Specifications
74 AUTOPILOTS
AUTOHELM AUTOPILOTS – YOUR
EXPERIENCED EXTRA CREW MEMBER
It’s a beautiful day, the sun’s out and you fancy a
break. Let the autopilot take the strain while you
relax. The wind whips up, just hit the button while
you shorten sail or head below to check everything’s
secure. It's blowing a gale, the waves are 30' high,
and you're racing hundreds of miles from land…
From a basic tiller pilot to a powerful inboard system,
each Raymarine autopilot comes with a simple,
intuitive keypad and clear, functional LCD display.
So what is an Autopilot?
An autopilot connects to your steering system
and continually corrects your boat's heading
with information supplied by the compass, wind
transducers or GPS/Plotter.
Autopilots are designed to maintain an accurate
course in various sea conditions with minimal helm
movements. They can act as a
spare pair of hands or an extra
crew member allowing you to
trim the sails or get the fenders
over the side. Because they steer
so accurately, they will save fuel
and get you to your destination
faster, especially when
connected to a chartplotter.
Autopilots consist of three main components:
a heading sensor (usually a compass), a course
computer/processor and control head (the brains),
and a drive mechanism (the business end).
Autopilot Types
There are two types of autopilot, above deck and
Inboard (also called below decks). Above deck pilots
are simple to install and remain in the cockpit in all
types of weather. Inboard autopilots are permanently
mounted below decks and are more powerful, more
reliable, steer your boat better and can be supplied
with a range of autopilot controllers.
Raymarine autopilots work so
well that it's sometimes easy
to forget that they can't see –
they can't automatically avoid
obstacles or other vessels.
Always keep a vigilant watch.
Raymarine SPX
autopilots – the smart
choice
From a tiller pilot or wheel-
mounted Sportdrive to a full inboard system,
Raymarine SPX autopilots are powerful but simple
to use with a choice of clear , easy-to-read LCD
displays.
X-tra – accurate steering.
X-tra – accurate tracking.
X-tra – energy efficient.
X-tra – fuel efficient.
X-tra – easy to install and service.
PHOTO: NIMBUS BOATS