never see the boat that hits you or like someone else said the bouy you hit! I have been sailing for only four years and one thing I have learned is that know matter what YOU do someone will tell you it is the WRONG thing..ie.. Tiller vs Wheel, Charts vs GPS, AGM batteries vs Wet cell. Do what makes you sailing experience the most enjoyable and safe for YOU. If you follow the rules and are curtious you are far ahead of most out the wether they be sailors or powerboaters.
Do what you feel comfortable with. If you ask a thousand people you will get a thousnad answers because 1) everyone has an opinion (and most are right and wrong depending on the situation) 2)People sail in all different ways and for all different reasons. Using electronincs does not make you a powerboater or a sailor. My 60 year old father will not touch a computer, He does not neede all this high tech electronic stuff as long as he has a pencil and paper. same goes here..it is for some and not for others. To rely on any one method is foolish and to not use the best tools available is also foolish. But sometimes the best available also means what you can afford or feel confident operating. I cruise the Great lakes and when I am doing a 50 mile crossing I will use my autopilot at times. If you do the math 50 miles divided by 5 knots is a lot of hours to be holding on to the tiller. You are eventually going to have to run below for somthing our a pee break. The autopilot connected to a gps is a safe option. If you use this with common sense and keep a watch all will be fine and you will have a great time. If you set the autopilot so you can go below and sleep...well who knows...you may never see the boat that hits you or like someone else said the bouy you hit! I have been sailing for only four years and one thing I have learned is that know matter what YOU do someone will tell you it is the WRONG thing..ie.. Tiller vs Wheel, Charts vs GPS, AGM batteries vs Wet cell. Do what makes you sailing experience the most enjoyable and safe for YOU. If you follow the rules and are curtious you are far ahead of most out the wether they be sailors or powerboaters.
Auto is a cheap crew
I sail as recreation. Navigation with pencil and paper, keeping a deck log, and siting for hours at the tiller sound a whole lot like a job. I have a full time driver. (Blind, but still always dedicated) I have a full time Navigator. (Also blind, also tireless) Now if I wanted to micromanage my crew I could make the Navigator tell me where we are and what course to steer, then I will tell the helmsman. Or, I can just let the Navigator talk to the Helmsman directly and check their work now and then. What makes more sense? No all I have to do is look around, trim sails and enjoy the ride. My Navigator and Helmsman do the "sounds like a job" part, I get to tell them where we're going. They never talk back unless asked a question. They never take pee breaks. They don't eat. I have enough sea time not to have to prove that I'm a sailor by using methods that I learned 40 years ago. Trust me, Auto and I will get there just fine and probably get there first. Which as someone will be sure to point out "doesn't matter because I don't race". I'll wave at you while you anchor out after I've gotten to the last mooring. On almost any point of sail under most conditions Auto is a better driver than most of us. The conditions that are tough for Auto are the ones where it is fun to drive the boat.
I sail as recreation. Navigation with pencil and paper, keeping a deck log, and siting for hours at the tiller sound a whole lot like a job.
I have a full time driver. (Blind, but still always dedicated) I have a full time Navigator. (Also blind, also tireless) Now if I wanted to micromanage my crew I could make the Navigator tell me where we are and what course to steer, then I will tell the helmsman. Or, I can just let the Navigator talk to the Helmsman directly and check their work now and then. What makes more sense? No all I have to do is look around, trim sails and enjoy the ride. My Navigator and Helmsman do the "sounds like a job" part, I get to tell them where we're going. They never talk back unless asked a question. They never take pee breaks. They don't eat. I have enough sea time not to have to prove that I'm a sailor by using methods that I learned 40 years ago. Trust me, Auto and I will get there just fine and probably get there first. Which as someone will be sure to point out "doesn't matter because I don't race". I'll wave at you while you anchor out after I've gotten to the last mooring. On almost any point of sail under most conditions Auto is a better driver than most of us. The conditions that are tough for Auto are the ones where it is fun to drive the boat.- Status