Is Autopilot Necessary In PNW?

The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
my first two boats didnt have it and all of the other boats ive operated didnt have it. my Mainship does, and now I wouldnt own a boat without it. A good friend would go from the Chesapeake to the Keys every year. two years ago the trip was so stressful because he didnt have an AP, he sold the boat.
 
Like many other captains here, I strongly suggest adding an autopilot. You never have to use it. You will likely be amazed how often you'll chose to use it.
Best of luck and happy cruising whatever you decide.
Capt, Kirk
 
Just added a Garmin to my trawler here in the PNW. Best thing I’ve done. Had strong winds yesterday and it held to a degree. A lot less fatiguing!
 
TrawlerDavid said:
At age 70, I have made an offer on my first trawler after many years of sail. 1976 GB 36, well-maintained. Most importantly, my wife saw the boat yesterday and approved of the galley. Hull and complete engine surveys happening next week.
The boat does not have a functioning AP at the moment. Considering that our use will likely be day cruising and San Juan island trips rather than coastal or extended cruising, I'd appreciate thoughts from those of you with experience on whether the AP is essential or important for safety. I had an AP on my last sailboat, a Pearson 33, which was invaluable when I singlehanded and needed to hold course while raising and lowering sail. On the GB I always expect to have another person to helm while I move from lower to flybridge or use the head, and my practice is never to leave the helm when underway.
If not really necessary, then an expense and another system to maintain that won't be used much. But if those with experience think the AP is an important adddition I'll start research on what would integrate with the cable steering and Raymarine C140 plotter. Thanks for the assistance!
Click to expand...
Yes, if you can, install an auto pilot. We have a remote with ours that makes it very easy to change course. Will your wife be helming? If not, that leaves you in a tough spot without an auto pilot. Enjoy!
 
TrawlerDavid said:
At age 70, I have made an offer on my first trawler after many years of sail. 1976 GB 36, well-maintained. Most importantly, my wife saw the boat yesterday and approved of the galley. Hull and complete engine surveys happening next week.
The boat does not have a functioning AP at the moment. Considering that our use will likely be day cruising and San Juan island trips rather than coastal or extended cruising, I'd appreciate thoughts from those of you with experience on whether the AP is essential or important for safety. I had an AP on my last sailboat, a Pearson 33, which was invaluable when I singlehanded and needed to hold course while raising and lowering sail. On the GB I always expect to have another person to helm while I move from lower to flybridge or use the head, and my practice is never to leave the helm when underway.
If not really necessary, then an expense and another system to maintain that won't be used much. But if those with experience think the AP is an important adddition I'll start research on what would integrate with the cable steering and Raymarine C140 plotter. Thanks for the assistance!
Click to expand...
 
TrawlerDavid said:
At age 70, I have made an offer on my first trawler after many years of sail. 1976 GB 36, well-maintained. Most importantly, my wife saw the boat yesterday and approved of the galley. Hull and complete engine surveys happening next week.
The boat does not have a functioning AP at the moment. Considering that our use will likely be day cruising and San Juan island trips rather than coastal or extended cruising, I'd appreciate thoughts from those of you with experience on whether the AP is essential or important for safety. I had an AP on my last sailboat, a Pearson 33, which was invaluable when I singlehanded and needed to hold course while raising and lowering sail. On the GB I always expect to have another person to helm while I move from lower to flybridge or use the head, and my practice is never to leave the helm when underway.
If not really necessary, then an expense and another system to maintain that won't be used much. But if those with experience think the AP is an important adddition I'll start research on what would integrate with the cable steering and Raymarine C140 plotter. Thanks for the assistance!
Click to expand...
I recently purchased a GB36 with a defunct AP. My other boat that I had for 30 years had a pilot and I wouldn’t be without one. If you’re steering to a compass course or a GPS line you’re watching that a good part of the time. I installed a Garmin pilot with a linear drive to the quadrant. It steers like a dream. If you’re just traveling inland waterways steering by hand is OK, but for any kind of open water a pilot is essential ….. to me.
 
mpstan said:
Aren't APs considered a safety issue? What about keeping a boat on course in inclement weather, while someone requires medical attention?
Click to expand...
The flip side of that is AP's can be a safety issue, making it very easy to get complacent on your lookout skills. As so clearly demonstrated here with the appropriately named Nap Tyme:
 
Let’s put this back in context. Pleasure boat had right of way over ferry. Pleasure boat’s captain left the helm to sit on the toilet. Both captains were found to be at fault. One for leaving the helm unattended and failing to avoid a collision. The other for failing to yield right away and avoiding a collision.

Trying to use this example to suggest AP can contribute is like saying you can fix stupid.
 
TrawlerDavid said:
At age 70, I have made an offer on my first trawler after many years of sail. 1976 GB 36, well-maintained. Most importantly, my wife saw the boat yesterday and approved of the galley. Hull and complete engine surveys happening next week.
The boat does not have a functioning AP at the moment. Considering that our use will likely be day cruising and San Juan island trips rather than coastal or extended cruising, I'd appreciate thoughts from those of you with experience on whether the AP is essential or important for safety. I had an AP on my last sailboat, a Pearson 33, which was invaluable when I singlehanded and needed to hold course while raising and lowering sail. On the GB I always expect to have another person to helm while I move from lower to flybridge or use the head, and my practice is never to leave the helm when underway.
If not really necessary, then an expense and another system to maintain that won't be used much. But if those with experience think the AP is an important adddition I'll start research on what would integrate with the cable steering and Raymarine C140 plotter. Thanks for the assistance!
Click to expand...
In my experience, an auto-pilot is a necessity. Even if you're only going to drive an hour or two, the relief of having the wheel handled by Otto is not to be underestimated. My 1982 GB 36 has a Robertson (nee Simrad) auto-pilot handling steering and navigating chores through a Raymarine C-127 MFD. GB's of this era have cable steering. Allowing it to navigate to your predefined waypoint is quite a blessing. I barely touch the wheel except in the beginning and at the destination.
 
Not a necessity, but I would make sure to put one on any boat that I owned if it didn't have one already.
 
tiltrider1 said:
Trying to use this example to suggest AP can contribute is like saying you can fix stupid.
Click to expand...
My point still stands. AP can lead to complacency. People do stupid stuff all the time while on autopilot. You might not be able to fix, but you can’t deny it either.
 
captobie said:
My point still stands. AP can lead to complacency. People do stupid stuff all the time while on autopilot. You might not be able to fix, but you can’t deny it either.
Click to expand...
I am not saying that your statement is wrong. I am saying that the example posted has nothing to do with complacency.
 
Something I gather that is quite specific to the PNW is logs in the water. On my last trip if I had been running on AP (and not paying close attention) I would have run over 3 good size logs. This on a four hour run - two out two back. I really don't see the advantage in these waters, you have to be paying close attention at all times to what is in the water in front of you. I am not doing anything else but scanning in front of me AP or not. I have even run over a log when paying close attention - the log in question was almost a deadhead hidden in chop - impossible to see until it was too late. Going slow enough that the boat just pushed the log down and we went over it, no damage done but that was luck ... AP just makes it too easy for my attention to wander.
 
you have to be paying close attention at all times to what is in the water in front of you.
Exactly, situational awareness. But who said with autopilot on you can stop paying attention. Thus the benefit is from not having to steer while looking about.
 
I remember seeing a survey of yachts crossing the Atlantic. Those where the vessel was hand steered from the cockpit saw x number of other vessels on the crossing. Those on autopilot with the watch keeper in the cockpit saw about 1/3rd less. Those on autopilot with the watch keeper in the pilot house saw about 1/3rd less again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Californian 34 1981
Replies
1
Views
503
Blissboat
Blissboat
T
GB 36 wisdom inquiry
Replies
18
Views
3K
Cigatoo
Cigatoo
T
John Deere 6404DF-02 parts availability
Replies
11
Views
1K
rslifkin
R
B
starboard door for solo boater
Replies
23
Views
2K
Blissboat
Blissboat
T
GB 36 propane locker update advice
Replies
26
Views
2K
TrawlerDavid
T

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom