When do you use auto Helm?

[Daveinet]

AutoPilot is one of those things that make the trip much more enjoyable, even on a small lake. It may seem crazy to be siting with your hand inches from the tiller, and still running the AP, but that is what I do. Then just sit and enjoy the ride. Someone asked if it is worth the bother on a small lake where you tack every 10 minutes, but the reality is, you just hit the tack buttons, which allows you to only work the sails, so your time on the tiller is only a couple of seconds to hit the buttons.

 

[kito]

Can anyone tell me if the EV-100 wheel pilot has the autotack feature?. I read where the tiller version does but didn't find anything on the wheel version.

 

[Charlie98117]

Can anyone tell me if the EV-100 wheel pilot has the autotack feature?. I read where the tiller version does but didn't find anything on the wheel version.

Yes it does. You just hit the 1 degree and 10 degree buttons simultaneously.

 

[Keith13315]

We use ours most of the Time, I have had boats without and boats with. I will NEVER own a boat without again. It offers options if needed also that you don't have without it in cases where you may have an issue or even an emergency that requires your and "wifey" to attend. (whoo that wifely comment maybe you should rename Admiral" show some respect

 

[JohnShannon]

my ray marine pilot has that feature EV (whatever under deck thingy) but it isn't in the manual! So if you didn't find it you might not be crazy

 

[kito]

Yes it does. You just hit the 1 degree and 10 degree buttons simultaneously.

Forgive my ignorance but how does the unit know when to stop turning when you hit 'autotack' ? Let's say I am heading 45 degrees off wind on a starboard tack and hit the autotack feature, will it turn until I am 45 degrees on a port tack? I just don't want to end up in the water if it oversteers.

 

[JohnShannon]

Well there are four buttons. +1 port +10 port +1starbord +10 starboard. And in Raymarine math 1+10 = 90

So if you want to tack from port to starboard press +1 starboard and +10 starboard at the same time and you will get a 90 degree change of course. If you were on a beat that would equal tack. If you goof and press the wrong set of buttons then you would bear off from a beat to a reach

 

[kito]

Ok, thank you. The brown suited Santa comes this Monday with my ev-100. I won't install until next Spring but can read up on it anyway

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

This spring did a trip Texas to Florida and return,, single hand. Without the Tiller pilot, I would have gone insane.
Well, some have claimed I already was, but still

 

[walt]

About what is the "average" current draw at 12 volts for something like the ST2000? Sailing, motoring, light conditions, heavier conditions or any other condition that might influence the power use.. Im curious about any even somewhat accurate data but my particular application would be for a Mac 26S which is about the smallest lightest 26 foot sailboat out there.

 

[justsomeguy]

About what is the "average" current draw at 12 volts for something like the ST2000?

From 0.5A up to about 1.5A, depending on sail trim, sea state, etc.

I think...

 

[walt]

Thanks.. I am guessing that the current varies all over the place as its being used. You would almost need to have a battery monitor accumulating the current used (amp hours) then divide by the time you were monitoring amp hours. And to do this you would have to have all other loads turned off. So.. I understand its not any easy number to get.. but ballpark is OK also.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Over a lot of years of sailing, I've had only a few really close possible collisions. The closest of those instances were with boats seemingly on auto pilot with either no person at the helm, or the person at the helm was day dreaming. As a result, I always get out of the way early and make it clear that I am staying clear. Auto pilot is a really good tool -- if used with appropriate caution.

 

[Meriachee]

Walt, we had a ray 1000 on the Mac, and it was never an issue. On that boat, it actually worked more than the installed wheel pilot on the 270. The Mac being as light as it is required much more input to keep it on the course. That said, current draw isn't an issue. Almost any solar installation will provide more charge than the AP will ever draw.

 

[Calif. Ted]

"Forgive my ignorance but how does the unit know when to stop turning when you hit 'autotack' ? Let's say I am heading 45 degrees off wind on a starboard tack and hit the autotack feature, will it turn until I am 45 degrees on a port tack?"
On older Raymarine AP's you could set the tack angle at anything from 90 to 110 degrees, the new ones tack "relative". If the wind is 45 degrees apparent to port it tacks to 45 degrees apparent starboard.

 

[Meriachee]

Not necessarily. Mine, an SPX5 with a P70, running 3.05 will turn almost 180 degrees when the wind is less than about 10kts. Sometimes more than 180.

 

[kito]

Not necessarily. Mine, an SPX5 with a P70, running 3.05 will turn almost 180 degrees when the wind is less than about 10kts. Sometimes more than 180.

But how does it know the wind is less than 10 knots? Most will not have that ability. I for one will not have a wind speed meter.

 

[Meriachee]

Auto tack won't work properly without a wind sensor. It will work, but it won't tack to a wind direction. Likely it'll tack 90 degrees or something like that. You won't have the button on the i70 that lets you pick compass or wind, or f it's there, pressing it won't change anything.

 

[NoAgenda]

The tacking angle is adjustable on the EV-100. Mine AP isn't hooked to any wind instruments or GPS. I have it set to tack 100 degs. We use it almost 100% when motoring on our longer trips.

 

[rpwillia]

Well there are four buttons. +1 port +10 port +1starbord +10 starboard. And in Raymarine math 1+10 = 90

I recall in the Raymarine setup manual that you can adjust this. Default is 90, but there is flexibility in what the number actually is. FWIW, I left that setting at the default.