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7 Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

7 Best Sailboat Autopilots | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Essential in increasing efficiency, safety, and convenience, marine autopilots are a sailor's best friend when out there on the water. A properly operating sailboat autopilot will keep your sailboat on a selected course even in strong currents and winds and that why you need to go for the best sailboat autopilot.

Steering a sailboat is always fun. And even though many sailors are so good at it, some circumstances can make steering a boat on a straight line or the right course almost impossible. The tides, winds, and the complex hull-bottom designs can throw your sailboat off route and the adjustments that you have to make to return to course can be your voyage killers. Even if you have a crew that regularly sails with you, having an autopilot can help you stay on course and that's exactly why you need the best sailboat autopilot.

In the simplest term possible, an autopilot is an extra pair of hands that can help you in steering your sailboat on the right course. It is a self-steering device for powerboats or sailboats and even the most basic autopilot can help in holding your vessel on a pre-set compass course. Some advanced autopilots can even gather data from your boat and determine whether or not the boat is capable of handling the task in hand.

So whether you have a mechanically-steered boat or a tiller-steered sailboat, an autopilot is of great importance for both you and your boat. And it doesn't matter whether you want to explore your nearest lake for a day or want to sail to the Caribbean on your sailboat, it will make your job a lot easier, efficient, and safer. This is why we've put together this article to help you find the best sailboat autopilot. Read on and find which is best for you and your sailboat.

Table of contents

How to Choose the Best Sailboat Autopilot for Your Vessel

When it comes to choosing the best sailboat autopilot for your vessel, the easiest thing to do would be to go for an autopilot that can steer your sailboat in calm seas. However, this is not advisable since you want an autopilot that works perfectly under very demanding sea conditions. With that in mind, here are the most important things to consider when looking at the best sailboat autopilot for you. 

Speed of Helm Adjustment

The best way to measure the speed on an autopilot that's appropriate for your boat is by looking at the number of degrees per second of helm correction. As such a 40-feet boat requires 10 degrees per second, a 25-feet boat requires 15 degrees per second, and a 70-feet boat requires 5 degrees per second. 

An above-deck or below-deck Autopilot

Do you want an autopilot that's designed to be used above the deck or below the deck? Well, the most important thing is to choose an autopilot that matches the displacement of your boat. More importantly, above-deck autopilots are ideal if you have a smaller boat while below-deck autopilot is ideal if you have a larger boat.

The Steering System

What type of steering system does your boat have? It's important to understand whether your boat has rotary drives, linear drive, or hydraulic drives. 

Control Interfaces

You should choose what's perfect for you as far as the control interface is concerned because this is one of the most crucial parts of an autopilot. The best features to consider include ease of use, waterproof, intuitive display, backlit options, and compatibility with SimNet, SeaTalk, and NMEA 2000.

7 Best Sailboat Autopilots

Here are the 7 best sailboat autopilots.

Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot

(Best for Tiller-steered Sailboats)

The Raymarine ST100 Plus Tiller Pilot is a classic tiller pilot that's one of the best accessories for your sailboat and your everyday sailing escapades. It's designed in such a way that it can accept NMEA data while still offering accurate navigation thanks to its incredibly intelligent software.

This autopilot is designed with a backlit LCD to help you see your navigational data, locked course, and other important information that can make your sailing safer and much better. The fact that the backlit LCD works perfectly in low-light conditions is an added plus.

That's not all; the ST1000 comes with an AutoTack feature that works like an extra hand when you're engaged in other responsibilities. For example, it can tack the sailboat for you when you adjust the sails. Better still, this autopilot is fully-fitted with everything that you need to install it on your sailboat and use it.

  • ‍ It's easy to use thanks to the simple six-button keypad
  • It's perfect when sailing in the calm sea as well as in stormy conditions
  • It is waterproof so you don't have to worry about it getting damaged
  • Its intelligent software minimizes battery usage thereby prolonging its battery life
  • Perfect for tiller-steered sailboats
  • ‍ The 2-year warranty could be improved
  • It's a bit heavier

Garmin Ghc 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control

(Best for Night Sailing)

If you're planning to go on a voyage, chances are you'll find yourself sailing overnight. With that in mind, you should go for an autopilot that works perfectly both during the day and at night. The Garmin Ghc 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control is your best sailboat autopilot for these types of adventure.

This amazing autopilot is designed with a 4-inch display that can improve your nighttime readability. This display is glass-bonded and comes with an anti-glare lens that is essential in preventing fog and glare in sunny conditions. This is crucial in helping you maintain control in all conditions, both during the day and at night.

This autopilot also provides a 170-degree viewing angle. This is essential in viewing the display at almost any angle. So whether you're adjusting the sails up on the deck or grabbing an extra sheet below the deck, you can be able to look at the display and see what's going on. So whether a sailing vessel or a powerboat, this autopilot is easy to use thanks to its five-button control. 

  • ‍ The five-button control makes it easy to use
  • Comes with a bright 4-inch display
  • The display works in all conditions thanks to its glass-bonded, anti-glare lens
  • The display offers optimal view both during the day and at night
  • It's compatible with other Garmin products
  • ‍ Only good for sailboat under 40 feet in length
  • The battery life should be improved

Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

(Best for 32-feet or less Sailboat)

For many lone sailors, going with a sailboat that measures 32-feet or less in length is always ideal. Under such scenarios, it's always best to go with a sailboat autopilot that's perfect for such types of boats, and the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot can be a superb option for you. This autopilot is so perfect as it brings to the table a combination of advanced technological software and simplicity.

Its five-button display makes it user-friendly, easy to use, and perfect in controlling your sailboat accordingly. This autopilot has a low-power draw, which means that your battery will last longer even when used for prolonged periods. This is an excellent autopilot that's designed with the sailor in mind as it goes about its business quietly so that you can enjoy your sailing adventures without noise and interruption from a humming autopilot.

  • ‍ One of the quietest sailboat autopilots
  • The battery life is excellent
  • It's designed with one of the most advanced software
  • It's waterproof to protect it from spray and elements
  • It offers precision steering and reading in all types of weather conditions
  • It's easy to use and control
  • ‍ Not ideal for big boats

Raymarine M81131 12 Volt Type 2 Autopilot Linear Drive

(Best for Seasonal Cruising)

For those of us who love cruising during winter when other sailors are drinking hot coffee from the comfort of their abodes, the Raymarine M81131 is the right sailboat autopilot for you. Well, this autopilot can be an ideal option if your sailboat is large enough to have a full motor system.

This autopilot is one of the most powerful in the marine industry and has an incredible electromagnetic fail-safe clutch. This autopilot is also compatible with other devices such as NMEA 2000 ABD SeaTalk navigation data. In terms of precision navigation, this autopilot will never disappoint you in any weather condition.

So whether you're looking to go ice-fishing or sailing the oceans during winter, this is your go-to autopilot.

  • ‍ Offers optimal sailing experience and navigation precision
  • It's very quiet
  • It offers high performance with minimal battery usage
  • It's great for adverse winter conditions 
  • ‍ It's expensive

Furuno Navpilot 711C Autopilot System

(Best for Accuracy)

If you're looking for the best sailboat autopilot that will take your navigation to the next level in terms of accuracy, look no further than the Furuno Navpilot 711C. This is an autopilot that enhances your boat's precision as far as staying on course is concerned. This is because the autopilot is designed with a self-learning software program that offers step by step calculations of your navigation and course.

This autopilot also offers real-time dynamic adjustments so that you can steer your sailboat more accurately. Thanks to this self-learning algorithm also offers great power application that significantly reduces the manual helm effort when maneuvering various situations. Its colored graphic display is of great benefit as you can easily read the information even in low-light conditions. So it doesn't matter whether you're sailing at night or during the day, this autopilot will serve you right in any condition. 

  • ‍ It's great for power and fuel efficiency
  • The display is intuitive
  • It's easy to set up and use
  • Its power assist is essential in reducing steering system complexity
  • Great for both outboard and inboard motors
  • ‍ Quite expensive

Si-Tex SP120 Autopilot with Virtual Feedback

(The Most Affordable Autopilot)

If you're on a budget and looking for one of the most affordable yet reliable sailboat autopilots, look no further than the Si-Tex SP120 Autopilot. This is a perfect high-performance sailboat autopilot that can be great for small to medium-sized powerboats and sailboats.

One of the most important features that this autopilot brings to the table is the ability to offer virtual feedback. This is great in eliminating the manual rudder feedback and thereby enhances your sailboat's performance. Its splash-proof 4.3-inch LCD offers one of the best transflective displays in the marine industry. The 4-button operation makes it a lot easier to use and provides the information you need to steer your sailboat safely and perfectly.

This autopilot can be great for you if you have a small or medium-sized sailboat thanks to its ease of use. The fact that it's one of the most affordable sailboat autopilots makes it highly popular with sailors who are on a budget.

  • ‍ It's simple to install and use
  • The virtual feedback is great
  • The display is one of the best in the game
  • It's quite affordable
  • ‍ It's not ideal for big boats

Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot

(Best for Outboard Motor Boats)

If you have a motorboat that has a single-engine outboard, The Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot can be an ideal option. This is a great autopilot that mitigates heading error and unnecessary rudder movement while offering more flexible mounting, which is essential in offering a more comfortable sailing even in the roughest of weather conditions.

This autopilot can be easily fine-tuned thanks to its throttle settings with a touch of a button. Of course, this can be useful especially when the seas are rough and you're trying to remain on course. This autopilot is also waterproof to ensure that it doesn't get damaged with spray or other elements.

With this autopilot, you're guaranteed to enjoy an awesome sailing trip even when going against the wind or when sailing in rough conditions. 

  • ‍ Easy to install and use
  • It's waterproof
  • It's beautifully designed
  • It comes with a floating handheld remote control
  • It's great for maintaining heading hold and route.
  • ‍ It's only ideal for motorboats with up to 20 horsepower
  • It's relatively expensive

As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing an ideal sailboat autopilot for you. The best thing about the above-described sailboat autopilots is that they're among the best and you can find one that perfectly suits your unique needs and boats. Of course, most of them are quite expensive but they will advance the way you sail and make your sailing adventures even more enjoyable. We hope that you'll find the perfect sailboat autopilot for you.

Until next time, happy sailing!

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Best Autopilot For Sailboats of 2024

Unless you plan on growing multiple limbs or you have a large, regular sailing crew, then it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll need an autopilot to help you stay on course while you adjust the sails or grab something from below deck. Autopilots are useful for both the day sailors that enjoy exploring their home harbors and waters and for cruisers who plan on sailing at night and for weeks on end. Whether you have a tiller-steered sailboat or a mechanically-steered boat, there’s an autopilot that will work for you and your vessel. We’ve put together a guide to help you find the best autopilot for sailboats and for the type of excursions that you enjoy. Take a look, and see you out there, sailor!

For more of our top sailing gear recommendations, check out the Best Marine GPS Chartplotters .

Quick Answer - The Best Autopilot For Sailboats

  • Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot View at Amazon
  • Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot View at Amazon
  • Raymarine M81131 12 Volt Type 2 Autopilot Linear Drive View at Amazon
  • Garmin GHC 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control View at Amazon
  • Raymarine Evolution Ev-200 Sail Autopilot View at Amazon

Comparison Table - Best Autopilot For Sailboats

Reviews - best sailboat autopilot, raymarine st1000 plus tiller pilot.

  • Best Use : Tiller-steered Sailboats
  • Warranty : 2 years
  • Display Type : Backlit LCD
  • Voltage : 10-16V DC
  • Thrust : 125 lbs.
  • Data Interface : SeaTalk, NMEA 0183
  • Max. Recommended Displacement : 6,000 lbs.
  • Improved Waterproofing Ensures That You’ll Be Able To Use This Autopilot In Calm Seas And Stormy Weather
  • Intelligent Software Minimizes Draw On The Battery For Longer Battery Life
  • Simple Six-Button Keypad Makes It Easy To Use This Autopilot

BEST FOR: AFFORDABLE PERFORMANCE

This classic tiller autopilot is the perfect accessory for your day sailing vessel. The ST1000 can accept NMEA data with its intelligent software for accurate navigation to a waypoint. The backlit LCD display shows you your locked course and navigational data and information, even in the evening or low-light conditions. This autopilot also has an AutoTack feature, which will tack the boat for you while you adjust and handle the sheets and sails. Finally, the autopilot comes with everything you’ll need to install and use your device, including mounting socket, tiller pilot socket, gasket, cable clip, and clamp, among other items.

Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

  • Warranty : N/A
  • Display Type : N/A
  • Voltage : 12V DC
  • Thrust : 143 lbs.
  • Data Interface : N/A
  • Max. Recommended Displacement : 10,000 lbs.
  • Precision Steering In A Variety Of Weather And Water Conditions
  • Runs Very Quietly So That You Can Enjoy The Natural Sounds Of The Water
  • Waterproof Sealing Protects Against Spray And The Elements

BEST FOR: SAILBOATS UP TO 32’ IN LENGTH

If your sailboat is tiller-steered and 32 feet or less in length, than this Simrad TP10 TillerPilot is a great autopilot option for you. The combination of the advanced software in this autopilot with its simple, five-key display and controls make this device really user-friendly and effective in all types of weather conditions. This autopilot also includes battery use optimization with a low-power draw so that your battery lasts longer, even with prolonged use. Finally, this autopilot is designed with the sailor in mind. It runs extremely quietly so that you can truly get away from it all and enjoy your time on the water without whirring and interruption from the autopilot.

Raymarine M81131 12 Volt Type 2 Autopilot Linear Drive

  • Type : Linear Drive unit
  • Best Use : Mechanically-steered Sailboats
  • Voltage : N/A
  • Data Interface : SeaTalk, NMEA 2000
  • Max. Recommended Displacement : 33,000 lbs.
  • High Performance With Minimal Electric Current Consumption
  • Quiet Operation For Optimal Sailing Experience Without Extra Machine Noises Interrupting Your Peace And Quiet
  • Two Year Warranty For Added Security

BEST FOR: SEASONAL CRUISERS

Do you spend your winters cruising south towards Florida or the Carribean? If so, the Raymarine M81131 12 Volt Type 2 Autopilot Linear Drive might be right for you and your vessel. This autopilot is designed for sailboats with existing mechanical steering systems; if your vessel is large enough to have a full motor system, then you’ll want this type of autopilot with a powerful thrust and an electromagnetic fail-safe clutch. Finally, this system works in coordination with SeaTalk and NMEA 2000 navigation data so that you can count on precision navigation from your home port to a waypoint.

Garmin GHC 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control

  • Best Use : Power & Sailboats under 40 feet in length
  • Warranty : 2-year limited (Owner Installed); 2-year parts and onboard (Certified Installer)
  • Display Type : Glass-Bonded, Anti-Glare Color TFT Lens
  • Voltage : 9-32V DC
  • Thrust : N/A
  • Data Interface : NMEA 2K
  • Max. Recommended Displacement : Best for Power & Sailboats under 40 feet in length
  • Bright Four Inch Display With Glass-Bonded, Anti-Glare Lens For Optimal Viewing
  • Daylight Readability Is Enhanced By High-Contrast Color Scheme
  • Compatible With Quatix Marine Watch And Other Garmin Products

BEST FOR: OVERNIGHT EXCURSIONS

If you’re headed out on a multi-day excursion which might require some overnight cruising, you’re going to need an autopilot with a display that you can read well in low light conditions and at nighttime. This Garmin GHC 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control is the perfect product for that type of an adventure. 

Its four inch display with enhanced nighttime readability and glass-bonded, anti-glare lens to prevent fogging and glare in sunny conditions will help you maintain control in all types of conditions, at all times of day. It also has a 170 degree viewing angle, so whether you’re up on deck adjusting the sails or below deck grabbing an extra sheet, you’ll be able to glance over at the display and see what’s going on. This autopilot also works for both power and sailing vessels. Finally, its five-button control is easy to use, so you’ll be off on your sailing adventure before you know it.

Raymarine Evolution Ev-200 Sail Autopilot

  • Best Use : Mid-Size Mechanically-Steered Sailboats
  • Warranty : 2 years; 3 years with product registration
  • Thrust : 650 lbs.
  • Max. Recommended Displacement : 24,000 lbs.
  • Contains A High Tech Sensor And Full-Function Course Computer
  • Uses Artificial Intelligence Algorithms To Maximize Performance, Instead Of Manual Calibration
  • EV Sensor Core (GPS Unit) Can Be Mounted Above Or Below Deck

BEST FOR: SAILBOATS WITH MECHANICAL STEERING

If you’re looking for a powerful, tech-forward autopilot with cutting edge navigation technology, then the Raymarine Evolution EV-200 Sail Autopilot might be the right one for you. Designed with sophisticated AI algorithms that perceive the environment and instantly calculate and evolve steering commands, this autopilot optimizes your cruising experience without the need for manual calibration or adjustment. The result is precise steering and course keeping, regardless of the vessel speed or sea conditions. Finally, the package includes the EV sensor core, which is similar to a marine GPS unit. It can be bracket-mounted either above or below deck, depending on space and convenience.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING AUTOPILOTS FOR SAILBOATS

It’s important to consider the size of your sailboat before you purchase an autopilot. Autopilots are designed with specific thrust and power draws depending on the boat that it’s optimized for. Be sure to know the length of your boat as well as the water displacement (in pounds) so that you can choose the optimal autopilot device for you.

STEERING TYPE

Autopilots are a complicated piece of technology designed to keep you on course when you can’t be at the helm. If your sailboat is steered with a tiller, then you’ll be looking at the tiller-steered category of autopilots. If it’s mechanically steered, then you’ll be shopping for autopilots that are compatible with that type of a system. West Marine has a great resource archive for everything you need to know about sailing. Check out this informational article on  selecting an autopilot for more information.

HOW YOU USE YOUR SAILBOAT

Do you like to go out for the day to explore the area around your home port or do you cruise down to the Caribbean seasonally in winter? Are you able to handle your sailboat by yourself or do you typically need a crew? These are all types of questions to ask yourself before investing in an autopilot. Consider the type of boat that you have and how you enjoy using it to choose the best sailing autopilot unit for you.

FEATURES EXPLAINED

A horizontal bar fitted to the rudder of the boat and used as a lever for steering.

This term refers to the main body of the boat, including the sides, bottom, and deck, but excluding the mast, sails, rigging, and other features.

This term refers to the way a sailboat is maneuvered. If your desired course is into the wind, the boat is turned toward the wind so that the direction from which the wind blows changes from one side to the other, thereby allowing forward progress.

The helm of the boat is the place from which the boat is steered.

The sheets refer to the ropes or lines that adjust the movable portions of the sails.

This term refers to the front end of the sailboat.

The stern is the back end of the sailboat.

The port side of the sailboat is the left side of the boat when facing forwards towards the bow (or front) of the vessel.

The starboard side of the sailboat is the right side of the boat when facing forwards towards the bow or front of the vessel.

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Modern Sailboat Autopilots

  • By Dave Schmidt
  • Updated: May 8, 2019

autopilot drive

Hand steering is one of sailing’s greatest joys, but the truth is that most sailors struggle to hold an accurate course for more than 30 minutes. This is why racing crews regularly rotate drivers, and why most cruising sailors carry an autopilot that can handle helm duties when the weather turns bleak, attention deficits lurk or other onboard responsibilities take priority over chasing the compass card.

While autopilots have been steering recreational sailboats since Derek Fawcett introduced his original Autohelm in 1974, contemporary systems use solid-state components, cutting-edge processors and powerful algorithms to deliver significantly better performance and advanced features to aid in getting from Point A to B. Here’s a look at what’s on the market and the important things to consider when shopping for a new electronic hand on the helm.

At their core, autopilots consist of four basic components: a black-box central processing unit (CPU), which is the system’s brains and power supply; a hydraulic or electric drive unit that delivers the brawn that physically turns the boat’s rudder; a control head, which the helmsman uses to set a course with the touch of a button; and a heading sensor, commonly a fluxgate compass. Additional bells and whistles, such as a rudder-indicator sensor, a wind-and-speed sensor, and GPS and chart plotter can also be tied into the pilot system via an NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 network, allowing the autopilot to access the boat’s navigation system for increased functionality (more on that later).

In its simplest application, once the autopilot’s installed, a skipper manually steers the boat onto a desired course and engages the autopilot using the control head, which is typically mounted near the helm station. Course adjustments are typically made in increments of 1 and 10 degrees, either via hard-key buttons on the control head, a handheld remote control or an app.

When engaged, the autopilot relies on external sensors and internal algorithms to apply the least amount of rudder movement to maintain course. No matter who’s driving, excessive rudder movement directly equates to drag. While autopilots don’t fatigue in big waves the way a sailor might, they do consume more juice when they’re working hard, so autopilot manufacturers develop software controls to properly hold course without sapping boat speed or draining the batteries.

One of the most critical decisions when choosing an autopilot is ensuring that the drive unit is properly sized for the boat. “It’s all based on the boat’s displacement,” says Jim McGowan, Raymarine’s Americas’ marketing manager. When selecting a drive, he advises, “You want to use the boat’s dry weight and then add 20 percent to account for fuel, people and their gear.”

B&G autopilot

Autopilot drives are typically designed to work up to a certain weight, and it’s important to both performance and safety that this is properly matched as this in turn will dictate the system’s power requirements. Most sailboat-friendly autopilots draw between 2 and 7.5 amps, depending on the size of the CPU required by the system. While the CPUs in a given model range will typically employ identical algorithms, the bigger CPUs deliver more power to their drives.

When buying an autopilot system, be sure your vessel falls well within the designed working range. “When you fall on the line, you always want to go up,” advises McGowan. “It requires a lot of torque to drive the rudder arm in big seas, and if the pilot is up against its limit, there’s a lot more stress on the equipment and more heat buildup in the control unit.”

Matt Fries, B&G’s business acquisition manager, advises that customers should also take into account the design and sailing characteristics of their boat when selecting a drive. “A 40-footer with a full keel and an aft-hung barn-door rudder might require a more powerful drive than a 50-­footer of the same displacement that has a more balanced rig/keel configuration and a more modern rudder design,” he says. “It’s more important that the drive suits the boat than who makes it. If [a boat’s] existing drive works and is proven, we’re fine using it.” This same drive-system agnosticism exists amongst most manufacturers and potentially opens the door to cost-effective modular autopilot upgrades, as most modern autopilots can be matched up to power and control different drive types.

Furuno

As with all electromechanical systems, the course that the autopilot steers is only as accurate as the input of its sensors — in this case, the most critical data is the vessel’s compass course. While fluxgate compasses provide accurate azimuth information, their reporting rates of 1-10 hertz are sluggish to report course changes compared to today’s nine-axis compasses, which feature updated rates in the ballpark of 10-30 hertz, or that number of times per second. Moreover, the new breed of compasses are accurate to roughly plus or minus 2 degrees magnetic, and also deliver pitch, roll and yaw information, and in some systems, even heel angle. All this data means the autopilot’s CPU and algorithms can more efficiently stay on course. When networked with other onboard devices, the data can also account for vessel motion and the affect it has on wind angle and speed data. As a result, nine-axis compasses have largely usurped fluxgate compasses.

“The EV1 is the system’s decision maker,” says McGowan, describing the role of the solid-state attitude heading reference system (AHRS) that’s central to Raymarine’s Evolution autopilot system. “All smarts are in there, and it sends its command signals to the control head and the drive.” The system is upgradeable, allowing Raymarine to push new features out to existing Evolution autopilots.

While nine-axis compasses have become the industry standard for autopilot heading sensors, even more precise options exist. “Furuno pilots interface really nicely with our SC33 satellite compass,” says Eric Kunz, Furuno’s senior product manager. And, he notes, the cost for these sophisticated compasses has been dropping. “It delivers roll, pitch and heave information, and it’s accurate to .5 degrees, which allows the system to steer a straighter course.”

As previously mentioned, modern autopilots are typically NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 compatible, allowing their information to be displayed and sometimes controlled via the vessel’s chart plotter. “One thing that’s changed dramatically is that you used to need a dedicated control head, but now plotters can control this,” says McGowan. In other words, Raymarine chart plotters can control the company’s Evolution autopilots. While this capability exists across all brands, not everyone is sold on chart-plotter control alone.

“I wouldn’t go to sea with just a chart plotter controlling the autopilot,” says Kunz, citing safety risks. “With our NAVpilot-711C, you need a connection between the processor and the control head and the heading sensor.” Up to six control heads can be added to the system.

Garmin

Irrespective of what interface a boat owner employs, today’s autopilot systems offer new capabilities and sailing-specific features. Perhaps most publicized is their ability to auto-calibrate and adapt to a vessels particular motion underway.

“Before our Evolution autopilots, it took a lot of work to get a [Raymarine] autopilot set up and calibrated,” says McGowan. “You had to spin circles so that the autopilot could figure out the boat’s magnetic deviation.” By contrast, Evolution pilots automatically “learn” the boat’s turning characteristics over time. They work right out of the box, and their AHRS sensors are so sensitive that they can calculate what’s happening on the boat in real time.

While this is great for anyone who hates owner’s manuals, not all experts are ready to trust in technology alone.

“All autopilots should be properly commissioned and sea-trialed to ensure proper steering performance before being put into service,” says Fries. While B&G’s pilots support auto-calibrating and self-learning capabilities, there’s useful information that’s best gleaned the old-fashioned way. “After swinging the compass, the system gives you a field percent score, which shows the ratio of the boat’s local magnetic field to the earth’s magnetic field. I like to see less than 15 percent.” (See “Smartphone Detection,” below)

Raymarine’s autopilot system

Once set up and calibration is complete, users can dial in the amount of acceptable cross-track error when underway. Furuno, for example, offers two different driving modes: economy and precision. “With precision mode, we’re trying to keep the boat right on the cross-track line,” says Kunz. The system essentially sets a waypoint 100 miles out and maintains a course that’s within a 6- to 10-foot accuracy zone. In economy mode, the system lets the vessel’s course drift more, so there’s less rudder movement and drag. Kunz says this is especially beneficial to bluewater sailors.

Another interesting feature involves using the vessel’s cartography and chart plotter capabilities to automatically generate a route, which is sent to the autopilot as a series of waypoints. “If you’re using a Garmin chart plotter, running Garmin’s g3 cartography and using a Garmin autopilot, the system will follow a route that was generated by auto-­routing,” says Dave Dunn, Garmin’s director of sales and marketing for marine. Furuno also offers similar capabilities thanks to its ownership stake in TimeZero (née Nobeltec and MaxSea). “TimeZero can take in the boat’s polars and take into account wind [forecasts] and the best time to go,” says Kunz. Skippers using computers that run the necessary Windows-compatible software can access this same functionality using a USB gateway that connects to the autopilot’s processor.

While NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 compatibility between the autopilot CPU and a chart plotter or computer has in some cases eliminated the need for a dedicated control head, it has also opened the door for app-based remote control. Contemporary chart plotters are all Wi-Fi enabled and most manufacturers, including Garmin and Furuno, build smart-device apps that deliver wireless plotter control, and therefore autopilot control. For the record, B&G and Raymarine do not allow this functionality for safety reasons.

In addition, Garmin allows users to control their autopilots via a quatix 5 watch and the company’s new Reactor Autopilot Remote controller, which features gesture control (see “Mind Control,” left). “You just point it to a heading, and the boat will sail the course,” says Dunn. As of now, Garmin is the only manufacturer to offer a gesture-sensitive control for a sailboat-compatible system, however Furuno makes a similar remote control for its powerboat-specific NAVpilot 300.

Recent years have also seen the advent of newer ­sailing-specific software features such as B&G’s ability to steer to specific wind angles. “If you engage the pilot’s wind mode, it will steer apparent wind angles, and downwind it will steer true wind angles,” says Fries. “The idea is that it’s easy to sail to the telltales upwind, but when you’re sailing downwind in seas, true wind angle is more stable and can avoid a crash gybe.”

McGowan says Raymarine has updated the Evolution’s ability to steer a course using a windvane as well, and it has also improved the system’s ability to perform automatic tacks when sailing to weather without overstanding its new course.

Finally, modern autopilots usually offer some sort of man-overboard mode, be it prescripted driving patterns or the ability to hold the bow in irons.

NKE takes this a step further with its system-agnostic Crew Transmitter, which establishes an electronic link with your nav system that’s broken if a user-worn pendant travels more than a certain distance away. Should this happen, the nav system drops a pin and triggers onboard MOB alarms. Using NKE’s Gyropilot remote control system, if an NKE autopilot is engaged at the time of the crew-overboard incident, it will either turn the boat into the wind or, if there’s no networked wind sensor, put the helm hard over.

Given the increased functionality, features and performance of modern autopilots, there’s little reason to suffer long stints at the wheel unless, of course, you feel like steering just for the fun of it.

David Schmidt is CW_’s electronics editor_.

Autopilot Manufacturers

  • B&G : 603-324-2042; from $2,300.
  • Furuno : 360-834-9300, from $3,400.
  • Garmin : 800-800-1020, from $2,000.
  • NKE Marine Electronics : from $5,400.
  • Raymarine : 603-324-7900, from $2,000.

Smartphone Detection

Magnetic interference is a time-honored autopilot headache and can be triggered when equipment is loaded aboard or new systems are added. While properly installed, self-learning autopilots will eventually detect — and correct for — this interference, a smarter and more immediate tip, says B&G’s Matt Fries, involves using an app. “Everyone has a smartphone, and there are [deviation-sensing] apps that measure the boat’s magnetic field,” says Fries. “An owner might not realize that there’s an [outboard] motor behind a bulkhead.”

If there’s a magnetic-interference issue at play, this trick, coupled with the field-angle percentage that’s generated when swinging the boat and autopilot compass, should reveal the culprit.

Mind Control

An 8- to 10-knot southerly blew across Seattle’s Portage Bay as John Tenneson, owner of the nicely appointed J/145 Jedi , handed me Garmin’s new gesture-enabled Reactor Autopilot Remote controller, which was wirelessly tethered to Jedi’s Garmin autopilot. I aimed the controller 10 or 15 degrees off the port bow, pressed a button and Jedi immediately responded. Next, I made a slower turn to starboard, followed by a few dozen more maneuvers, executed simply by gesturing and pressing.

Reactor Autopilot

The remote also handles industry standard 1- and 10-degree course correcting commands and features three user-programmable hot keys, a dedicated MOB button and the ability to initiate auto tacks, based on apparent wind angles. The auto tack feature is especially helpful for shorthanded upwind work.

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My Cruiser Life Magazine

6 Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

Hand steering a sailboat is so much fun – until it isn’t. In actuality, it’s tiring work that requires more concentration than we can give it for very long. Racing sailboats switch helmspersons regularly, and offshore passagemakers never rely solely on hand steering. In fact, a breakdown of automatic steering is a big problem for a short-handed vessel offshore.

Sailboat autopilot come to our rescue again and again. These crewmembers don’t need sleep, food, or water, and they never complain much. So let’s take a moment to appreciate these wonders of modern technology, and credit them with what they make possible. Here’s a look at the inner workings of Otto the Pilot, including his care and feeding.

Table of Contents

What is a sailboat auto pilot how does it work, what can an autopilot do, what can’t an autopilot do, mechanical windvane, electrical sailboat autopilots, control head, computer, “black box,” or “core pack”, rudder angle sensor, other input sensors, size and displacement of your vessel, types of drive unit, functionality and integration with mfd, small boat tiller pilots, below deck autopilots, sailboat autopilot faqs, navco/b&g, simrad, lowrance.

At the most basic level, the purpose of an autopilot is to steer the boat so you don’t have to. Steering a boat is like steering a car–every bend and curve in even a straight road will set the vehicle on a new course. So while sailing, every wave will wiggle the boat around. What’s more, the boat’s designed-in weather helm tendencies will cause it to want to head up into the wind. So steering a sailboat requires constant attention and work. 

After about 30 minutes, even the best helmsmen will start to waiver. An autopilot relieves you of some of this workload. It allows you to safely stand watch at the helm for hours at a time because you don’t have to worry about every bump, wave, and wind gust blowing you off course.

Do Boats Have Autopilot?

Of course, not every boat has an autopilot. It likely doesn’t need one if the boat is designed for day sailing. Half the fun of day sailing lies in the handling of the boat–the actual sailing part! Having an autopilot might be handy, but it’s hardly a necessity.

But boats that are built to travel for hours, days, or weeks at a time need an autopilot of some sort. There are many types of autopilots out there, even some mechanical ones that require no electricity . They vary in functionality, but their basic purpose is to relieve the helmsperson of some of the work. 

With that in mind, all autopilots can perform some basic functions. No matter how basic they are, they can all hold the boat’s course and points of sale in a relatively straight line. How they accomplish this depends on their complexity and what sort of sensors or inputs the autopilot has to understand the world around it.

Advanced modern autopilots usually have three modes you can select from. They can hold a compass heading, a bearing off of the wind, or hold a GPS course to the next waypoint. 

sailboat autopilot

As amazing as autopilot is and as much work as they can do for us, they have some very big limits. What can’t an autopilot do? It can never replace an able helmsperson exercising good seamanship.

What does that mean? First and foremost, it is the legal responsibility of every vessel operator to maintain a continuous lookout. This is one of the most fundamental regulations in the COLREGS – the international laws set to prevent collisions at sea. 

In other words, only a human standing watch and looking out for hazards can see and avoid those hazards. An autopilot has no sensors to understand the world around it in that way–it can’t see other ships, boats, landmasses, rocks, or markers. So if it’s holding its course and something is ahead of it, it will run right into whatever lies in its way.

Many new sailors want to know if they can sleep while the autopilot drives the boat. The autopilot will certainly keep driving the boat–but it will keep driving it forever–onto the beach, into the side of a container ship, or straight into a metal day beacon.  

Another thing that autopilots don’t know is when to stop. They keep going until the helmsman switches them into “standby” mode. Here’s a horror story that I’ve heard a few times–it’s the middle of the night, and the boat is on autopilot. The skipper needs to pee, so he walks to the stern rail and falls off. His wife awakes two hours later for her watch, only to find an empty boat that’s still steering a perfect course away from her dear darling husband. 

Now, ladies, before you get any ideas, this is supposed to be an illustrative and cautionary tale about autopilots, not marriages.

Types of Autopilot

It’s impossible to understand the role and purpose of modern autopilots without first discussing the tried and true mechanical windvane. 

The windvane is a simple item mounted to the back of the boat. Above the water is a windvane that swings to point into the wind. Through a series of linkages, it is attached to a rudder below the water–either its own rudder or attached to the boat’s rudder.

sail boat auto pilot

The skipper uses a line to select the direction off of the wind – using the windvane – that they wish to steer. The windvane then corrects for any changes by moving its rudder left or right. 

The windvane is pretty simple in theory and ultra-reliable. Before the days of solar and wind generators , the fact that they used no electrical power was their biggest selling point. They’re still popular with offshore sailors today, mostly because of their reliability and simplicity. While a lightning strike could take out every electrical component on your boat, it wouldn’t hurt a windvane. 

For all its plusses, the windvane has some limitations. It only works when sailing in steady winds–if you’re trying to hold your course while motoring on a windless day, it won’t do much. They are also large and bulky, mounted on the stern of the boat in a place where most coastal sailors want to have their dinghy or a nice swim step.

Electric autopilots are a technology borrowed from the powerboat world. There’s fundamentally no difference between a sailboat autopilot and one built for a powerboat.  

Above-Deck or Cockpit Autopilots

An above-deck autopilot has all of its components mounted at the helm. It’s a simple and less expensive solution popular with smaller coastal cruising boats. 

For a basic autopilot like this, an electric mechanism will turn your steering wheel or tiller. It works fine on smaller boats and in calm conditions. However, the drive units are not powerful enough to move a big boat or a boat in very rough conditions . These units are commonly called wheel pilot and tiller pilot systems.

Below-Deck or Inboard Autopilot System

The best solution, albeit the more expensive and complicated one, is the below-deck autopilot. The rudder is turned by a series of servo motors or hydraulics below decks.

The biggest advantage of most of these systems is that the autopilot usually has its own attachment to the rudder post. In the event of a steering failure, the autopilot will often still control the boat just fine.

Another advantage is that the autopilot drive motor can be sized correctly for the vessel. Hydraulic rams that produce incredible force can be mounted. These can control any vessel in any sea condition if sized correctly.

Sail Boat Auto Pilot Components

Today’s autopilots are complex electronic systems built of several components that work together to get the job done. Most advanced autopilots consist of the following parts.

  • Control head
  • Electronic flux-gate compass
  • Black box computer or core pack
  • Rudder position and other sensors

Raymarine Pilot Ev-400 A/P with P70R No Drive

There must be some controls for the helmsperson to manipulate the helm of the boat . This is usually in the form of an instrument-sized control head that monitors and controls the autopilot system. 

The autopilot computer cannot know the compass course of the boat without having an electronic flux-gate compass. It is usually mounted somewhere in the boat far from other electromechanical systems, like a locker in the stateroom. 

The autopilot’s processor will have a central black box that receives input from its various sensors. It also directly controls the drive motor, telling it when to come on and which direction to steer with how much force.

The drive unit mounts to the rudder post of the boat. It is generally preferred that the drive attach directly to the post so that if anything on the regular steering system breaks, the autopilot will still function. In the case of an above-deck autopilot, the drive unit is usually a simple electric motor or a magnetic servo mounted to the wheel.

There are a few methods of below-deck drive that can be matched to the vessel’s existing steering system. For example, powerboats with outboards often have hydraulic steering installed. In addition, there are autopilot drive systems that you can install in line with this existing system. 

The most common type of drive on sailboats is the linear ram drive. This is a rod that pushes straight in or out. When mounted to an arm on the rudder shaft, it can turn the rudder through its full range of motion.

The ram can be powered by either an electric motor of the sailboat and gears or hydraulics. 

A position sensor is mounted on the rudder shaft to ensure that the autopilot knows the rudder’s angle. It operates an indicator on the control head. But more importantly, it helps calibrate the system to know where the center is and how much deflection is given to each side. 

The complexity of your autopilot is also dependent on how many other electronics are networked into the autopilot computer. Most marine networks now work on the NMEA2000 standard. If that’s the case, and your autopilot talks to your other instruments, you’ll likely get a few extra benefits. 

If you have an electronic wind instrument onboard, your autopilot will be able to hold a true wind angle. This is a great way to run a cruising boat and like using an old-school windvane. 

For example, you might be running a course to your destination and find it sailing downwind . Instead of risking an accidental jibe with your boat , you set up a course with the wind 160 degrees to starboard. The autopilot will hold that wind angle for you, even if the wind shifts slightly. Then, you can determine when, where, and if you need to jibe.

If your autopilot “talks” to your MFD (multi-function display), you can get even more options. If you plot a course directly to a waypoint, your autopilot can track the sailboat on that line using the “Navigation” function. Remember that it won’t know what to do when you get there, so it will likely deactivate itself. It’s just holding that pre set compass course.

Alternatively, you could program an entire route into your GPS. This series of waypoints, all located in safe water, guides you from departure to destination. Most GPS systems will communicate the turns in the route to the autopilot, allowing it to follow that pre-programmed route without you touching it. 

Picking the Best Sailboat Autopilot

Picking an autopilot for your boat is one of those big undertakings that can quickly balloon out of your control. 

Here’s my own experience installing an autopilot from scratch. I share it here not as a how-to guide but as a cautionary tale into exactly how involved a project that this can become. 

Our sailboat came with a home-built above-deck autopilot. It functioned acceptably in calm waters, but its belt drive was easily overpowered in following seas. It was also something of a hassle to activate and deactivate. So in replacing our GPS and other electronics, we knew we wanted to upgrade to something more able to handle offshore weather.

We settled on B&G electronics for our boat. The existing autopilot had a newer Raymarine control head, compass, and computer, which I hoped to reuse. I wanted to get a linear drive unit to mount below decks. 

While I could get a Raymarine linear drive that would communicate with the Raymarine computer I owned, I could not get one big enough for my boat. So a new black box was required. 

I could not find a hydraulic drive unit that would fit the dimensions of our boat. There wasn’t much space near the rudder, and most hydraulic units were big. So I settled for an electric linear drive from Raymarine, but the most powerful one. 

I then discovered there was no easy way to mount the drive unit. My rudder post did not have an arm for it, so I would have to have that built custom. Plus, there were no flat spaces in the compartment nearby where the drive could be bolted on. 

Thankfully I could mount the Raymarine linear drive at any angle. I had to build angled blocks out of solid wood, allowing the drive motor to be mounted on its side and at a 30-degree angle to the rudder post. I then had a custom-made arm built by Edson Marine with a 30-degree offset, a $600 unexpected expense. This strange and complicated arrangement was the only way I could get the drive to give full deflection of the rudder within its designed mounting limits. 

So, what began as a $1,200 project for a new drive unit ballooned into a complete replacement project with all electronics costing over $4,000, plus another $1,000 in miscellaneous parts and modifications. This is for a 38-foot sailboat and doing all the work myself. The project would have easily cost $10,000 or more had I had a boatyard do the labor. 

How did I choose which autopilot would be best? Well, there aren’t actually that many choices. While many companies make hydraulic rams, only Raymarine had electric linear drives. I already had B&G electronics, so it only made sense to buy the same for maximum compatibility. 

In the end, the system works flawlessly, and I am very happy. But it goes in the folder of boat projects I hope never to do again. So, from one sailor to another, my advice is to buy a boat that is already set up the way you like it! Most newer boats come from the factory set-up for a below-deck autopilot, so all you should ever have to do is replace the components.

The most important factor in choosing your autopilot is to size it correctly according to the boat’s displacement. This will ensure that the unit has enough power to move the rudder when it’s underway. The force needed to move the rudder is proportional to the size of the rudder and the speed at which the vessel is moving. 

For whatever type of drive unit you choose, you will be given some operating limits of what it can and cannot do. For example, Raymarine makes three versions of their mechanical linear drive. Type 1 is for boats up to 24,000 lbs, Type 2S for up to 33,000 lbs, and Type 2L for vessels up to 44,000 lbs. The arms have a stroke of 12 (S model) or 16 (L model) inches, which must accommodate the movement of your rudder from stop to stop. Finally, the physical dimensions of the drive need to fit in the space provided.

Raymarine makes about the most complete line of autopilot drives on the market today. Currently, Raymarine has five types.

  • Hydraulic pumps for hydraulic steering 
  • Hydraulic linear arms
  • Mechanical linear arms
  • Mechanical rotary motors for chain and sprocket drives
  • Sterndrive actuators for boats with power-assisted steering

The drive unit you choose will be part of your overall system design. It depends on how your steering system works and how and where you’re going to plug in the autopilot drive.

If you’re installing new electronics with your autopilot, getting a unit that matches the rest of your navigation technology makes sense. If you have Garmin, stick with Garmin; likewise, Raymarine or B&G. All make good products. The benefits of having them work together flawlessly are greater than any benefit you’ll get from mixing and matching different brands.

For example, my B&G autopilot allows me to control the autopilot directly from my MFD instead of having a separate control head. This saved me some money and space at the helm since a control head would be another $500 and another instrument face to mount. It also means that I can use the big touch screen and menu system to set up the autopilot and calibrate it.

Sailboat Autopilot Reviews

When shopping for an autopilot, you may find it difficult to shop online. More often than not, suppliers will have one component you need but not another. No one keeps all of these parts in stock and available for immediate shipment. You’ll wind up piecing together your autopilot system with parts from several sources. 

More often than not, what owners need is to replace one component. For example, maybe the drive unit went bad, or their control head display died. In these cases, simply replace the same part number from whoever has the part.

If you’re replacing the entire system or all of your electronics, it may be easiest to work directly through the manufacturer or their local distributor. However, if you’re willing to shop around, you might be able to find kits and individual components through Amazon, West Marine, Defender, or other marine stores. 

Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

The TP10 is an entry-level, easy-to-use autopilot built for boats with tillers up to 32 feet long. It mounts simply in the cockpit and has easy controls. Best of all, it’s waterproof.

sailboat autopilot review

  • Simrad TP10 Tiller Pilot

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Raymarine ST2000 Plus Tiller Pilot

Raymarine makes a similar line of tiller pilots. This model, A12005, is for vessels weighing up to 10,000 pounds. 

sailboat autopilot review

  • Add custom text here

Raymarine Pilot EV-400 Autopilot (No Drive Included)

For below-deck mounted systems, Raymarine makes two levels of the computer system–the EV-200 or EV-400. This is the 400, which is big boat approved and will drive their largest Type 3 mechanical or hydraulic drives. Match the correct drive unit to the size and configuration of your vessel. 

This kit also comes with the P70R, a rotary dialed controller for the helmsperson. The knob is a great feature that makes turning the boat in small increments a lot easier. 

sailboat autopilot review

  • Precision monitoring of heading, pitch, roll, and yaw allowing the Autopilot to Evolve Instantly as Sea conditions and vessel dynamics change

Garmin Reactor 40 Corepack for Mechanical or Retrofit Autopilots

Garmin autopilot systems are based around the Reactor 40 “core pack.” Unfortunately, most of Garmin’s autopilot kits available online are designed for modern boats or those with hydraulic steerings systems. To piece together a kit for a classic sailboat with cable or Edson steering, start with this retrofit core pack directly from Garmin.

This kit includes: 

  • Course computer unit
  • GHC20 control head
  • Electronic control unit (ECU)
  • Cables and NMEA2000 connectors

Garmin Reactor below deck autopilot

B&G (Simrad) NAC-3 Core Pack and Compass

This kit includes the main computer for the Simrad family of autopilots. You can couple this with any type of drive unit. All controls for the autopilot are accomplished through the B&G Zeus or Vulcan multi-function display. If you want a dedicated control panel, they sell that as well. You may also need a rudder position sensor to make the system work.

sailboat autopilot review

Furuno NAVPILOT300

This is an all-in-one solution that requires fewer parts. You’ll still need a drive unit and a heading sensor to make a complete system. 

sailboat autopilot review

Top Brands of Sailboat Auto Pilot

As mentioned above, the big names in sailboat instruments all offer autopilot packages. If you’re only replacing the autopilot electronics, keeping everything the same brand makes sense. However, if you’re replacing everything, you have bigger choices to make. 

Garmin applies the lessons they learned by making several generations of aircraft autopilots. Their systems integrate much more than a simple flux-gate compass–their autopilots are built with a full-fledged AHRS (Attitude Heading Reference System).

Using this Autopilot Compatibility Guide , you can figure out which Garmin autopilot is right for you.

Navco is the parent company of three different electronics brands–B&G, Simrad, and Lowrance. That’s a perk because you can mix and match components between the three names at will. B&G is the favored brand for sailboats. The B&G NAC-2 and NAC-3 autopilot computers are the basic start for the typical cruising yacht. High-end racers and luxury boats will want to look into the fancier H5000 autopilot system. 

Simrad sells a line of basic tiller pilots for above-deck autopilot installs on small boats.

Raymarine is one of the older and most trusted brands in marine electronics. Their autopilots are robust and come in any arrangement you like. In addition, they have one of the only above-deck wheel-drive autopilot systems on the market, the EV-100 SAIL. They also have tiller pilots and a complete lineup of below-deck options.

Furuno is an underdog in the recreational marine industry – favored by professionals but often overlooked by the private boat owner. Their autopilot NAVPILOT offerings are adaptive controllers designed to make boat handling easier. Most are designed for outboard hydraulic-steer fishing boats, but their control heads and computers will work with almost any type of setup.

How much does a sailboat autopilot cost?

The cost and complexity of an autopilot system depend on the size of the boat. Small tiller-steered daysailors can usually at a tiller pilot for less than $1000. 

A below-deck autopilot, with all of the components to make it work with your multi-function display, will set most owners back $4,000 or $6,000. In addition, if the boat does not already have a below-deck autopilot, there may be quite a bit of labor necessary to build platforms or brackets to adapt the drive unit to the rudder post.

Do sailing yachts have autopilot?

Yes, most sailboats larger than daysailers have autopilots. These vary in complexity from mechanical windvanes to extensive electronic systems that tie into the boat’s GPS and multi-function displays.

Can you sleep while your boat is on autopilot?

A good autopilot will steer a boat for you, on a constant heading or wind angle, through nearly any conditions. However, it cannot ensure that you don’t hit anything–like another vessel. It is illegal to operate a vessel without a “proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate…to make a full appraisal of the situation and or the risk of collision” (COLREGS Rule 5).

sailboat autopilot review

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

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Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

Autopilots are more than just a luxury. They keep you safe, by keeping the boat on course. But what are the best sailboat autopilot systems?

Michael Moris

October 17, 2023

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

The best choice is a system that has multiple sensors built into the device itself. You want something that can detect wind direction and speed, water conditions and the boat's position from GPS signals. Raymarine, Garmin, Furuno and Simrad make quality autopilot systems that include these features.

Sailboats are wonderful recreational vessels. They provide a relaxing way to spend time on the water, and also allow you to explore new places all over the world. The problem is that they can be hard to maneuver when there's no autopilot system in place. If you want your sailboat adventures to run smoothly, then it's important that you find a reliable autopilot system for your boat!

If you are in the market for a new sailboat autopilot system, then it can be difficult to figure out which one is best. There are many different brands and models that all have their benefits. In this article, our team of experienced sailors will help you determine which autopilot system is best for you.

sailboat autopilot review

Table of Contents

‍ 1. Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot

Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot

The  Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot  has been around for a while. In fact, it can be considered as the older brother of the ST8002. And if you compare this one to its younger sister, only one word comes to our mind - "performance." Where the newer model was said to produce better results, it turns out that his much older brother (ST1000) is much more effective in terms of performance and features!

So, what's so special about this Tiller Pilot?

First, let us think, why do we need a device like this at all? As boating enthusiasts, we are always looking for new gadgets which can make our boating experience more interesting, easier, or just plain better. So, there are times when it gets quite difficult to handle the boat, especially in windy conditions. That's where a Tiller Pilot comes in handy as it can take over the steering wheel job for you, allowing you to relax and enjoy your sailing trip.

Now, there are many different Tiller Pilots on the market, but we believe that Raymarine ST1000 Plus is one of the best out there. It is simple to use and very reliable, plus it comes with some really neat features which make it stand out from the crowd. One of these features is its ability to hold course even in strong winds and cross currents. This is thanks to its patented Gyro-Compass technology, which ensures precise navigation at all times. So, if you're looking for a quality Tiller Pilot for your boat without breaking the bank - you can't go wrong with this one.

It can handle NMEA data from a variety of sources, such as radar, GPS receiver, wind instrument, and even autopilot interface. So, you can see that it's not just a steering control unit but also an onboard computer with built-in sensors and a GPS receiver.

Furthermore, the AutoTack feature makes the ST1000 Plus a very versatile piece of equipment. With just a touch of a button, it can execute a tack or jibe, making it very easy for you to change course.

It is compatible with most boats out there, so you don't have to worry about compatibility issues too much. But one thing we noticed during our review was the lack of internal navigation charts, which means that you cannot use this Tiller Pilot as a standard Chartplotter unless you connect an external device or buy additional software for this purpose. Despite this drawback, we believe that Raymarine ST1000 Plus is the best Tiller Pilot for your boat available on the market right now!

In conclusion, the Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot is a great piece of kit that will make your sailing trips much more enjoyable. It is simple to use, reliable, and comes with some impressive features. So, if you're looking for a quality Tiller Pilot that won't break the bank - the Raymarine ST1000 Plus is definitely worth considering!

  • Power supply: 12V systems
  • Weight: 3.4 lbs
  • Absolute Voltage Range: 10 to 16V DC
  • Connections: NMEA 0183 input | SeaTalk
  • Max displacement: 6600 lbs
  • Easy to use
  • Ideal for tiller-steered sailboats
  • Can handle strong winds and currents
  • Built-in Gyro-Compass makes steering much easier
  • Safe to use when sailing in narrow channels
  • No internal navigation charts (you need an additional device)
  • Warranty can be improved (two years)
  • A tad heavy

2. Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

The  Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot  is a budget-friendly autopilot that is perfect for small to medium-sized sailboats (up to 35 ft). It is very easy to use and comes with all the features that you would expect from a quality autopilot. But what we really liked about this autopilot was its price point. It is one of the most affordable autopilots on the market, yet it still offers great value for money.

The TP10 is a basic tiller pilot that doesn't come with many bells and whistles. But what it does offer is simplicity and reliability - two things that are essential for any autopilot. It is very easy to install and can be up and running in minutes. And once it's installed, you can just set it and forget it - the TP10 will take care of the steering for you.

The simplicity of this autopilot extends to its design as well, since it features a mix of cutting-edge technological software and simplicity. It also features a five-button display, making it easy to control even in difficult sailing conditions.

According to Simrad, the precision steering on this autopilot system is so good that it can handle currents and winds of up to 10 knots! We didn't test this claim (we don't know how it could, to be honest), but we can confirm that the TP10 Tillerpilot works great for a variety of uses - from docking and navigation to tight channel maneuvering. It is a truly versatile piece of equipment that will provide you with many hours of enjoyment on the water.

And did we mention it is super quiet? Yes, the TP10 is nearly silent - it will make your sailing trips much more enjoyable since you won't have to listen to a loud engine or autopilot noises. And if you're into fishing, then this is just another reason for getting the TP10.

But there are some downsides as well - one of them being its lack of advanced features. If you're looking for an autopilot that can handle sophisticated sailing maneuvers, then the TP10 is not for you. But if you're just looking for a basic autopilot to help you steer your boat in windy conditions, then the TP10 is a great option.

Another downside is that it's not suitable for larger sailboats (above 35 ft) and that its warranty could be better. But despite these small drawbacks, we believe that the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is still one of the best autopilots on the market.

Overall, if you're looking for a reliable autopilot for your sailboat - one that doesn't cost an arm and leg - the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot Complete Review is definitely worth considering! It is affordable, yet it still offers impressive functionality and performance. And while it's not as fancy as its competitors, there's no doubt in our mind that it gets the job

  • Power supply: 12 V system
  • Weight: 5 lbs
  • Absolute Voltage Range: 12V DC
  • Connections: N/A
  • Max displacement: 10000 lbs
  • One of the quietest autopilot systems on the market
  • Reliable and easy to use
  • Low power consumption
  • Accurate steering
  • Limited to small and medium-size boats
  • Lack of advanced features
  • Warranty can be improved

3. Raymarine EV-100 p70 Wheel Pilot Pack

Raymarine EV-100 p70 Wheel Pilot Pack

The  EV-100 Wheel Pilot  is one of the most advanced autopilot units available right now, thanks to its unique technology, which allows it to steer accurately even in strong currents and winds. And if that's not enough, you can always rely on its six different types of alarms, which let you know when course deviation is too high!

As for its installation process, it's not the simplest one on the market but still not too bad either. You will need to download the manual from the official website, but after that, it should take you no more than 30 min to have everything up and running! Of course, this depends on your previous experience as well - if you're an expert DIYer, then installing an autopilot won't be much of a problem for you.

Once it's installed, you'll be able to take advantage of its many features. The p70 autopilot is very easy to use and has an intuitive display which makes it perfect for tight maneuvering or docking in difficult conditions. It also comes with wireless remote control, so you can easily adjust the autopilot while sailing.

The EV1 Sensor Core is the heart of this autopilot system, and it ensures maximum accuracy while steering. It can be connected to various sensors, such as wind direction, speed, and GPS, and it also has a built-in compass sensor. This means that you'll always have an accurate reading on where your boat's heading no matter what the conditions are like.

But what we liked best about the Raymarine EV-100 p70 Wheel Pilot Pack was its advanced steering capabilities. It can handle winds and currents up to 15 knots, making it perfect for more experienced sailors. And if you're looking for an autopilot that will last you for years to come, then the Raymarine EV-100 p70 is a good option - it comes with a solid build, and its design is simple yet surprisingly durable!

But that's not all - the EV-100 Wheel Pilot also comes with a waterproof housing unit which gives you the ability to read vital information even in harsh weather conditions. And since it works with all windlasses, you'll be able to use this autopilot system on your boat regardless of make or model.

The only downside we could find is that this autopilot system is quite expensive compared to some of its rivals. Also, it's not recommended for very large boats, meaning that it might not be the best choice for everyone.

To sum up, the EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack is an advanced piece of equipment that's packed with features. It works well both in regular conditions and when facing stronger currents, plus it comes with an impressive set of sensors that give you accurate readings at all times. So if what you're looking

  • Operating Voltage Range: 12V DC - 30V DC
  • Power supply: 12V
  • Connections: SeaTalk and SeaTalk 1 compliant with NMEA2000 marine networks.
  • Max displacement: 16000 lbs
  • Weight: 15 lbs (including wheel)
  • 3-year warranty
  • Very accurate
  • Can handle strong currents and winds
  • Waterproof housing unit
  • Quite expensive compared to some rivals
  • Not recommended for very large boats
  • Installation process may be difficult for some

4. Garmin GHC 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control

Garmin GHC 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control

The  Garmin GHC 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control  is a great addition to any boat, which is why it has become very popular with boaters in the US. In fact, since you can buy this system from official resellers, it's pretty hard not to find an autopilot system that works for your boat - after all, this piece of equipment can be customized according to your needs!

First of all, we have to say that the installation process is a breeze - most customers will be able to get this autopilot system up and running within an hour or two. The only part which might cause some issues is wiring your boat's battery cables, but even if you run into difficulties with this step, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube which you can check out.

Once it's installed, the GHC 20 Helm Control is a breeze to use. It features a straightforward menu which makes it easy to change settings or adjust your course. And unlike some autopilot systems on the market, this one doesn't require you to purchase any additional peripherals - it comes with its own built-in GPS sensor as well as an electronic compass. So if you're looking for an autopilot system that's ready to go out of the box, the GHC 20 is a good choice.

This incredible autopilot is built with a 4-inch display and can enhance your nighttime reading ability. This makes it ideal for sailors that prefer to tackle the seas at night.

The only downside of the GHC 20 is that it isn't suitable for sailboats that are over 40 feet in length. This means that it's perfect for smaller vessels, but you might need to consider an alternative option if you have a large boat. The battery life could also be better, but given the bang for buck this autopilot system offer, we're willing to look past these minor inconveniences.

To sum up, if you have a smaller boat, then the GHC 20 is one of the best autopilot systems on the market. It has an intuitive display, comes with its own built-in GPS sensor, and offers real-time navigation capabilities. So, if you want something that can enhance your sailing experience without breaking your bank balance, this product might be what you've been looking for!

  • Display: 4″ Anti-Glare Color LCD Display
  • Ports: NMEA2K
  • Max Displacement: Boats up to 40 ft in length
  • Operating Voltage Range: 9V to 32V DC
  • Intuitive menu system
  • 170-degree viewing angle
  • Budget-friendly
  • Ideal for night excursions
  • Easy installation process
  • Short battery life
  • Not suitable for larger boats
  • Warranty can be improved (2 years only)

5. Furuno NavPilot 711C

Furuno NavPilot 711C

The  Furuno NavPilot 711C  is an autopilot system that's specifically designed for larger boats and yachts. It comes with a single-axis drive which makes it perfect if you want to control your boat's heading evenly while sailing at any speed.

As for its installation process, we have to say that this autopilot system is one of the easiest ones to get up and running. You will need to download the manual from the official website (if you're feeling generous, you can also provide them with some feedback!), but after that, you should be able to connect all cables without too many problems! As long as your previous experience installing electronics on a boat isn't very limited, you shouldn't run into difficulties during the process.

The NavPilot 711C also comes with a built-in GPS receiver which ensures that your boat's heading is constantly updated. Plus, it has many other features that make it perfect for larger vessels, such as connecting to up to three different sensors simultaneously. So if you're looking for an autopilot system that can handle any condition, then the Furuno NavPilot 711C is a good option.

The best thing about this autopilot system is its accuracy. According to Furuno, it is capable of offering real-time adjustments even in high-stress sailing conditions. Its self-learning algorithmic system is also a great feature that gives it one up on some of its rivals. And the NavPilot 711C comes with an impressive 3-D graphic that shows you how your boat's all set to sail!

Did we talk about its FishHunter Mode? This mode turns the NavPilot 711C into a powerful fishfinder that can help you locate schools of fish in no time.

Furthermore, the NavPilot 711C requires minimal manual helm input, making it perfect for long voyages. Plus, it provides great mileage efficiency, meaning that you won't be spending too much on gas during your trips. And since it works with up to 3 sensors simultaneously, you'll have a good chance of using this autopilot system even if you're missing some parts.

The only downside of this autopilot system is that it might be expensive compared to some rivals - especially since there's no option to buy accessories individually. The warranty period is also a bit shorter than we would have liked, but that's a small complaint compared to the overall quality of this system.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a reliable autopilot system that will last for years to come, then the Furuno NavPilot 711C is a good option - it was designed with larger boats in mind, and it has an impressive intuitive display. It also works very well even in harsh conditions, so if you want something versatile and accurate, you could certainly do worse than the Furuno NavPilot 711C!

  • Power Supply: 12-24V DC
  • Display: 4.1″ Color LCD
  • Ports: CAN bus (NMEA2000): 1, NMEA0183: 2
  • Weight: 4.1 lbs
  • Easy installation
  • Intuitive display
  • Extremely accurate
  • Great for larger boats
  • Full of features
  • Expensive compared to some rivals
  • Short warranty period

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I'm Michael Moris. I've been sailing my whole life, and it has taken me to places I never imagined. From the Caribbean to Europe, from New Zealand to South America - there's nowhere that hasn't felt like home when you're on a boat!

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Best Sailboat Autopilot

Managing a sailboat can be a bit of a handful! Sometimes you just want to take some time to relax and enjoy the salt spray in the air and the sun on your face. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible, especially if you don’t have many people who can help you sail while you’re out on the water.

Thankfully, technology has come a long way since tall ships ruled the waves. You no longer need a full crew to help keep your boat’s operations going smoothly. All you need is a few pieces of equipment that make up the system known as a sailboat autopilot.

Unfortunately, sailboat autopilots are complex pieces of equipment. They take quite a bit of thought on the part of the buyer to ensure that it is the correct model. In today’s guide, we’re going to take a look at eight of the best sailboat autopilots on the market.

We’ll also go over a few crucial pieces of buying advice, including discussing who could get the most out of a sailboat autopilot and why. Then we’ll take a look at some FAQs about sailboat autopilots and we’ll also cover the most important features to look for in the best model.

Without any further delay, let’s get started with a look at the Best Sailboat Autopilot , the Garmin Reactor 40.

Our Top Pick: Garmin 010-00705-94 Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot

Key points at a glance.

  • Comes included with a GHC 20 autopilot display
  • The remote control floats in the water
  • Bright remote control display for use in sunny weather
  • Designed for anglers as well as cruisers
  • Made for use with an outboard kicker motor

The Details

Our favorite option is the Garmin Reactor 40, which offers superior user-friendliness and build quality when compared to many of the other choices you have at your disposal. This autopilot system comes included with everything you need, and it’s designed for sailboats with small, outboard kicker motors.

This autopilot system is designed to put up with everything you can throw at it, including changing currents and waves or wind. As long as you input your course correctly, the Garmin Reactor 40 will do everything in its power to keep you on the right course, and you’ll be notified if it can’t do that at any time.

The remote that you use to control this autopilot system is designed to be compact enough to bring with you anywhere on the boat. The display is designed to be as bright as possible so you can easily see what’s going on at any time, even if you’re on the upper deck and the sun is beating directly down on you.

As an added bonus, the remote control floats, so if you end up having a moment of clumsiness, you won’t have to worry about it sinking down to the murky depths. The remote also features an easily controlled throttle system that can drop your speed to zero at a moment’s notice, making the Reactor 40 ideal for anglers.

This whole system is integrated with Garmin’s GPS units, and it comes included with a GHC 20 autopilot display. Installation is a little involved, but that’s to be expected with a comprehensive autopilot system like this one. Overall, we were highly impressed with the Reactor 20, but keep in mind that it’s pricey.

This is the Best Sailboat Autopilot for most users.

  • Specially designed for boats with small gasoline...
  • Helps maintain heading hold and route to keep you...
  • Includes convenient floating handheld remote...
  • Easily fine-tune autopilot throttle setting with...
  • Easy to install and integrate with our GHC 20...

Our Runner Up: Raymarine EV-100 p70 Wheel Pilot Pack

  • Waterproof design allows for installation anywhere on your vessel
  • Hooks up directly to the wheel and is easy to install
  • Automatically adjusts based on how your boat performs
  • Comes included with a wheel drive, cabling kit, the p70 control head, ACU-100 interface, and the EV1 sensor

The runner up in our list is the EV-100 autopilot pack from Raymarine. This comprehensive system comes with everything you need to automatically control the tack of your vessel.

And it’s relatively easy to install compared to a more in-depth autopilot! The relative ease of installation is due to this model’s excellent instructions and its wheel-based design.

You can use this autopilot on sailboats that are up to 16,000 lbs in displacement, so it’s not designed for the largest boats. But you can still fit it on boats on the upper end of the smallest weight class.

Impressively enough, this autopilot is smart enough to learn your boat’s habits, and it doesn’t require any calibration on your part.

The system is also designed to be fully waterproof, so it can be installed at helms that are both above- and below-deck. Like any good autopilot system, the EV-100 is constantly adjusting how your boat performs, learning how the currents and waves are impacting your course, and naturally adjusting for them.

Keep in mind that this product is designed for maximum compatibility with Evolution autopilot systems . The only reason why this was made our runner up is that it is a little less comprehensive and versatile than the Garmin system.

For example, it is purely designed for sailing and not made to support outboard motors.

  • Designed for smaller wheel steered sailboats with...
  • Precision monitoring of heading, pitch, roll and...
  • No calibration required; The autopilot...
  • Flexible installation options; Waterproof housing...
  • Wheel Pilot Pack Includes: EV1 - Sensor Core,...

Best Budget: Simrad TP10 Tiller Pilot

  • Nearly silent operation makes the TP10 a lot more comfortable on the ears
  • Designed to draw less power so it doesn’t run your battery dry
  • Automatically accounts for environmental changes to keep you on course
  • Relatively easy to use and install

The Simrad TP10 is the most affordable model on this list, but unlike other low-cost autopilots, this one actually gets the job done. The TP10 is meant for tiller-steered sailboats. It supports smaller vessels than the autopilots that we’ve looked at so far, but that’s to be expected from such an affordable product.

The max vessel size for this system is a 32-footer, and the TP10 is meant to be as easy to install as it is to use. One of the more notable things about this tiller pilot system is that it uses significantly less power than many of the systems we’ve covered up until this point, so you won’t be starved for electrical energy.

All of the controls are clearly labeled and relatively easy to use on this autopilot, and it’s designed to steer your vessel precisely and effectively, accounting for any water and atmospheric conditions.

These autotiller systems are also fully waterproof, ensuring that your tiller doesn’t have to be protected from the elements to install it.

One of the best things about Simrad’s TP series of autopilots is that they’re designed to be as quiet as possible, so you won’t have to deal with any loud mechanical whines or annoyances.

However, since this model is limited to tiller-operated sailboats, it loses out in the versatility department when compared to more comprehensive systems.

  • EASY TO USE: A simple selection of controls enable...
  • PRECISION STEERING: Outstanding performance...
  • BATTERY OPTIMISATION: Low power draw ensures your...
  • SILENT SAILING: The TP range of autopilots have...
  • WATERPROOF SEALING: Protection from the elements.

Best for Outboards: Furuno NavPilot 711C/OB Autopilot

  • Display is equipped with a bright daytime mode and dark nighttime mode
  • One-touch mode allows for simpler steering and course control
  • Features several modes, including auto, advanced, NAV, and wind mode
  • FishHunter setting designed for anglers

The Furuno NavPilot is specifically designed for use with outboard motors, and in that domain, it’s a little more effective than our top pick. However, we haven’t chosen this one as our top autopilot since this specialization makes it a little less versatile than the Garmin Reactor 40, which managed to steal our hearts.

Furuno has developed a range of software that controls factors that would otherwise require the installation of specialized hardware in other sailboat autopilots. For example, the Fantum Feedback system allows you to control the direction of your vessel without needing to hook up a physical feedback unit to the rudder.

Getting this system installed and set up is also a lot easier than with its competitors. It includes an on-screen wizard that will guide you through the process, much like a computer program.

The control software on this unit has been designed to learn over time, so it will only get more effective the longer you use it.

You can also opt for performance or power savings by adjusting the autopilot system between the “economy” and “precision” settings. The display on this autopilot system is designed to function easily during even the brightest days, and you can even switch the display to night mode.

Overall, this is an excellent autopilot unit for sailboats with outboard motors.

No products found.

Best No Drive Autopilot: Raymarine Pilot Ev-200 A/P with P70R No Drive

  • Drive unit not included to cut down on costs
  • Learns more about the behavior of your vessel the longer you own it
  • Magnetically shielded for use at high northern and low southern latitudes
  • Uses solid-state sensors for improved accuracy

If you already have a drive system for your sailboat’s autopilot but you’re looking to replace the autopilot regardless, then this system should work best for you. Raymarine’s EV-200 comes included without a drive unit.

This means you to save quite a bit of cash if you already have one.

Much like the other Raymarine autopilot systems, this model is designed to learn from the behavior of your boat and the prevailing conditions. It automatically accounts for things like pitch, yaw, heading, and roll, and it will only perform better with time, as it gets used to the unique way your boat handles on the water.

This autopilot system is also waterproof, much like its fellow Raymarine autopilot systems. This means you can install it above-deck and below-deck without having to worry about the delicate electronics being damaged.

The EV-200 is even designed to account for gravitic and magnetic anomalies near the southern and northern poles.

This model comes included with an ACU-200 central processing unit, a P70R control head, EVA cable kit, and an EV-1 sensor. Overall, this is a capable system that can keep your boat under control in a wide range of situations, and though it’s relatively pricey, it’s a little more affordable than comparable units that come with a drive unit.

  • Precision monitoring of heading, pitch, roll, and...
  • Flexible installation options. Mount above or...
  • Simple sea talk-ng connectivity to the control...
  • Solid state sensor technology delivers dynamic...
  • Auto-compensation for on board magnetic fields and...

Best Sailboat Autopilot Buyer’s Guide

There are many people who can benefit from using an autotiller or autopilot. And there are many reasons why you’d prefer using one to manually managing your vessel all the time.

The most pertinent reason to purchase a sailboat autopilot is simple convenience. Instead of having to deal with everything yourself when you’re out on the water, your boat can automatically keep itself trimmed and on course.

Since tiller pilots can manage your vessel’s direction as well as the speed with which it’s traveling, there isn’t much that you’ll need to worry about aside from keeping an eye out for any other vessels or weather systems.

This gives you the time to actually enjoy being out on the water instead of spending the whole time being engrossed in the nuts and bolts of sailing.

You can use a sailboat autopilot in a wide range of vessels, including those controlled by a wheel and those controlled by a tiller. The huge variety of sailboat autopilots on the market ensures that sailors of all different types can benefit from them.

Other than sheer convenience, there are a few other reasons why you may wish to install a tiller pilot on your sailboat. These include cutting down on the number of crew members that you need to bring along with you to control the boat.

For example, if you frequently sail with your friends and family, and few of them are available to head out on the water, some of the slack can be picked up by your autopilot. This is because an autopilot essentially functions as additional crewmembers, managing things that you can’t direct your attention to.

Of course, you’ll always want to ensure that you have enough people on your vessel to control it if something ends up going wrong with your autopilot. Otherwise, a malfunction in the system can end up sending your vessel out of control faster than you can compensate for it.

However, a sailboat autopilot can also make the business of piloting your vessel far safer, as one that’s functioning at peak efficiency can help you deal with prevailing currents and other environmental factors.

Anglers and fishermen can also benefit from the use of a sailboat autopilot, almost more than anyone else. Some autopilots are designed to keep your vessel in position while you’re fishing or even if you’re just out and enjoying the sun. Turn on the fishfinder and get casting!

Dealing with weather using an autopilot is almost trivial compared to the difficulties you may encounter when you’re steering the boat yourself. Things like tides, winds, and even the design of your vessel can skew how it performs based on the conditions of the wind and water.

But autopilots are unfazed by these variables. Looking to sail a long distance, like 100 miles ? You’ll need some help, and an autopilot is a great helper.

Whether you’re an amateur sailor who’s looking to get a little more comfortable controlling their vessel or if you’re a serious sailboat angler, everyone can benefit from a sailboat autopilot, it’s just a matter of finding the right one for your needs. Let’s go over some of the most important factors and aspects to consider while shopping for one of them.

Important Features to Consider 

Tiller- vs. wheel-mounted.

The first thing to account for when you’re searching for the best sailboat autopilot is whether it will support your boat at all. There are two main varieties of autopilots. The first is the tiller-mounted autopilot, which is designed to control a boat’s tiller, and their simple designs make them a lot more affordable than other sailing autopilots.

The more complex alternative to a tiller-mounted autopilot is the mechanical, wheel-mounted variety. These systems will connect directly to your vessel’s wheel, but they feature an elaborate design that will make them pricier as more mechanically complex, so this will result in a bit of a more challenging installation.

User Interface

How you control your sailboat’s autopilot is another thing to account for when you’re looking for the best one. You want your autopilot to be capable enough to keep your boat facing the right direction, but it also needs to be easy enough to use so that you don’t dread the thought of programming a course into it.

Most autopilots will come with a control unit that you can use to set variables like your course and heading. Other models will even come with a remote control that you can use to adjust your autopilot’s parameters when you aren’t near it, as long as you’re within a certain distance of it.

The display is a crucial aspect of the user interface on any autopilot, and if you often sail in bright, sunny areas, you’ll want a display that’s bright enough to see where you’re going. Some displays will feature multiple brightness levels, and some will even have a night mode that will make it easier to retain your night vision.

Calibration

How you calibrate your autopilot and keep it performing accurately is another crucial aspect, and some of the cheapest models will have to be calibrated manually so that they can maintain a precise course. This can take time out of your day and take some of the “auto” out of the word autopilot.

More modern examples of sailing autopilots are designed to calibrate themselves using machine learning algorithms. This means that your autopilot will use its readings to automatically compensate for your boat’s performance and the weather over time, cutting back on the amount of work that you have to do.

Weather Resistance

Whether or not your sailboat’s autopilot is ruggedized and designed for harsh weather will affect where you can position it on your vessel and how long it will last. As with any piece of marine equipment, the best autopilots will be fully waterproof, and we wouldn’t recommend opting for a model that isn’t.

Non-waterproof sailboat autopilots will have to be located in an enclosed cabin, reducing their versatility and cutting down on the number of boats that they’ll be compatible with. On the other hand, a waterproof model can be installed on an open-helmed boat without any issues.

Installation and Assembly

The final thing to account for before buying your sailboat autopilot is how easy it will be to install it.

If you don’t want to pay extra to have someone install your new autopilot on your vessel, then you’ll want to get your hands on a simpler model with a more straightforward installation process. Typically, tiller-mounted autopilots are a lot easier to install than their more in-depth mechanical wheel counterparts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sailboat autopilots difficult to install.

If you aren’t too proficient at technical tasks and aren’t used to DIY work, you may have some trouble getting your sailboat autopilot set up in the first place. In these cases, we’d recommend opting for a qualified technician who can get everything set up for you without any issues.

Can I control my autopilot through a smart device?

Depending on the model of autopilot that you have installed, you may be able to connect with it through Bluetooth and control it using an app designed for that specific model. Some models are also compatible with NMEA networks, so pay close attention to your sailboat autopilot’s specs before you make your purchase if you want to control it from a phone or tablet.

If you’ve got one capable of being used with a smart device, you may want to consider a Marine WiFi Extender to improve your overall signal.

Do wheel-mounted autopilots require a specific number of spokes?

Most wheel-mounted sailboat autopilots don’t require too specific of a wheel design, as long as it’s within the range of dimensions that their control units support. The number of spokes on your wheel typically doesn’t factor into whether or not you can firmly mount the control unit in the first place.

Can sailboat autopilots handle any weather conditions?

In the most challenging conditions, your sailboat autopilot may have trouble keeping up with the weather and the forces acting upon your vessel. In these cases, you’ll probably have to take manual control of the boat, and (for your safety) you should already be at the helm if you’re dealing with such intense conditions.

Other Products We Looked At:

Simrad tp22 tiller pilot.

Simrad’s TP22 is yet another tiller autopilot manufactured by Simrad, and if it wasn’t beaten in price by the earlier TP10, we would have considered this model our top budget pick. As it stands, this is still a highly capable autopilot system for tiller-controlled boats that you should get your hands on if you don’t mind spending a little extra.

Much like the TP10, the maximum size of boat that this system can handle is only a little over 30 feet. Once again, this model is designed to draw as little power as possible to keep your battery in good shape.

Like every other TP-series tiller pilot, this model also features impressively low sound output that will allow you to enjoy the peaceful sounds of the ocean.

The main thing that sets apart the TP22 from the TP10 is that it is compatible with SimNet, and setting up the SimNet functionality is relatively simple, even by yourself.

Overall, this a simple and functional tiller autopilot that combines a reasonable price point with excellent performance compared to other models in its price range.

  • Learns to precisely steer your boat based on its learning algorithms
  • Waterproof sealing ensures that it can be used with interior and exterior tillers
  • Compatible with the Simrad SimNet

Raymarine St1000+ 3.3-Ton Tiller Pilot

Yet another tiller autopilot, the Raymarine St1000+ is a relatively affordable choice that couldn’t quite make the cut as the best budget sailboat autopilot. Despite not attaining the top spot, this model has a few features that make it one of the best tiller autopilots available, especially when it comes to user-friendliness.

The St1000+ supports vessels of up to 6,600 pounds, so it’s not designed for the largest sailboats, but you can use it on a wide enough range of boats to make it worth the money. The controls are all laid out logically on the unit itself, but it also comes included with a convenient remote that allows you to control it wherever you are.

There are three lighting levels that you can swap between, based on how sunny the day is. The reversible design also ensures that the St1000+ can be used in either a port or starboard layout.

Overall, this model isn’t the single most impressive tiller autopilot, but it gets the job done well enough to be worth a mention.

  • Reversible design for either port or starboard mounting
  • Handles vessels up to 6,600 lbs
  • 45mm LCD screen with three brightness levels

Raymarine EV-150 p70Rs No Drive Sailboat Autopilot

No products found. This model from Raymarine is a no-drive autopilot that couldn’t quite make it into our top five. The EV-150 is like the EV-200’s younger sibling, so it offers fewer features compared to the other model. Aside from this, the EV-150 is still built to Raymarine’s exacting standards, making it one of the better no-drive options in its price range.

This model comes included with everything you need except for a hydraulic drive, including the ACU-150 autopilot. This model works with the SeaTalking network, and it also works with an optional rudder reference unit.

Along with this, you also get the EV-1 sensor core, which sends its information to the ACU-150 for optimal performance.

The p70Rs autopilot control unit features all of the buttons and knobs that allow you to adjust your heading, speed, and more. To make everything easier to set up, the p70Rs features a straightforward installation wizard that guides you through the process of getting it running.

The only downside is that this model is pricey.

  • Wide viewing angles on the control unit allow you to keep it in sight wherever you are
  • Comes included with Raymarine’s evolution cabling kit
  • Compatible with the SeaTalk network

Let’s sum up our top choices. The Garmin Reactor 40 is one of the best sailboat autopilots you’ll find on the market, though it’s an incredibly expensive piece of gear that is mainly optimized for use with sailboats equipped with kicker motors. If this isn’t the right fit for you, there are plenty of other models that can nearly match the Reactor 40’s performance.

Chief amongst these is the Raymarine EV-100 p70 Wheel Pack. This comes included with everything you need to get started using your sailboat autopilot, and it features a more traditional design than the Reactor 40. Along with its precise performance, the EV-100 pack is fully weather-resistant to ensure that it lasts you a long time.

The best budget option at your disposal is the Simrad TP10, which is an extremely affordable sailboat autopilot that will manage your course on tiller sailboats. While it’s a little less versatile than the other two choices, Simrad’s TP10 is so affordably priced and so well-made that it’s hard to find anything that can even compete with it.

Sailboat autopilots are complicated pieces of equipment, and they can be challenging to decide between if you don’t know all of the details about them. We hope that this review guide has provided you with all of the necessary info so you can pick out the best one for you and your boat. Good luck on the high seas!

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sailboat autopilot review

“Best & Brightest” New Autopilots

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Autopilots are becoming almost essential equipment on new cruising boats, but how to choose the right one? To help you out, the Marine Electronics Journal asked manufacturers to single out their Best & Brightest autopilots for review. These are not necessarily the latest models, or those with the most features, but ones that are the most popular or technologically advanced. Here are the replies from Garmin, Simrad, Raymarine, ComNav, Furuno, Octopus, SI-TEX, and B&G:

Garmin’s Reactor 40 hydraulic autopilot (pictured at top) keeps you on course at cruising speeds, minimizes heading error, reduces power consumption and more, so you can be more comfortable while cruising. Solid-state nine-axis Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) sensors provide reliable vessel control in all sea and weather conditions and consistent heading accuracy within 2°. With a complete package designed for powerboats and sailboats, Garmin brings an advanced marine technology to the boating public that was once only available for commercial boats. Experience the ultimate hydraulic autopilot performance when paired with the one-size-fits-most, high-reliability, brushless SmartPump v2 that eliminates the risk of rudder “hard over.” Its patented Shadow Drive technology automatically disengages the autopilot if you take the helm and re-engages when you hold a steady course.

sailboat autopilot review

Simrad’s NAC-D is a steer-by-wire autopilot solution for electronic vessel control systems. With NAC-D, boaters with SeaStar Optimus, Yanmar VC10/JC10, Volvo IPS/EVC or Yamaha helm master/single engine control systems can benefit from all the full features and performance of Simrad autopilots. Easy to install, NAC-D requires only the connection of two Micro-C connectors. There is no requirement for an additional hydraulic pump, rudder sensor installation or dockside rudder calibration. This saves boaters time and money. Featuring Continuum steering and support for SteadySteer, the NAC-D allows automatic switching between two speed profiles, delivering optimal steering performance at both low and high speeds. Users can choose the controller to suit their preference from dedicated controllers like the AP 44 or AP 48.

sailboat autopilot review

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Yachting Monthly

  • Digital edition

Yachting Monthly cover

How to get the most from your boat autopilot

  • Rupert Holmes
  • September 29, 2021

Rupert Holmes looks at how to set up your boat autopilot so it will steer better than you can

Rupert and his partner Kass Schmitt have sailed tens of thousands of miles shorthanded or solo on 36ft zest, relying heavily on the boat autopilot. Credit: Rupert Holmes

Rupert and his partner Kass Schmitt have sailed tens of thousands of miles shorthanded or solo on 36ft zest, relying heavily on the boat autopilot. Credit: Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes has sailed over 80,000 miles, including from New Zealand to Uruguay via Cape Horn and racing around Britain

Installing a decent boat autopilot makes a huge contribution to comfort when cruising and passage making.

Yet for many of us the idea of being able to rely heavily on a boat autopilot in testing conditions remains a distant utopia.

However, the basic technology that enables pilots to steer accurately in challenging situations has been reasonably affordable for more than 15 years.

Equally, if your boat has an older and lower-spec system there’s often much that can be done to improve its performance.

The short-handed offshore racing community has been at the forefront of pushing development and understanding in this area for many years.

We drive our boats extremely hard, often sailing 3-5,000 miles each season, and therefore discover issues that may not otherwise come to light.

As well as getting the boat autopilot settings right, don't forget to balance your sail plan and trim as conditions change to aid course-holding. Credit: Rupert Holmes

As well as getting the boat autopilot settings right, don’t forget to balance your sail plan and trim as conditions change to aid course-holding. Credit: Rupert Holmes

There are plenty of examples of very successful skippers who use their pilots almost all the time, irrespective of wind strength, wind angle, or sea state.

Among them is Pierrick Penven, whose well-travelled Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 Zephyrin has an enviable track record.

This includes victory in the solo division of the 4,000-mile Transquadra race from St Nazaire to Martinique, which he followed with three months of family cruising in the Caribbean .

He also won both legs of the 2019 Azores and Back race, well ahead of even the best double-handed boats on corrected time.

After the AZAB Penven told me he had used the boat autopilot, ‘99.9% of the time.’

This included blasting downwind at speeds above 15 knots in 40 knot gusts in the newly formed Storm Miguel that wreaked havoc on the Atlantic coast of France a couple of days later.

In most cases, adjusting settings for your boat autopilot requires scrolling through menus, so laminate the relevant pages of the manual as an aide memoire

In most cases, adjusting settings for your boat autopilot requires scrolling through menus, so laminate the relevant pages of the manual as an aide memoire

Yet Penven said he only took the helm during the race ‘to have a break and a bit of fun.’ Yet his French NKE pilot, while good by the standards of many, is by no means the latest generation system.

So what’s the secret to being able to rely so heavily on a boat autopilot, even in extreme conditions?

Whatever the system, the starting point is the same: proper set up, followed by time spent learning optimal settings for different conditions.

It’s easy to think there is no need for cruisers to bother with this kind of tweaking, but that’s far from the case.

A boat autopilot that steers a more accurate course will result in a more comfortable motion in testing weather and will consume less electricity.

It’s also hugely reassuring to know your boat autopilot will cope with any conditions, whereas if someone needs to helm all the time in bad weather it quickly becomes tiring, especially with family or small crews.

Continues below…

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Autopilot Buyers Guide for sailing yachts

There’s a bewildering array of options available for pilot systems, Rupert Holmes explains how to choose a suitable autopilot system…

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Before he took over as CEO of the Navico marine electronics group, Volvo Ocean Race winner Knut Frostad completed an 18-month Atlantic cruise with his young family on their Outremer 5X.

While he relied heavily on his boat autopilot, the 60 or so cruisers he interviewed often told him that their pilots struggled in strong winds .

They also revealed that many owners never change their pilots from their factory settings, so the boat autopilot can’t be relied on in critical manoeuvres like reefing or in boisterous conditions.

Even the best pilots in the world can zig-zag if not set up properly, according to Frostad.

Equally, Zest , my partner’s 36ft Rob Humphreys one-off, has been steered by a mid-2000s era Simrad/B&G system for much of the 26,000 miles the boat has covered since 2013.

Although it’s a relatively simple and low-cost system by today’s standards, during that time it has coped with the full gamut of conditions, including beating under storm jib and trysail against a full gale in the Western Approaches and many thousands of miles surfing Atlantic waves at speeds well into double figures.

There’s no single magic bullet to getting the best from a boat autopilot, though several guiding principles apply almost universally.

A range of brands offer boat autopilot systems including the ruggedly built Pelagic autopilot range

A range of brands offer boat autopilot systems including the ruggedly built Pelagic autopilot range

For a start, proper initial set up, including accurate calibration, are essential. A well-balanced sail plan and good sail trim remain as important as in the days that windvane systems were our only option for automated steering.

If the boat is set up so that a skilled human has issues keeping the boat on course, then a pilot will also struggle.

Understanding the pros and cons of different boat autopilot systems is key to being able to tweak settings and to get the best from each generation of system.

The first pilots for smaller sailing boats in the 1970s and early 1980s were impressive devices at the time.

However, they had the most rudimentary of sensors and minimal computing power, though many are still in use.

A big step forward came with the availability of reasonably affordable rate-sensing or gyro compasses. Unlike a basic fluxgate compass these can measure the rate at which a boat is turning.

The pilot computer can use this data to determine how much rudder angle is needed to correct the course – and how quickly it needs to be applied.

It’s like the difference between a novice helm attempting to steer by focussing solely on the compass and an experienced sailor who looks ahead most of the time and therefore is constantly in tune with the boat’s rate of turn.

Another important feature is the rudder angle sensor.

If the pilot knows both the rate of turn and the angle of the helm it can make a better estimate of how long to apply a course correction before moving the rudder back towards the centre.

Lack of a rudder angle sensor is a key reason why most standard tiller pilots, and externally mounted wheel pilots, can’t perform as well as a permanently mounted below-deck system.

Another leap came in the early 2010s with nine-axis sensors. These have a compass with heel, pitch and yaw sensors.

If heel angle increases, or the stern starts to lift when sailing downwind, the boat autopilot knows the boat will tend to luff up.

It therefore responds before the compass course has changed.

Elements of the boat autopilot system

A diagram showing the different elements of a boat autopilot system

  • Compass or 9-axis sensor
  • Optional: rudder angle sensor
  • Optional: interface with other electronics, including wind data

In some cases, notably all-in-one tiller pilots, the motor, computer and compass are all contained within the single unit.

Even so, most of these units, especially more recent models, can also be networked with other elements of the boat’s electronics.

The course computer calculates exactly when, and how quickly, the rudder needs to move, as well as how much helm angle is needed.

It also figures out when to return the rudder towards a neutral position to avoid over correcting.

Gyro compasses are better than fluxgate compasses, but nine-axis sensors now measure more parameters, including heel angle, pitch and yaw that can help the course computer to calculate optimal helm movements.

In addition, if the system knows what angle the rudder is currently at, the computer can more accurately calculate how large a course correction is needed – and can apply exactly the right amount of rudder angle.

A properly calibrated rudder angle sensor is therefore an important element and markedly improves course keeping.

Properly calibrated wind data allows accurate steering when sailing close-hauled, close reaching with a Code 0 or asymmetric spinnaker , and when sailing downwind .

It’s worth noting that some autopilots and control units include proprietary software, so they need to be set up with the same brand of control unit and pilot computer, even if they are all NMEA 2000 capable.

Improving boat autopilot course-keeping

Most pilots in use today have user-adjustable parameters to improve course-keeping in different conditions.

These effectively tweak the algorithm that decides how big a rudder movement is needed to get the boat back on course and how long that helm angle can be applied without risk of over-correcting.

Sailing upwind in light airs clearly requires a different helming style to broad reaching in a stiff breeze .

This is why we need to understand how to adjust parameters like Gain, Counter Rudder and Auto Trim.

1. Understanding Gain

To really trust your boat autopilot, you need to know it will react appropriately for the conditions. Credit: Rupert Holmes

To really trust your boat autopilot, you need to know it will react appropriately for the conditions. Credit: Rupert Holmes

Gain controls the amount of rudder angle used and how quickly it’s applied. If the gain is set too low the boat will take too long to return to the desired course.

On the other hand, if gain is too high, the boat will overshoot and yaw each side of the set course.

This was a common problem with early pilots where gain was often the only parameter that could be adjusted.

2. Counter Gain

In boisterous conditions, you'll need the boat autopilot to centre the rudder quickly after a correction. Credit: Graham Snook

In boisterous conditions, you’ll need the boat autopilot to centre the rudder quickly after a correction. Credit: Graham Snook

The Counter Rudder (sometimes called Counter Gain) setting adjusts how long a helm correction will to be applied for.

In a quartering sea, for instance, a fast initial response is required to prevent the boat screwing up into the wind.

But then the helm needs to be centred quickly so the boat doesn’t bear away too far.

Increasing Counter Rudder does this – it doesn’t impede the initial quick movement of the rudder when gain is set relatively high, but the helm will centre more rapidly

3. Auto Trim

Modern pilots can learn how best to keep a boat on course. You can tell it how quickly to learn and adapt. Credit: Rupert Holmes

Modern pilots can learn how best to keep a boat on course. You can tell it how quickly to learn and adapt. Credit: Rupert Holmes

Auto Trim (or Auto Learn) determines the speed at which the system learns how much weather helm needs to be applied.

If the boat autopilot appears to take a long time to apply an appropriate amount of weather helm when conditions change, then a lower figure is needed.

However, if it initially oscillates between too much and too little weather helm, Auto Trim needs to be increased.

As a starting point with B&G or older Simrad systems try the vessel’s LOA in feet.

Gain is likely to account for 70-80 per cent of all adjustments needed, though Counter Rudder may need tweaking in tandem with big changes to gain.

Once you find the right Auto Trim setting for your boat it’s not likely to need a lot of adjustment.

4. Compass or wind mode?

Choosing wind mode may let your boat steer more like a human helm would. Credit: Rupert Holmes

Choosing wind mode may let your boat steer more like a human helm would. Credit: Rupert Holmes

For boats with wind data interfaced to their pilots the rules for whether to use compass or wind mode depend on the point of sail.

When upwind, or close reaching with a Code 0 or asymmetric spinnaker, steering to the apparent wind angle is best.

Even then don’t expect the boat to sail as close as when you’re helming, bear away a few degrees and set the sails with a little more twist to give a wider groove.

A compass course will invariably be most efficient when reaching. Once the wind is well aft, however, changing to true wind mode will give best results.

Sailing under spinnaker solo becomes enjoyable if you trust your boat autopilot. Credit: Rupert Holmes

Sailing under spinnaker solo becomes enjoyable if you trust your boat autopilot. Credit: Rupert Holmes

None of the concepts required to tune a boat autopilot are intrinsically difficult when considered individually.

However, collectively they can amount to a lot to think about at times when attention may need to be focussed on other matters.

NKE has a neat solution – users enter a matrix of pre-set parameters that can subsequently be dialled in at the press of a button, much like the tuning of an old-school car radio.

The matrix covers nine different conditions: beating, reaching and running in light, medium and heavy winds. Therefore it’s easy to select the correct mode for your boat.

Successful short-handed racers will then fine-tune a little more, but for cruising purposes this is rarely necessary.

Alternatively Raymarine’s Evolution or Garmin’s Reactor pilots may appeal.

Many solo racers use the NKE system for the level of control it gives them. Credit: Paul Wyeth

Many solo racers use the NKE system for the level of control it gives them. Credit: Paul Wyeth

These are designed to be used without the need for settings to be changed thanks to algorithms that quickly learn different conditions. However, both still require proper initial set up and calibration.

The Raymarine units have no user-adjustable parameters outside of three different modes: Performance, Cruising and Leisure.

These are analogous to the sport, manual and eco modes of many automatic cars that allow you to adapt the system’s response, without having to change gear yourself.

Even on a cruising yacht you may still want to switch to Performance mode when sailing downwind in strong breezes – this will increase the pilot response in a similar way to stepping up the Gain and Counter Rudder values of other systems.

The premise of Garmin’s Reactor series is also that users won’t need to change settings as a matter of course.

However, the values for Gain, Counter Gain and Auto Learn are available in the Dealer Commissioning pages of the menu system and can therefore be tweaked if necessary.

A pilot remote can be useful when going forward. Credit: Paul Wyeth

A pilot remote can be useful when going forward. Credit: Paul Wyeth

Until a few years ago all systems required the user to change settings to get the best from the unit in different conditions, although some have a degree of automatic switching between different modes.

Zest ’s Simrad N42 pilot computer, a model that was widely sold for more than a decade until around 2014, allows different sets of parameters to be saved for low boat speeds and running (when bigger helm movements are needed) and when beating or reaching at higher speeds (when smaller helm movements are necessary).

Even so, further fine-tuning is needed to cope efficiently with different wind strengths and sea states. It’s therefore worth noting settings that result in good course-keeping in different conditions.

I tend to keep in mind NKE’s simple grid of different points of sail and wind strengths.

Gradually filling this in over time and refining the numbers will provide a good set of data to ensure even older pilots can be made to steer the best possible course possible in different conditions.

I like to have it as a laminated card taped next to the pilot controllers, with space for annotations, as you identify settings that work best in different circumstances.

Boat autopilot set up & calibration

These elements are too often skimped, even with professionally installed systems, yet are critical for decent performance.

If the digital compass or 9-axis sensor is not properly calibrated or is installed too close to objects such as other electronics or ferrous materials it will not be accurate.

Fortunately compass calibration is simple, given flat water and space to turn the boat slowly through a turn and a quarter over a period of two or three minutes.

B & G boat autopilot systems have a clear and accessible calibration menu. Credit: Rupert Holmes

B & G boat autopilot systems have a clear and accessible calibration menu. Credit: Rupert Holmes

B&G systems generally allow easy access for this in the calibration menu, while for other brands it may be found in the Dealer Commissioning menu.

In all cases the manual for the pilot will guide you.

Equally, it’s easy to see that if the rudder sensor is not properly calibrated the system won’t accurately know when the rudder is central, its maximum angle in each direction, or the amount of play in the steering.

This can be easily set up without leaving the dock, again usually using the initial calibration menus and by measuring port and starboard helm angles when instructed.

Masthead wind sensors are rarely perfectly aligned, so instrument systems allow an offset figure to be entered. The best way to measure this is to motor head to wind in light airs.

NKE pilots go a step further and allow a matrix of pre-set settings to be recorded

NKE pilots go a step further and allow a matrix of pre-set settings to be recorded

Accurate boat speed is also needed to calculate true wind strengths and angles. In addition, most pilots have an automated calibration process that helps the system to learn the boat’s characteristics and needs to be carried out while under way.

How much effort should go into this set up?

An hour or so will get reasonable results that can make a big difference to course keeping. However, it would be a mistake to treat these results as gospel.

The Raymarine ST2000+ is a classic. It can be set to compass and wind trim mode, but calibration is limited to gain and damping

The Raymarine ST2000+ is a classic. It can be set to compass and wind trim mode, but calibration is limited to gain and damping

At the high end of the racing scene perfect calibration is seen as an almost unachievable holy grail, so professional navigators put a considerable amount of effort into improving their figures.

On the plus side, interfacing a boat autopilot with other marine electronics is no more difficult than for any other item.

The complexity of this task depends partly on how recent the various systems are and possibly on whether there’s a mix of products from different manufacturers, especially if they are from different eras.

External wheel pilots will benefit from the addition of a rudder angle sensor

External wheel pilots will benefit from the addition of a rudder angle sensor

Integration tends to be easiest on recent plug-and-play NMEA2000-based systems, but may be more complex for electronics using older protocols.

When having a boat autopilot installed professionally it’s always worth ascertaining exactly what the quote includes. Is it simply bolting the units to the boat and connecting the wiring?

Will it be networked to the existing electronics? Does the quote include dockside checks and rudder sensor calibration?

What about set up that can only be done when under way, such as compass calibration and automated initial response settings?

Tiller Pilots

Tiller steered boats without a below deck quadrant that a pilot motor and rudder angle sensor can be connected to are at a disadvantage when it comes to finding a decent boat autopilot.

In addition, many all-in-one tiller pilot models have seen little development in the last couple of decades and have a number of inherent disadvantages.

Most are connected a long distance from the rudder stock, which reduces loads on their motor, but precludes a rapid response, and there’s no provision for a rudder angle sensor.

There’s also no clutch, so the unit has to be physically connected to the tiller and disconnected every time you switch from stand-by to auto mode and vice-versa.

Tiller pilots can suffer from water ingress. Credit: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly

Tiller pilots can suffer from water ingress. Credit: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly

In addition, the movement of the steering arm in and out of the housing changes the air pressure, making these units difficult to waterproof.

It therefore makes sense to invest in the type of tiller pilot whose motor is separate to the rest of the electronics.

That way, when water finds its way inside, it’s only likely to impact electrical connections that can often be successfully dried out, not complex electronics that may not survive.

Zest is pushed hard when racing and the system also has to survive the rigours of ocean sailing, so we searched widely for a better option.

A B&G SD10 drive keeps the motor protected below decks. Credit: Rupert Holmes

A B&G SD10 drive keeps the motor protected below decks. Credit: Rupert Holmes

The solution was a B&G SD10 drive, which has a motor below deck connected to the tiller via a Bowden cable.

It includes a rudder angle sensor and clutch, and is powerful enough to operate on a much shorter lever than most tiller pilots – 6.5 inches from the rudder stock, instead of 18 inches.

On Raymarine ST1000/2000+ tiller pilots only Rudder Gain and Rudder Damping settings can be adjusted by the user.

Only the end of the Bowden cable is exposed with a B&G SD10 drive. Credit: Rupert Holmes

Only the end of the Bowden cable is exposed with a B&G SD10 drive. Credit: Rupert Holmes

As default these are set to 5 and 3 respectively on a scale of 1-9. The manual clearly explains how to do this via the keypad and small display on the unit.

Most of us struggle to commit these kind of procedures to memory, so it’s worth copying and laminating the relevant pages of the manual, along with a brief list of key points.

These can then be kept in the cockpit and used when tweaking the settings.

Boat autopilot reliability & redundancy

The better your boat autopilot the more likely you are to rely heavily on the system, which can cause problems when it stops working.

Pilot motors tend to have a very long life, though if you plan long-distance cruising it makes sense to carry a spare.

It’s also worth remembering that, if an NMEA2000-type database goes down, the pilot won’t have inputs from the compass and rudder angle sensor, and will stop working.

In the long-distance short-handed racing arena a lot of boats are fitted with two separate pilot systems.

If you’re fitting a new boat autopilot it makes sense to keep the old one as a back-up.

Have a variety of charging sources to power your boat autopilot. Credit: Alamy

Have a variety of charging sources to power your boat autopilot. Credit: Alamy

Equally, if you already have a spare motor, it makes sense to fit it on the opposite side of the boat to the primary system, rather than stowing it in a locker.

The back-up boat autopilot can then be connected to a standalone system, without interfacing with wind data.

If the budget doesn’t stretch that far, an old- school system that can be bought on eBay for £2-300 may suffice for short-term use.

Equally, reliance on an electric pilot makes it important for boats venturing long distances to have more than one form of battery charging .

Fuel cells are used a lot in the racing community, with the engine then used only as a back-up.

However, this is a costly option and cruising yachts are more likely to opt for a large array of solar panels. Sailing with a decent boat autopilot is transformative.

Passage-making is easier and markedly less tiring, while unexpected situations are easier to handle if the boat can be left to steer itself without undue worry.

For many yachts, a small amount of time, plus some updated hardware, will make a big difference to performance.

Power Consumption

The amount of electrical power a pilot will consume varies hugely between different boats and in different conditions.

In light airs and a flat sea consumption will be very low – it may even be as little as half that of an MFD.

Keep a good eye on battery charge. Power usage will vary with conditions

Keep a good eye on battery charge. Power usage will vary with conditions

However, off the wind in a lumpy sea state the unit will need to work much harder to maintain course, and average consumption may rise to 2-3 amps for most 35-38ft boats.

Newer systems that offer more accurate course-keeping need less power to run the motor, although their more sophisticated course computers may be more power hungry.

It’s also worth noting that turning up the settings to make an older system hyper responsive will use more power.

Keep your motor

An old motor can work with new boat autopilot computers

An old motor can work with new boat autopilot computers

The pilot motor is not an intelligent output from the pilot computer.

Therefore if you already have a decent pilot motor, it may only be the sensors or pilot computer that need upgrading to create a system with better performance.

Slashdigit

The 10 Best Marine Autopilots [Updated List|2023]

best marine autopilots

Table of Contents

Imagine cruising the open waters without constantly having to steer your boat or adjust your course. Marine autopilots make this dream a reality, offering boaters the freedom to enjoy their journey while maintaining a steady course.

In this article, we’ll dive into the world of marine autopilots, exploring what they are, their importance, how they work, and the different types available. We’ll also cover key features to look for and factors to consider when choosing the right autopilot for your boat.

Finally, we’ll offer some tips for using autopilots, answer some frequently asked questions, and provide recommendations for some of the best marine autopilots on the market.

What are Marine Autopilots?

Marine autopilots are advanced systems that automatically steer your boat, maintaining a preset course without the need for constant manual adjustments. These systems use sensors, computers, and actuators to make precise steering adjustments, ensuring your boat stays on course and giving you more time to relax and enjoy your time on the water.

Importance of Marine Autopilots for Boaters

Marine autopilots offer several benefits to boaters, including:

  • Convenience : By maintaining a steady course, autopilots give you more time to focus on other aspects of boating, like navigation, fishing, or simply enjoying the view.
  • Improved efficiency : Autopilots can make small adjustments more accurately than a human, leading to better fuel efficiency and less wear and tear on your boat’s steering system.
  • Enhanced safety : Autopilots can help reduce fatigue and distraction, allowing you to remain vigilant and ready to react to any unexpected situations.

How do Marine Autopilots Work?

Marine autopilots use a combination of sensors, actuators, and a control unit to steer your boat on a predetermined course. Here’s a breakdown of how the system works:

  • Input : The autopilot receives input from the user, such as a desired heading or waypoint, as well as data from various onboard sensors. These sensors can include GPS, compass, wind, and speed sensors, which provide real-time information on the boat’s position, speed, and environmental conditions.
  • Processing : The control unit, which is essentially the autopilot’s “brain,” processes the input data and calculates the necessary adjustments to maintain the desired course. It considers factors like wind and current, boat speed, and any course changes needed to reach the destination.
  • Output : The control unit sends commands to the actuators, which are responsible for physically adjusting the boat’s steering system. The actuators can be hydraulic, electric, or mechanical, depending on the type of autopilot and boat. These adjustments are made continuously to keep the boat on course.
  • Feedback : The autopilot system constantly monitors the boat’s performance and adjusts its calculations accordingly. If the boat drifts off course, the system will recognize this and make the necessary adjustments to get back on track.

Types of Marine Autopilots

There are several types of marine autopilots available, each designed for specific types of boats and uses. Some common types include:

  • Wheel pilots : These are designed for smaller boats with tiller or wheel steering systems. Wheel pilots are typically easy to install and are a popular choice for sailboats and smaller powerboats.
  • Tiller pilots : Designed for boats with tiller steering systems, tiller pilots provide accurate course control and are popular among sailors due to their simplicity and ease of installation.
  • Inboard autopilots : Inboard autopilots are integrated into the boat’s steering system and can be used with hydraulic, electric, or mechanical steering systems. They offer more precise control and are suitable for larger boats or boats with more complex steering systems.

Key Features to Look for in a Marine Autopilot

When choosing a marine autopilot, consider the following features:

  • Compatibility : Ensure the autopilot is compatible with your boat’s steering system and any existing electronics, such as GPS or chartplotters.
  • Ease of installation : Some autopilots are easier to install than others, so consider your skill level and whether you’ll need professional assistance.
  • User interface : Look for an autopilot with a user-friendly interface, making it easy to input course settings and monitor performance.
  • Reliability : Choose an autopilot from a reputable manufacturer known for producing reliable and durable products.

Using Marine Autopilots: Tips and FAQs

  • Always maintain situational awareness while using an autopilot. Even with an autopilot engaged, it’s essential to remain vigilant and monitor your boat’s progress.
  • Perform regular maintenance on your autopilot system, including checking connections, sensors, and software updates.
  • Familiarize yourself with your autopilot’s features and functions to make the most of its capabilities.

Q: Can I leave my boat unattended while the autopilot is engaged? A : No, it’s not safe to leave your boat unattended while the autopilot is engaged. You must always be ready to take control if needed.

Q: Will an autopilot work in rough seas or strong winds? A : Autopilots are designed to handle various conditions, but performance may be affected in extreme weather. It’s important to monitor your boat’s progress and be prepared to take control if necessary.

Q: Can I install a marine autopilot myself? A : While some autopilots are easier to install than others, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional if you’re unsure about the installation process.

Q: Do marine autopilots work with sailboats? A : Yes! Autopilots are available for both powerboats and sailboats, just make sure to choose one compatible with your boat’s steering system.

Best Marine Autopilots

List updated on March 26, 2023

1. Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot

Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot

Buy on Amazon

The Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot is a compact autopilot system perfect for powerboats. Ideal for hydraulically steered systems, it provides relief from manually holding the wheel, particularly at moderate to high speeds. This autopilot boasts solid-state 9-axis AHRS technology that ensures a comfortable ride and reacts to sea conditions to maintain your course. With its easy installation, flexible mounting options, and quick calibration, you’ll be cruising in no time. When paired with a compatible Garmin chartplotter, you can control the autopilot from anywhere on your boat.

Key Features

  • Compact hydraulic autopilot for powerboats
  • Solid-state 9-axis AHRS technology for a comfortable ride
  • Reacts to sea conditions to maintain course
  • Minimal commissioning and calibration
  • Full integration with Garmin electronics
  • Optional Shadow Drive technology for automatic disengagement
  • Flexible mounting options and power consumption
  • Easy to install and calibrate
  • Maintains course even in challenging sea conditions
  • Provides relief from manually steering
  • Flexible mounting options
  • Compatible with Garmin chartplotters for seamless control
  • Not suitable for boats larger than 25′ long
  • Not recommended for fishing or low-speed trolling

We recommend pairing the Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot system with the Garmin Reactor 40 SmartPump V2 for a complete, high-performance setup. The SmartPump V2 ensures optimal steering precision and efficiency, elevating your boating experience.

Garmin Reactor 40 SmartPump V2

Another addon we’d recommend is the Garmin Reactor Autopilot Remote Control which is a perfect companion for Garmin autopilots. This wireless remote offers easy access to essential functions, enhancing convenience and control during your boating adventures.

Garmin Reactor Autopilot Remote Control

2. Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot

Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot

The Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot is a trusty companion designed specifically for small gasoline boats up to 25 horsepower. This autopilot system helps you maintain your heading and stay on course even in tough conditions. The package includes a convenient floating handheld remote with a sunlight-readable display, allowing you to easily control throttle settings from anywhere on your boat. For an even better experience, you can combine it with a compatible Garmin chartplotter or opt for the GHC 50 or GMI 20 Display autopilot instrument bundle.

  • Designed for small gasoline outboard motors up to 25 HP
  • Maintains heading hold and route for a steady course
  • Floating handheld remote control with sunlight-readable display
  • Compatible with Garmin chartplotters and GHC 50 autopilot instrument
  • Perfect for small gasoline boats
  • Easy to use and control
  • Keeps you on course even in challenging conditions
  • Remote control offers convenience and flexibility
  • Compatibility with Garmin chartplotters and GHC 50
  • May not be compatible with all boat brands or models
  • Optional GHC 50/GMI 20 bundle is an additional expense

The Garmin GMI 20 Marine Control/Display is recommended to enhance your Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot system, providing a seamless user interface and better control over the system. It offers essential data monitoring and easy integration with other Garmin devices.

Garmin GMI 20 Marine Instrument Display

3. Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Corepack with SmartPump v2

Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Corepack with SmartPump v2

The Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Corepack with SmartPump v2 is a game-changing autopilot system designed for both powerboats and sailboats. This advanced marine technology offers an incredibly responsive and smooth autopilot performance. With its solid-state 9-axis AHRS, you can mount the Reactor 40 in any orientation, and its patented Shadow Drive technology ensures you remain in control even when the autopilot is engaged. The brushless SmartPump v2 is compact, reliable, and compatible with most hydraulically steered boating applications, making installation a breeze.

  • Solid-state 9-axis Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS)
  • One-size-fits-most, brushless SmartPump v2
  • Patented Shadow Drive technology
  • Full integration with Garmin chartplotters
  • Mounts in any orientation
  • Minimal heading error and power consumption
  • Easy commissioning and calibration
  • SmartPump v2 fits most applications
  • Seamless integration with Garmin chartplotters
  • Requires a compatible Garmin chartplotter
  • Optional features like Auto Guidance need separate purchase of BlueChart g2 Vision charts

We recommend the Garmin GPSMAP 8612xsv, a 12-inch multi-touch widescreen chartplotter/sonar combo that will perfectly complement the Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Corepack with SmartPump v2. This chartplotter features built-in support for Garmin’s premium sonars and preloaded BlueChart g3 coastal charts and LakeVü g3 inland maps. It also offers full integration with the Reactor 40 autopilot system for a seamless and efficient boating experience.

Garmin GPSMAP 8612xsv

4. Simrad NAC-3 Core Pack with Rudder Feedback

Simrad NAC-3 Core Pack with Rudder Feedback

The Simrad NAC-3 Core Pack is an excellent autopilot system designed for boats over 10 meters (35 feet) in length. This pack includes the NAC-3 autopilot computer, Precision-9 compass, and RF25 rudder feedback, along with necessary cabling and connectors. Ideal for high-current drive pumps, mechanical drives, hydraulic linear drives, and solenoid valves, this pack offers multiple control options and easy installation with Virtual Rudder Feedback (VRF) technology.

  • Core autopilot system components
  • Suitable for outboard and I/O boats over 10 meters (35 feet)
  • Compatible with various drive types
  • Multiple control options
  • VRF technology simplifies installation
  • Easy setup with auto-tuning and compass calibration
  • Comprehensive autopilot system for larger boats
  • Easy installation and setup with VRF technology
  • Multiple control options, including dedicated controllers and multifunction displays
  • Compatible with a wide range of drive types
  • Automatic tuning and compass calibration
  • Not suitable for smaller boats
  • May require additional components (drive unit and controller)

The Simrad AP48 Rotary Autopilot Head is an excellent addition to the Simrad NAC-3 Core Pack, providing intuitive control and a large rotary dial for precise steering adjustments. Its dedicated dodge keys and optically bonded 4.1-inch display ensure optimal visibility and ease of use. Enhance your autopilot experience with this essential accessory.

Simrad AP48 Rotary Autopilot Head

The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is another vital accessory for Simrad Autopilot Systems, offering enhanced precision and convenience for smaller sailboats. Don’t miss this valuable upgrade for a better sailing experience.

Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

5. Simrad NAC-2 Autopilot Core Pack

Simrad NAC-2 Autopilot Core Pack

The Simrad NAC-2 Autopilot Core Pack is perfect for smaller vessels up to 10 meters (33 feet) in length. This pack includes the NAC-2 autopilot computer, Precision-9 compass, RF25N rudder feedback unit, and a NMEA 2000 starter kit. Designed for use with low-current hydraulic drives, mechanical drives, and solenoid valves, it provides multiple control options and easy installation. Get your boat on course with this reliable, efficient autopilot system.

  • Core autopilot components
  • Ideal for boats up to 10 meters (33 feet)
  • Easy setup and installation
  • Designed specifically for smaller vessels
  • Comprehensive autopilot system
  • Easy installation and setup with plug-and-play connectors
  • Not suitable for larger boats
  • Additional components (drive unit and controller) required

6. Raymarine EV-150 Power Pilot

Raymarine EV-150 Power Pilot

The EV-150 Power Pilot is a fantastic autopilot solution for small to medium powerboats with hydraulic steering. It’s perfect for boats with single-engine outboards or inboards. This system combines the intelligent EV-1 sensor core and ACU-150 actuator control unit for precise autopilot control. It includes a Type 1 hydraulic autopilot pump that’s compatible with various hydraulic steering cylinder capacities. The complete package comes with a p70Rs control head, ACU-150, EV-1 heading sensor, and a 12 Volt Type 1 hydraulic pump. Upgrading your existing Type 1 hydraulic drive is a breeze with this kit!

  • Hassle-free setup and calibration
  • Intelligent 9-axis EV-1 sensor core
  • Exclusive Raymarine Hydro-Balance technology
  • Precise steering for fuel savings and faster trips
  • Suitable for hydraulic steering systems with 4.9-14.0 cubic inch capacity
  • Easy installation and calibration process
  • Smart, adaptive autopilot system for smooth sailing
  • Enhanced fuel efficiency and quicker arrivals
  • Works with a variety of hydraulic steering systems
  • Perfect for small to medium powerboats
  • Limited compatibility with non-hydraulic steering systems

7. Raymarine EV-100 p70 Wheel Pilot Pack

Raymarine EV-100 p70 Wheel Pilot Pack

The Raymarine EV-100 p70 Wheel Pilot Pack is a complete autopilot solution for wheel-steered sailboats. Perfect for DIY installations, this externally mounted drive attaches directly to your boat’s steering wheel spokes. The system uses the intelligent EV-1 sensor core and ACU-100 actuator control unit for precision autopilot control. You can choose between the P70s control head or a Raymarine Axiom chartplotter for full autopilot control. Ideal for sailboats with a displacement of up to 16,500 lbs (7,500kg).

  • Suitable for wheel-steered sailboats up to 16,500 lbs displacement
  • Designed for cockpit installations
  • SeaTalkNG/NMEA2000 networking compatibility
  • No complicated setup or calibration required
  • Precision monitoring for adaptive autopilot performance
  • Waterproof housing for flexible installation options
  • Easy installation for DIY enthusiasts
  • Adapts to changing sea conditions and vessel dynamics
  • Compatible with a variety of wheel-steered sailboats
  • No calibration needed for hassle-free setup
  • Flexible installation options with waterproof housing
  • Not suitable for non-wheel-steered sailboats

8. Raymarine EV-100 p70 Tiller Pilot Pack

Raymarine EV-100 p70 Tiller Pilot Pack

The Raymarine EV-100 p70 Tiller Pilot Pack is an ideal solution for tiller-steered sailboats. Designed for DIY installations, it mounts easily in the cockpit, attaching to the tiller. The system uses the intelligent EV-1 sensor core and ACU-100 actuator control unit for precise autopilot control. The pack includes a p70 control head, and it’s compatible with Raymarine Axiom chartplotters for complete autopilot control.

  • Suitable for tiller-steered sailboats up to 13,200 lbs displacement
  • Cockpit installation design
  • Tiller drive unit is easily removable and storable
  • Easy DIY installation for tiller-steered sailboats
  • Compatible with various tiller-steered sailboats
  • Designed specifically for tiller-steered sailboats only

9. Raymarine i70 System Pack

Raymarine i70 System Pack

Buy Stand-Alone System on Amazon

Buy for Existing N2K System on Amazon

The Raymarine i70 System Pack offers a sleek, easy-to-use, and powerful instrument designed to display essential navigation and instrument data. This pack is available in two options: Stand-Alone System and for Existing N2K Systems. Both options feature a 4-inch LCD screen with superb clarity and Lighthouse user interface for a seamless navigation experience. The i70 System Pack integrates with SeaTalk and NMEA2000 marine networks, providing customizable digital, analog, and graphical displays for depth, speed, wind, and more.

  • Large 4-inch LCD screen
  • Lighthouse user interface
  • Integration with SeaTalk and NMEA2000 marine networks
  • Customizable data views
  • AIS repeater functionality
  • Transducer connectivity
  • SeaTalkNG, NMEA2000, and SeaTalk network compatibility
  • Easy-to-use interface with customizable data views
  • Excellent visibility with a large, bright display
  • Flexible network compatibility for seamless integration
  • AIS repeater for viewing nearby vessel targets
  • Low power consumption and compact design
  • Separate packs for stand-alone and existing N2K systems may cause confusion
  • May require additional accessories or adapters for full integration

10. Raymarine ST1000 and ST2000 Tiller Pilots

Raymarine ST2000+ Tiller Pilots

Buy ST2000+ on Amazon

Raymarine ST1000+ Tiller Pilots

Buy ST1000+ on Amazon

The Raymarine ST1000 and ST2000 Tiller Pilots are self-contained autopilot systems designed for tiller-steered sailboats. Both models feature a durable housing with an electric linear drive, precision fluxgate compass, and an easy-to-use control panel. The ST1000 is suitable for boats up to 6,600lbs, while the ST2000 is perfect for vessels up to 10,000lbs. They can be used as standalone autopilots or integrated with SeaTalk/NMEA GPS, ensuring safe and easy navigation.

  • Self-contained, removable autopilot systems for tiller-steered boats
  • Durable housing with electric linear drive and precision fluxgate compass
  • Quick mounting and connect/disconnect system for seamless transitions between hand-steering and autopilot control
  • Built-in SeaTalk networking for seamless communication with other instruments
  • AutoTack mode and AutoSeastate for efficient course keeping
  • Clear backlit LCD and 6-button keypad
  • Easy installation and removal for flexible use
  • Compatible with various onboard instruments and GPS systems
  • AutoTack and AutoSeastate features for efficient navigation
  • User-friendly control panel with clear LCD display
  • Two models available to accommodate different boat sizes
  • May require additional accessories for optimal functionality
  • Power consumption may still be a concern for extended trips

Final Thoughts

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sailboat autopilot review

Raymarine Evolution Autopilot – tested and reviewed

As part of the refurbishment of my boat’s creaking electronics, i replaced my old st 2000+ tiller pilot for the new raymarine evolution pilot system..

Straight out of the box, there’s a huge difference between the old ST 2000 and the Raymarine Evolution . Whereas the brains and the controls for the old unit all lived in the chunky, grey tillerpilot housing, the new system separates out controls, drive unit, central processor (ACU-100) and fluxgate compass. And with these functions taken off-board, the tiller arm itself is much sleeker – a neat black cylinder.

Splitting out the functions has another benefit, which is that heading, roll and pitch data from the sensor core feed into the NMEA 2000 network to supply chartplotters and other units. This allows them to calculate the difference between heading and course over the ground, which makes it possible to estimate leeway and tidal vectors, which can be handy.

As they use the NMEA 2000 protocol , the different elements of the Raymarine Evolution system can be positioned anywhere and simply plug into the backbone of the network using the usual cables and T-pieces. The exceptions are the drive arm, which needs to be separately wired with sufficiently heavy cable (6mm2 for my short run) to the ACU, and the ACU itself, which needs the same heavy cable in from the battery to supply the 7A that the unit needs in bad weather.

Calibration was much simpler than expected – just a case of entering a few variables to describe the boat and the sort of response I wanted from the autohelm (cruising, long-distance cruising or racing). After that, the system learns very quickly, thanks to a clever algorithm, and the nine sensors in the digital compass.

Functionality is similar, in that the pilot control head allows you to adjust course up and down in 1-degree and 10-degree increments or, but pressing both buttons at once, tack through 90 degrees. I made good use of this function sailing through the Raz de Sein off west Brittany, and found it answered very well as a helmsman while I grappled with the jibsheets. It would be nice if Raymarine allowed you to specify your own tacking angle, as 90-degrees is a little optimistic for my Sadler 34 with her cruising Dacron sails!

We had some nasty cross swell from both quarters as we rounded the Four lighthouse, and the Raymarine Evolution coped exceedingly well, keeping us on a tight heading within 2-3 degrees of the course – even though the motion had my crewmate hanging over the guardwires looking green. Being an electric drive in the tiller arm, it can be noisy, but the better balanced the boat and its sails are, the less effort the drive needs to make and the quieter it becomes.

The control head also allows you to steer at a constant angle to the wind, rather than on a course, which is handy for long downwind passages. Options include a rotary knob on the control head – more useful for powerboaters, and Raymarine’s Lighthouse II software allows you some controls from your chartplotter. There are hydraulic and mechanical drive units available with a linear or rotary function.

Intuitive and simple to install in a NMEA 2000 network, the Evolution system expands your capabilities. It is more powerful than the traditional Autopilot and has many more options for fine tuning. Controls are simple and efficient thanks to the excellent Lighthouse II interface, which allows you to control via an MFD. Just remember, though, that there’s no mechanical substitute for properly balancing your sails before you engage the autohelm.

  • Price: from £1,249.95
  • More info: raymarine.co.uk

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sailboat autopilot review

Veloce Sailing

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Pelagic Autopilot review

sailboat autopilot review

Amongst several upgrades 2021, Veloce received a brand new Pelagic autopilot to try out.

Having received many questions from readers and followers, I tried to recap the rationale behind the choice and our experience so far.

Why a new autopilot?

Our previous autopilot, a Raymarine ST4000+ had over a decade under its belt. The technology to cope with pitch, yaw and roll was simply not there.

I was looking for a solution allowing me

  • to change down headsail and therefore to handle being overpowered a few minutes
  • to extend the range where I feel comfortable flying (and jibing) a spinnaker single-handed
  • to upgrade/change electronics and bus over the next few years, progressively

Why Pelagic?

I settled for an above-deck autopilot and scanned the market. Several vendors fit the bill and describe their product just right for what I am looking for. Customer reviews are however inconsistent and disagree.

Pelagic however seems to consistently satisfy all sailors who adopt it.

At almost half the price.

Perhaps due to a community of hard-core singlehandlers not enchanted by frivolous features and colour screens, but who sets its expectation at the right level. Nevertheless, folk races regularly across the Pacific with Pelagic Autopilots. There must be something right about it.

Sold and shipped from the West Coast in the US, on the other side of the planet, I worried about difficulties in contacting the company, getting support and assistance, replacement parts, etc.

I needn’t worry. It turns out, Scanmar International, which acquired Pelagic a few years back, operates in Europe as well. Christian, their contact in EU, provided great pre-sales personal help. Together we figured out what configuration would work best on Veloce for our use.

As it will turn out in the coming months, post stale support is astounding and way above expectations. More to come below.

Pelagic Autopilot unboxed

The Pelagic Autopilot has a simple interface with 3 buttons and 6 leds. It features 9 solid state sensors feeling heading/roll/yaw/pitch and a “brain” in its control head.

The solution is independent of all instruments and can be used as redundancy autopilot.

It is modular and its control head can work with actuators from other manufacturers. If available, wind data can be consumed via NMEA0183 connection allowing the autopilot to steer by apparent wind.

Pelagic Autopilot control head

Quite simple to mount, it comes with all the needed installation diagrams. The control head comes bow-facing, stern-facing, port-facing or starboard-facing and can be reconfigured. It must however be aligned with the boat. I 3Dprinted a custom support to create the correct angle, more here

Pelagic standard actuator

Specs available at Pelagic website .

I ordered 2 remote controls to have a back up. I strongly recommend the remote as it allows course changes of 10 and 25 degrees, which are otherwise not possible from the control head.

Rudder gain

Several parameters can fine tune the default settings. However the one really used and changed under sail is “Rudder Gain”.

It indicates how aggressive the autopilot works, how much power it consumes and what sensors are activated. There are some general guidelines about what to expect, however no boat is alike and each sailor will have to find what works best.

Suggested rudder gain

Veloce is at the upper limit of the displacement range recommended for the standard drive unit. We found that the autopilot copes without problems in all conditions with slightly more aggressive settings than indicated above.

Some of the rudder gain settings that we identified:

In 16 to 18kn wind speed dead-down-wind, short chop, required a 3.5 setting and tweaked spinnaker to reduce rolling. Releasing tweaks required a more aggressive gain to cope with roll.

Reaching in 14kn and flat water with a GAIN at 3. Active trimming still required in gusty conditions, but no need to tend the helm. Cruising, a reef in the main works wonders and requires lesser gain (and therefore power consumption).

Close-hauled in 16-18kn wind speed, gusty conditions tracks very well with a GAIN of 2 and reduced jib.

Close-hauled in 18kn wind against the chop with a GAIN set at 2.5.

The default auto-tacking angle is 90 degree and can be changed within a 80 to 105 range. I found an 84 degree angle is just right to accelerate after a tack.

Vibrations under engine on Veloce, cause heavy yaw. The problem is obvious especially at low  rpm. Opening a case with Scanmar International I received prompt assistance and a software upgrade to solve the problem with a vibration dampening feature. Together with Brian, who developed the Pelagic from its very beginning, we are setting up a Whatsapp video call on the water to adjust some internal parameters and fine tune the new vibrations damping function.

This is definitely the support I hoped for and beyond the one I expected.

I am impressed by the Pelagic and its ability to cope with almost any situation. It does what it promises and it does it well. No drama. Planets away from its predecessor aboard Veloce.

About a month ago I participated at the Midsummer Solo Challenge 2021 ( here the report ) where the Pelagic Autopilot steered about 90% of the race (35 hours) delivering very well in all conditions.

It overheats when driving too aggressively in sloppy seas and little wind, but it never quits and gain can be decreased.

Louder than my previous actuator, the sound however is a low hum and does not disturb at all.

If had to wish something, I’d like course adjustment of one degree, rather than 2 degree steps. It would provide more accuracy upwind.

This said, it does deliver on all my 3 objectives.

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Thanks for very interesting reading.

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Glad you enjoyed it!

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Just bought one! They assemble it Tuesday. Thanks much my your report mate, Waaaay cranked!

And mounted down below running a trim tab will be maxing out at about 5% of of the beef it can deliver.

Can’t wait

Nice to hear! Very powerful and accurate. Enjoy it!

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Hi, let u know am born deaf do my best English, thanks. I live on yacht for 22years guy told me about this Pelagic autopilot better. What I looking for is to look inside worm rod with tube pushing & back, motor like to see inside too are main important like to see please show me. Reason in website are not shown part inside. Am interesting but how long do they lasting worn out both motor & worm rod ? Does pelagic worm rod are lose or wobble at full length out ? I have 2nd ST 4000 autopilot they last 15,000nm. Thank you

Hi Paul, I don’t have the Sun Fast mounting the Pelagic any longer, so I cannot inspect one at the moment. What I can say is that I used it heavily for a season and did not notice any wobbling at all. In fact, it felt so solid that going to a Raymarine EV100 on my current J/80 was a bit of a shock. The latter feels very fragile in comparison with considerable wobble. As far as I know, the ST4000 and EV100 drive units are the same.

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What’s the best autopilot kit for a transatlantic?

Yachting World

  • August 4, 2023

Over 250 transatlantic skippers from the most recent ARC fleet report back on the efficacy and reliability of their self-steering and self-sufficiency equipment

sailboat autopilot review

Few cruising skippers would argue with ocean sailing guru and founder of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) Jimmy Cornell when he says some form of self-steering is ‘essential for any boat that is going to be sailing offshore for any length of time’. Yet there is no requirement from World Cruising Club (WCC) for yachts participating in any of their ocean rallies to have any system at all installed.

Either way – essential or not – anyone who has endured a long enforced watch at the wheel of a yacht will testify that while steering a course can be a pleasure, being unable to leave the helm can also be a nightmare at sea.

More than 250 vessels took part in the most recent series of WCC rallies across the Atlantic – 142 entered the 2,700-mile ARC from Gran Canaria to St Lucia; 92 entered ARC Plus from to Grenada via the Cape Verdes Islands, and 30 entered ARC January, which is the same route as the November ARC.

The questions we asked each of these crews focussed on self-steering and we also asked for each skipper’s three top self-sufficiency tips. We wanted to know which was the most popular self-steering method, how the equipment performed, what went wrong and what the top tips are for successful self-steering at sea.

sailboat autopilot review

If a self-steering system needs to pilot your yacht for thousands of miles do you choose electronic, windvane or both? Photo: Oyster Yachts

Autopilot vs windvane

Of the 230 complete responses to the questionnaire (out of a total of 251 yachts that finished one of the three separate events) there were five yachts that sailed without any form of self-steering. Other than them, every yacht had an electronic autopilot fitted – no-one that we know of sailed with windvane only, although 33 yachts had windvane systems fitted as well as autopilots, and some windvanes were in fact used as the primary system. Monohulls make up the majority of yachts fitted with windvane self-steering, but there were two catamarans using them (out of 65 multihulls overall) as well.

sailboat autopilot review

Windvanes are still a popular option for some, though mostly used as a back up. Photo: ARC2022

Electronic autopilots are obviously now the dominant technology in self-steering and the most modern refinements, such as the 9-axis sensor, sailing specific algorithms and the powerful remote controls, have improved usability over the last decade.

The average boat in the fleet is around 15 years old, while the average electronic autopilot installation is half that age. While there’s no denying that there’s still a place for vintage kit – some were using pilots from Raytheon dating back 30 years – it’s worth mentioning that the questionnaire results do indicate that the older the boat, the lower the rating given to the self-steering gear (even though not all older boats carry old autopilots!).

Even the smallest vessel in the fleet, the 9.75m long catamaran Ciel Bleu , used a tiller pilot while the smallest monohull, Canadian flagged Venturi I , relied solely on a Raymarine pilot.

The next biggest yacht, 1980 Hallberg-Rassy 352 Petoya Too , had both a windvane and an autopilot fitted. Petoya Too ’s German skipper Thomas Klemens recorded using his boat’s 10-year-old Raymarine ST1001 wheelpilot for one hour a day and the two-year-old Hydrovane windvane for 23 hours per day.

Performance reviews

There are now three main suppliers for autopilot equipment in the ARC fleet: Raymarine, B&G and Garmin. Just under 55% of respondents used Raymarine control units and a further 34% used B&G. Furthermore the split between Raymarine and B&G was almost identical for the choice of course computers. Garmin was the third most popular option with 6% or 15 boats using their products.

The pumps/drives were evenly split: one third hydraulic; one third linear and the remaining third split between wheel, rotary and tiller drives (in that order).

Sixty-seven skippers rated their autopilot control unit/head/display 5 out of 5, while 112 rated theirs 4 out of 5. That’s 80% of autopilot respondents. And in a related finding from the survey: 156 (63%) rated their yachts’ course/drive computer at 4 out of 5 or 5 out of 5. This can only be interpreted as a huge vote of confidence in autopilot technology.

Seventy-five boats reported problems with their autopilots, 56 of which were encountered on the ocean crossing (rather than the ‘shakedown’ sail to Las Palmas from mainland Europe). Digging into the details of those problems reveals that skippers demand perfection but will still cede control to the unit even if performance levels drop significantly.

Drive unit problems made up 45% of the issues encountered – that’s 25 drive units across the fleet that were deemed unsatisfactory by over 250 transatlantic skippers. Just over 20% of problems were traced back to the course computer or the control unit, which leaves 30% (approximately) of problems in the ‘don’t know category’.

sailboat autopilot review

Photo: SV Bluewater Mooney/ARC2022

Problems and solutions

Many skippers gave their self-steering equipment quite high ratings and then went on to raise multiple issues with the overall performance or installation or reliability of their set-ups. It makes for an interesting read, and leads us to conclude that for most skippers even a poorly functioning self-steering system is better than nothing.

We discovered multiple references to autopilots as people, or crewmembers with foibles and idiosyncrasies: The skipper of Amandla Kulu advises feeding the autopilot coffee and biscuits, while the German skipper of Petoya Too described his Hydrovane as: ‘a full crew who needs no food – happy with it all the time.’

Not all windvane systems were quite so highly rated. The skipper of Malouine made a positive report on the yacht’s self-steering: ‘She is doing a good job, but takes a lot of energy, so we prefer using the Windpilot’ – which is typical praise of ‘free’ self-steering windvane systems over previous ARCs. They averaged eight hours per day on autopilot, stating: ‘we turned off the autopilot in squalls/strong winds so that it lasts for longer and has less wear and tear.’

They relied instead on a 30+ year old Windpilot for up to 10 hours per day, but even that wasn’t smooth sailing all the time: ‘Working unless the wind is coming directly from behind, then she zigzags and too big waves make her steer off course.’

sailboat autopilot review

A reliable self-steering crewmember can make all the difference for a relaxing smooth passage. Photo: Tor Johnson

The 2011 UK-flagged Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45DS Optimistic was another of the belt-and-braces boats with autopilot and windvane on board. The boat’s hydraulic drive unit, computers and sensors worked perfectly for 22 hours per day on the crossing (via Cape Verdes), but the skipper reported problems with the Hydrovane instead: ‘The Hydrovane rudder broke on day two of leg one. It was repaired in Cape Verde then snapped in half on day two of leg two.’

His verdict: ‘Hydrovane did everything in their power to help me out in this situation. Their support and customer service has been very good,’ yet he concluded: the Hydrovane ‘cannot cope with big waves’. His top three tips for self-sufficiency: ‘1. conservative sail plan at night 2. good preparation 3. good tools and spares.’

Usually, windvanes take over the steering when/if autopilots fail. However there was another UK-flagged large monohull for which the opposite was true. Paul Cook, skipper of Esti , a 1996 Moody 44, was very impressed with his recently installed Raymarine ACU-400 with hydraulic ram. ‘It saved us and performed perfectly. We found the “wind vane” mode to be perfect for optimising wind shifts,’ he said. So although he didn’t need to rely on the failed windvane rudder, he pointed out that without it he’d lost his main emergency steering system.

sailboat autopilot review

Back up autopilot switch system on a Nautitech 46. Photo: Chet Chauhan

Autopilots aren’t without their share of faults though. South African skipper Darrol Martin took part in the ARC Plus aboard his 1988 Amel Mango . He and his crew took apart their Raymarine rotary drive unit multiple times en route to Las Palmas as well as once during the ocean passage. Despite a professional installation less than four months before the start of the event, Martin reported that the drive gears were ‘mismatched’ and the screws were too small and ‘not strong enough to hold’.

On passage to Mindelo, they made repairs using spare ring gears and planetary gears bought in Las Palmas and reported: ‘After 4th repair, it worked perfectly for 2nd half of the crossing.’ This was followed up by some further advice: ‘Get a windvane as backup. Autopilot is not robust.’

Article continues below…

Pip Hare explains how to get the best from your autopilot

How to set up your autopilot to sail faster, more comfortably and be more efficient

Pip Hare explains how setting your autopilot to suit conditions will be faster, more comfortable and more efficient

sailing-autopilot-systems-macif-ultime-racing-yacht-aerial-view-credit-Vincent-Curutchet-ALeA

How new-age sailing autopilot systems are putting computers at the helm

A couple of decades ago I’d have recommended anyone planning an ocean crossing without a big crew to fit wind…

Thirty boats crossed the startline for the ARC January, including skipper Paolo Santagiuliana aboard his virtually brand new Neel 51 trimaran Chica 3 . The boat was fitted with the Zeus 3 chartplotter/multifunction display, which he rated 4 out of 5, but Santagiuliana found that the sensors feeding the data to his B&G drive unit via a H5000 CPU resulted in ‘very frequent ROUTE OFF’ messages. He rated the pilot’s performance as ‘very poor’ in the second half of the crossing and lamented not bringing spare sensors, but he had made provisions for such a failure by fitting a second autopilot.

‘We arrived thanks to the second one. The limit of the second one is that it cannot be fully interfaced with the B&G Zeus so you can’t automatically follow the wind, you have to manually modify the route.’ The H5000 has now been recalibrated: ‘narrowing the value of rudder gain, auto trim and counter rudder that were too large, generating a wide variation of route when the wave was more than 2-3m. I have to say that the software is much less easy for a normal sailor used to other brands.’

sailboat autopilot review

Photo: James Kenning/SV Falcon

Skipper Edgar Sesemann aboard 1998 Van Dam Nordia 55 Saphir af Stockholm gave middling ratings to his six-year-old Raymarine linear drive autopilot, but his secret weapon for ‘excellent’ autopilot performance?

‘I have two autopilot systems: One is the Raymarine with two mechanic linear drives that work together directly on the rudder quadrant (one pull, one push) and it makes it very strong. They both get the information from the same course computer.

‘The second autopilot is the Mamba drive that was the original autopilot on Saphir and it works by the wires to the rudder quadrant. It’s totally separated from the Raymarine system and has only compass heading. It has also been upgraded with a new separate course computer.’

sailboat autopilot review

eremy Snyder has both hydraulic and electric autopilot drives on his stunning Bestevaer 56ST Falcon Spirit, but had to swap out the Raymarine rudder sensor when it failed. Photo: Photos: Jeremy Snyder

Sesemann describes the value of a backup system, particularly for a double-handed yacht on long passages. ‘We got the experience in bad weather on the North Sea crossing from Inverness to Denmark. My wife was seasick and I had to hand steer for 20 hours in 5-6m waves. After that, the second autopilot was installed.’

Self-sufficiency

This year’s final question could be an article all of its own: ‘What are your three tips for keeping your yacht reliable and being self-reliant at sea?’

Klas Gunnar Johansen, skipper of 2001 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 52.2 Blue Sunshine reported ‘two downwind sails ripped in the squalls and acceleration zones off Cape Verdes, plus the autopilot failed, as did the radar.’ The autopilot was an Autohelm ST6000 fitted in 2001 and he wrote: ‘Made a service on the unit prior to passage but it failed us on passage and we had to hand steer from day 2-12’. His top tips? ‘1. A thorough inspection before the passage 2. Three walk-arounds a day 3. A creative mindset.’

Dutch skipper Willem Henry Spek was one of several to carry both autopilot and windvane self-steering and he was glad to have the redundancy aboard.

sailboat autopilot review

he 2022/ early 2023 ARC crossings were relatively trouble-free for a combined total of over 250 yachts. However, Grand Soleil 54 Take Off was dismasted 1,550 miles from St Lucia. Showing impressive self-sufficiency the family crew continued on to the Caribbean under jury rig and engine. Photo: Tim Wright/photoaction.com

His venerable autopilot set-up on board his 2008 Bavaria Vision 44 included the ST6002 from Raymarine, now discontinued, which he discovered being ‘very greedy with DC power’ from the batteries due most likely to the system ‘hunting’ or over-correcting. He had to adjust rudder damping and response to reduce the power and smooth out the course when under autopilot. He also had to replace some nuts and bolts with Nyloc nuts.

The redundant unit was, it turns out, the windpilot, which he decided to dismantle because of concerns over its installation. Additional problems included the freezer not staying cold and some tears in the sails. His 3 tips for self-sufficiency: ‘1. Redundancy. 2. Know your kit so you can repair. 3. Spares and tools.’

The fleet’s smallest yacht was a British-flagged 1988 Fountaine-Pajot Maldives 32, which was driven 24 hours a day by a Raymarine ST2000 tiller pilot. Skipper Jonathan Walmsley carried two complete spare autopilots but didn’t need to use them, even when his primary pilot started behaving erratically. His top tip for tiller pilot owners is to fit a waterproof cover (including on the ram).

He also suffered starter motor failure, hence his top three tips for self-sufficiency across the Atlantic were: ‘1. Two methods of engine start 2. Complete spare autohelm 3. Know and understand all your boat’s systems’.

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How to Use a B&G Autopilot system

  • By Jonathan Mckee
  • Updated: July 20, 2021

A hand presses buttons on a display.

Having a modern autopilot—and ­knowing how to use it—can really expand what you can do with your boat. I have a 44-foot racer/cruiser named Dark Star . A few years ago, I did a solo sailing delivery from Desolation Sound in central British Columbia to Seattle, a distance of 200 miles. This would normally be a three-day trip, but with extensive use of my B&G pilot, I was able to make the passage in 24 hours by myself. This kind of trip is not for everyone, but it was a cool experience for me, made possible because I had a good autopilot and I know how to control it reasonably well.

I use the pilot a lot on Dark Star , both for cruising and shorthanded racing. When motoring, I employ the pilot most of the time, only hand-steering in crowded locations. Of course, it is critical to maintain a proper lookout at all times. The boat will go straight, but we’re still responsible for knowing what is in our path, be it land, logs, whales or other boats. I find not having to constantly steer makes the deliveries less tiring and more fun. Plus, it allows me to get some projects done while underway. I still keep a close watch for logs and kelp, two perennial hazards in Puget Sound, typically steering around the hazard using the +10 or -10 course-change keys.

For shorthanded racing, I use the pilot mostly when sailing singlehanded and during maneuvers when I’m racing doublehanded. For example, it is far easier to hoist the main with the pilot on, so you can use all your energy to pull up the sail. The pilot is also helpful for sail changes. Use the pilot to go straight (or maintain a constant wind angle) while you prepare for the maneuver, then use the pilot to assume the correct course during and after the maneuver. Let’s say I’m hoisting the spinnaker with two people aboard. Once I have the kite rigged and ready, I will set the pilot to steer 160 degrees true-wind angle. Then the two of us can pull out the tack at our leisure and hoist the sail carefully, with one person jumping at the mast and the second tailing. Once the new sail is up, one person can go the helm, heading up to the desired angle while the second crew trims the sheet.

The pilot works best in steady conditions, although modern pilots are capable of dealing with shifty wind as well. If I am cruising or racing with a small crew, I will switch on the pilot every time I want to make an adjustment to the sails, check the chart, eat a snack, etc. Normally, I use my remote to control the pilot, which I have on a lanyard around my neck. I can control the boat’s course no matter where I am on the boat while also remembering to keep a good lookout, exercise good seamanship, and not get lazy.

I also use the pilot extensively when racing at night or when I am tired. I find I can still keep a good watch while using less energy than if I was hand-steering. Sometimes I will set an alarm just in case I nod off.

A hand pressing buttons on a remote.

I recently upgraded my autopilot ­system on Dark Star to a B&G H5000, and man, what a difference. The pilot is now much more accurate and responsive, and capable of steering well in a lot more conditions, including under spinnaker and in shifting winds. Lately, I have been racing my boat exclusively doublehanded, so having a modern pilot is a huge benefit, and it makes racing more fun and less work. It would be really hard to race my boat well doublehanded without it. I have used my new system for about a year, so I am no expert with it, but there are a few settings and controls that I currently use. (Remember, these settings are for the B&G H5000, but other brands will offer similar functionality.)

Pilot Mode: Push “Auto” on the controller or remote to engage (pilot steering to course), then push “Mode” to toggle between compass, true-wind angle and apparent-wind angle (pilot steering to wind angle). Push “Standby” to disengage.

Change Course in Compass Mode: From the controller or remote, push +1 for a 1-degree right turn, push +10 for a 10-degree right turn, push -1 for a 1-degree left turn, and push -10 for a 10-degree left turn.

Change Course in AWA or TWA Mode: From the controller or remote, push +1 for a 1-degree bear away, push +10 for a 10-degree bear away, push -1 for a 1-degree head up, and push -10 for a 10-degree head up. For 95 percent of situations, that is all I need, but using the pilot to help with tacking and jibing is incredibly helpful, and there are ­several modes to use.

Tacking in Compass Mode: First prepare the boat to tack. When ready, push +1 and +10 together to turn right, or -1 and -10 together to turn left. The boat will start to tack. The change of course is set in Setup>Sailing>Tack Angle>80 degrees. The rate of turn can be controlled in the “Tack Time” parameter: Setup>Sailing>Tack Time>8 sec.

Tacking in Wind Mode (Either TWA or AWA): Prepare the boat and sails to tack. When everything is ready, push +1d and -1d together for a couple of seconds. When you see the confirmation box, push +1d to confirm. The boat will start to tack. The new final course will mirror the wind angle before the tack.

Jibing: The procedure is the same as tacking. If the TWA is greater than 70 degrees, the boat will jibe instead of tack.

Another important control is the Pilot Response . This is my most often-used ­control. It manages the overall response of the pilot steering. There are five settings between Perf 1 (low response, low power use) and Perf 5 (high response, high power use). The keystrokes from any display are as follows: Main Menu>Response>Perf 3. You want to start with a lower setting, then increase it if the boat can’t keep course, either because of sea state or variable wind. So, use Perf 1 for flat water and steady wind, but Perf 4 for shifty wind or big waves.

Another control that is adjusted less often is Auto Response . This controls the rate the pilot reacts to any environmental influences on the boat’s desired course. For this, go to Menu>Steering>Auto Response>Economy, Normal or Sport. Recovery Function allows the user to set the sensitivity to course errors, and how the pilot reacts to unexpected events. If this is enabled, the pilot will switch to Perf 5 for a short period to correct course. The path here is: Menu>Steering>Recovery>Narrow (most responsive), Medium or Wide.

Heel Compensation applies a preemptive rudder correction in response to heel. The path here is: Sailing>Heel Compensation>Enable, then Sailing>Heel Compensation>1 through 10.

Rudder Gain controls the amount of rudder used for a given course error, especially at low response levels. The path here is: Installation>Commissioning>Sea Trial>Rudder Gain>3.

Cruising Speed sets the baseline speed, usually close to the hull speed of your boat. The path here is: Steering>Limits>Cruising Speed>7 knots.

Auto Trim corrects for persistent course errors by looking at the rudder offset. To set this up, follow: Installation>Commissioning>Sea Trial> Auto Trim>60 seconds.

Adapt is a cool steering algorithm that continues to learn variables that are essential for steering performance. To get to this function: Installation>Commissioning>Sea Trial>Adapt>Enable.

If Wind Mode is enabled, the pilot will automatically switch from apparent-wind angle upwind to true-wind angle downwind (at 70 degrees TWA). I like to enable this because I prefer AWA upwind and TWA downwind. To set this: Sailing>Wind Mode>Auto.

One other tip I’ll share is to wait to engage the pilot until the boat is stable and going straight. Then push the Auto button on either the remote or the controller. Wait a few seconds to make sure the pilot is engaged and doing well before you walk away. I often start out in Compass Mode, then shift to Wind Mode when I am happy with the course. I always carry the remote with me as I move around the boat so I can make course adjustments at any time.

I am most familiar with the B&G ­system, but whatever system you use, make sure your calibrations and setup are done carefully and correctly. Then take the time to really learn how your pilot works, get comfortable with the main controls, and practice using it until it is familiar. For me, effective use of a modern autopilot has made sailing and delivering more fun and allowed me to use my boat in different ways, especially over long distances and shorthanded. By the way, the Vendée Globe first-to-finish skipper Charlie Dalin used the pilot on his foiling IMOCA 60 for every minute of his 80-day trip around the planet, never once hand-steering the boat. I don’t suggest this for the rank-and-file shorthanded sailor, but it sure shows the potential of this great tool.

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The 4 Best Autopilots For Small Boats

Paul Stockdale Author Avatar

Top boat autopilot systems will assist skippers and captains in operating a vessel on the water.

There are a number of top small boat autopilot systems to choose from with each designed with its own unique strengths.

The best autopilots for small boats are:

  • Best For Small Motorboats : Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot
  • Best For Small Sailboats : Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack
  • Best For Both Inboard & Outboard Boats : Furuno Navpilot 711C
  • Best For Tiller Steered Boats : Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

Great marine autopilot systems are capable of adapting to changing marine conditions and responding appropriately to maintain a steady course.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.

1. Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot

Best Small Motorboat Autopilot Garmin Compact Reactor40

The first best marine autopilot is the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot. The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot is manufactured by the brand Garmin in Taiwan and sold worldwide. We rate this autopilot system 9.9/10. This is the best autopilot for small motorboats.

The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot is designed for motorboats less than 30ft. with a single-engine outboard motor of 20 horsepower or less.

Most retailers price the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot between $2,000 to $2,400. The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot comes with a limited 1-year warranty which ensures the autopilot will be free from defects in materials or workmanship.

To use the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot, a minimum 10v power supply is required.

The installation time of the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System is between 15 and 25 minutes from start to finish.

The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System can be used in winds up to 20 knots.

With winds over 10 knots, using the remote control to adjust the autopilot throttle settings helps maintain the heading, minimize heading error and keep the boat on course.

The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System can operate in temperatures from 5°F to 158°F.

The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System package includes a 9-axis attitude and heading reference system, 1 GHC 20 helm control with 4.3" display, 1 NMEA 2000 2 meter drop cable, 1 NMEA 2000 power cable, NMEA 2000 T-connectors, male and female terminators, buzzer, interconnect cable, electronic control unit, ECU power cable, 1.0 L pump, reactor 40 CCU, wall mounts, installation and owner operations manuals and 1 warranty registration booklet.

The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System weighs 14.4 pounds. It has a waterproof rating of IPX6. It is black in color.

The benefits of the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System are:

  • Easily operated remotely : The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System can easily be operated by using a remote control to adjust heading and throttle settings without the need to be at the helm
  • ISO 9001 certified : The Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot System is ISO 9001 certified which means it meets North American manufacturing and design quality standards
  • Fast Installation : This autopilot system can be installed quickly in under 25 minutes

Two disadvantages of the Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot are it is not compatible with motorboats over 30 feet and it will only function on outboard engine motorboats only.

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2. Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack

Best Small Sailboat Autopilot Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack

The second best marine autopilot is the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack. The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack is manufactured by the brand Raymarine and sold worldwide. We rate this autopilot system 9.8/10. This is the best autopilot for small sailboats.

This Raymarine autopilot system is designed for small sailboats where the sailboat has a maximum displacement of 16,500 pounds and is under 40ft.

Most retailers price the Raymarine Wheel Pilot Pack between $1,750 to $2,000. The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack autopilot system comes with a limited 2-year warranty with the option of upgrading the warranty period to 3 years free of charge.

To upgrade the warranty to 3 years free of charge, Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System buyers will need to register their product on the Raymarine website.

To use the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System, a minimum 12v power supply is required.

The installation time of the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System is between 23 and 33 minutes from start to finish.

The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System is extremely adaptable. It can be used in winds up to 16 knots with no calibration needed due to the autopilot automatically adapting to the vessel's steering characteristics.

In winds up to 16 knots, the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System is accurate and able to maintain a precise and accurate course even in harsh marine environments.

The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System can operate in temperatures from -5°F to 130°F.

The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System comes in a package that includes 1 EV-100 wheel drive pilot with a clutch engagement mechanism, 1 NMEA2000 marine networks compliant p70s control head device with a 3.5" LED screen, 1 EV1 sensor, 1 ACU-100 drive control unit with 2 screws and a mount, 1 SeaTalk cable kit that includes a 0.4m power cable, 1x 5m SeaTalk backbone cable, 1x 0.4m SeaTalk spur cable, 1x SeaTalk 5-way connector block, 2x SeaTalk t-piece connector and a 2x SeaTalk Terminator. The package also includes installation instruction documentation, warranty registration information, part information and installation tools.

The Raymarine Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System weighs 14.5 pounds.

The benefits of the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack are:

  • IPX6 Waterproof : The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack Autopilot System is rated IPX6 waterproof which means it is waterproof against high-pressure water. This means it can be used both above and below deck
  • Fits multiple spoked steering wheels : The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel comes with multiple predrilled holes which allows it to easily be attached to different spoke wheels from 2-spoke to 12-spoke steering wheels
  • Easy to use : The Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack autopilot system can be easily installed and the clear instructional booklet makes it simple to use with clear set-up instructions
  • Mechanical and hydraulic steering compatible : This autopilot system is compatible with both mechanical and hydraulic steering systems and is not limited to one

One disadvantage of the Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack is it is not compatible with sailboats with a displacement higher than 16,500 pounds.

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3. Furuno Navpilot 711C

Best Inboard Outboard Autopilot Furuno Navpilot 711C

The third best marine autopilot is the Furuno Navpilot 711C. The Furuno Navpilot 711C is manufactured by the brand Furuno and sold worldwide. We rate this autopilot system 9.7/10.

The Furuno Navpilot 711C is designed for small boats under 35ft.

The Furuno Navpilot 711C works with Yanmar, Yamaha, Seastar and Volvo Penta marine engines.

Most retailers price the Furuno Navpilot 711C between $2,900 to $3,250. The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes with a limited 2-year warranty.

The Furuno Navpilot 711C requires a minimum 12v power supply to operate.

The installation time of the Furuno Navpilot 711C System is between 20 and 30 minutes from start to finish.

The Furuno Navpilot 711C can be used in winds up to 15 knots. The Furuno Navpilot 711C can be adjusted to any sea conditions with 3 sea condition settings available on this autopilot including a calm setting, a moderate setting and a rough setting.

The 3 sea condition settings on the Furuno Navpilot 711C will help the autopilot to operate effectively in various marine weather conditions from calm weather to rougher seas.

These settings help ensure the autopilot can adapt to all marine environments and ensure an accurate course.

The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes with 4 different mode settings which are auto mode, advanced mode, NAV mode and wind mode.

For outboard motors only, there is a Sabiki mode on the Furuno Navpilot 711C that can be toggled on or off which allows the direction to be kept by adjusting the throttle.

The Furuno Navpilot 711C can operate in temperatures from 0°F to 140°F.

The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes in a package that includes a 4.1" LCD display unit, 1 rudder reference unit with 20 meter cable, terminator, 1 processor unit, 15-meter cable between processor unit and controller unit, standard spare parts, installation instructions, 176-page operator's manual and 1 warranty registration booklet.

The Furuno Navpilot 711C is rated IPX5 waterproof which means it is protected from moderate levels of water.

The benefits of the Furuno Navpilot 711C are:

  • NMEA2000 certified : The Furuno Navpilot 711C is NMEA2000 certified which means it has been tested to meet specific safety criteria
  • Great alarm to keep the captain alerted : The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes with a great alarm that has 8 alerts which are heading deviation alert, cross-track error alert, boat speed alert, depth alert, water temperature alert, wind speed alert, log trip alert and a watch alert
  • Works on both inboard and outboard engines : This autopilot system works on both inboard and outboard motors and is not limited to one type of boat motor
  • Works both night and day : The colorful and bright 4.1" LED display unit of the Furuno Navpilot 711C allows the autopilot to be operated in both the daytime and nighttime and it is not limited to just daytime boating
  • Self-learning algorithm : The Furuno Navpilot 711C comes with a self-learning algorithm that will track & make adjustments to the boat steering characteristics and power application plus it greatly reduces manual helm effort in maneuvering situations

One disadvantage of the Furuno Navpilot 711C is it is expensive with a price tag of between $2,900 to $3,250.

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4. Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

Best For Tiller-Steered Boats Autopilot Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

The fourth-best boat autopilot is the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot. The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is manufactured by the brand Simrad and sold worldwide. We rate this autopilot system 9.5/10. This is the best autopilot for small tiller-steered boats.

The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is designed for small boats of 32ft or less with a maximum displacement of 8,160 pounds.

Most retailers price the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot between $600 to $900. The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot comes with a limited 2-year warranty.

The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot requires a minimum 12v power supply to operate.

The installation time of the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is approximately 15 minutes to complete.

The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot comes with 5 buttons which are a "left" button, a "right" button, a "tack" button, a "stby auto" button and a "cal" button. It comes with 2 modes which are standard mode and autopilot mode. These modes help the autopilot to adapt to various marine conditions and accurately operate with only minor levels of calibration needed in harsh weather conditions.

The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot can be used in winds up to 12 knots. It can operate in temperatures from 14°F to 131°F. It operates with a peak thrust of 143 pounds.

The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot comes in a package that includes the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot, a 32-page user's manual, a warranty registration booklet and screws.

The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is rated IPX5 waterproof which means it is can resist low-pressure seawater spray.

The benefits of the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot are:

  • Fast 15-minute installation time : The installation of this autopilot system takes just 15 minutes to complete
  • Built-in auto tack and auto gybe facility : The built-in auto tack and auto gybe facility on the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot allows for easy tacking and gybing of the vessel when single-handed
  • Lightweight : The Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is a lightweight autopilot weighing just 4.41 pounds

Two disadvantages of the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot is it will not work on boats over 32ft and the owner's manual is confusing as it includes 3 different Simrad autopilot models in the same manual.

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Top Autopilots For Small Boats Comparison Table

What to consider when buying a boat autopilot.

The 5 most important factors to consider when buying a boat autopilot are:

  • Ease of use : Ensure the marine autopilot system is easy to use with simple instructions and a clear and simple installation guide to make it as easy as possible
  • Price : The price is important when buying a boat autopilot system. A buyer's budget will influence the marine autopilot that will be purchased
  • Compatibility : Ensuring the autopilot system can function and operate on your specific boat size and weight is important to ensure the autopilot works correctly
  • Reliability : An autopilot system should be reliable and able to operate consistently in a variety of conditions
  • Accuracy : The autopilot should be able to maintain a precise and accurate course, even in challenging conditions

Frequently Asked Questions About Top Marine Autopilot Systems

Below are the most commonly asked questions about the top small boat autopilots.

What Are The Best Boat Autopilot Brands?

The best boat autopilot brands are:

How Much Does The Best Boat Autopilot Cost?

The best boat autopilots costs between $600 and $3,250.

What Is The Cheapest Top Boat Autopilot?

The cheapest top boat autopilot is the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot which costs between $600 and $900.

What Is The Most Expensive Top Boat Autopilot?

The most expensive top boat autopilot is the Furuno Navpilot 711C which costs between $2,900 and $3,250.

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Best Marine Autopilots – Unbiased Reviews

We’ve run the new Garmin GHP10, Raymarine S1000, Simrad AP12H, and Coursemaster CM80i marine autopilots through their paces aboard our 25′ Contender test boat.

A small boat autopilot is one piece of marine electronics we don’t know what we’d do without. It is simply a joy to have one of these electronic helmsman installed aboard our boat standing by at the ready to take the wheel at the push of a button.

It takes us to far-off fishing holes, trolls a straight line while putting out lures, makes long trips fun instead of work, and just plain handles the steering chores when we don’t want to. Just like upgrading from a standard television set to a high definition flat screen, once you’ve done it, you see how big the difference really is and you wonder how you lived without this for so long.

Just like upgrading from standard television to high definition, once you’ve done it, you see how big the difference really is and you wonder how you lived without it for so long.

Autopilots are the same way, once you have one installed this particular piece of marine electronics on your boat you won’t want to own a boat without one again.

Every autopilot listed above was tested aboard our 25′ center console Contender powered by a single 250 HP outboard. This boat is equipped with Seastar hydraulic steering and each autopilot was installed according to the autopilot manufacturers’ instructions. Normally we keep an autopilot installed on our boat for at least one year to complete a full evaluation.

Best Marine Auto Pilots

Garmin ghp10.

Garmin sent us the Garmin GHP10 autopilot system for long-term testing aboard our 25′ single-engine Contender. This Garmin autopilot is designed for boats up to approximately 70 feet in length equipped with hydraulic steering.

Several components make up the GHP10 autopilot package; they include the Garmin GHC10 control unit, Course Computer unit (CCU), Electronic Control unit (ECU), Shadow Drive™ sensor, and a hydraulic pump.

garmin ghp10 autopilot components

Garmin GHP 10 Components Top Row – CCU, 2.0 L hydraulic pump, and GHC10 control head Bottom Row – GHC10 Cover, ECU, and Shadow Drive sensor

Three hydraulic pumps, a 1.2 L, 2.0 L, and 2.1 L, are available for this system. The appropriate pump is selected based on your engine setup and steering system. We are testing with the 2.0 L pump.

Cabling to connect the components and build a NMEA 2000 network is also supplied.

Thankfully, the Garmin GHP10 does not require a rudder interface unit for proper operation.

In a growing trend, this autopilot is now one of several small-boat marine autopilots currently on the market that do not need a rudder interface unit to function properly. Owners with outboards who operate in saltwater will be especially happy Garmin decided to make sure this breakage-prone part was not part of this autopilot system.

Pump and ECU Installation

garmin ghp10 autopilot components

Garmin GHP10 Pump and ECU Installation

The first Garmin GHP10 component we installed was the pump. As recommended we found a spot on the deck below our helm station to mount the brawny well-constructed unit.

We used the hydraulic hoses from our last autopilot to connect to the pump. We had to buy one extra section of hose to add the Shadow Drive™ sensor.

The pump was fastened to the deck with four supplied screws and washers in an out-of-way location near a wire bundle and bulkheead.

Next, we mounted the GHP10 ECU. It needs to be close enough to the pump so the two cables from the pump can be plugged into the ECU.

We fastened the unit to the aft bulkhead of our center console with six screws just above the pump.

GHC10 Control Head Installation

garmin ghc10 control head

The Garmin GHC10 control head front page has a large easy to read heading display.

The next step we choose to accomplish was to mount the GHC10 control unit. We had room in the lower right corner of our existing panel. To install the unit we cut a large round hole in our StarBoard® panel and then secured the unit with four supplied screws.

We had to build a NMEA 2000 backbone to connect the control head to our GPS. We used wiring supplied with the autopilot and powered the backbone from our main electronics bus bar. In our opinion, this was easy and straightforward.

We found component installation easy and straightforward. If you can do a little planning and layout, drill a few holes, make basic wire connections, and use a wrench on some hydraulic hoses you can do this install.

We accomplished initial testing on the Garmin GHP 10 at the dock by following a simple menu. Once you confirm your engine turns the commanded direction and the tachometer feed works right you’re ready to hit the water.

Before you can start using the autopilot you’ll need to follow another menu to do the initial at-sea setup. We followed it step by step through various throttle settings and turns with no problem. Total time was about 10 minutes.

garmin ghc10 heading hold mode

In heading hold with the pilot engaged. The desired course is the yellow bug and the boat heading is the blue triangle. You change the desired heading with the softkeys below arrows. The red standby key disengages the autopilot.

Next we gave the Garmin GHP10 a quick test to see how it followed a course. Even though the wind was blowing hard we found a bay with relatively calm seas for our initial testing.

We were impressed with our first test run as the autopilot tracked nice and straight holding course well.

To dodge an object in the water you simply turn the wheel as needed. The Shadow Drive™ momentarily disconnects the autopilot and gives you control.

When you’re clear you return to your original course and in a few seconds the autopilot takes control again automatically. We found it to be a very nice feature.

On our next gear test outing we paired up with another boat and left for a multi-day fishing trip out to the west of Key West. Here we used the Garmin GHP 10 more in a variety of sea conditions including winds in excess of 25 knots and seas over 5 feet. Even under those conditions the pilot tracked very well, though not perfectly straight it did well in the rough and tumble sea conditions.

Slow Speed Operation

Several weeks later, at the request of a reader, we did some additional slow speed testing with the Garmin GHP10. Normally our Contender idles along at about 3.5 knots, at this speed the autopilot held heading rock steady in the calm test conditions.

Next we added some drag with by throwing several 5-gallon buckets that were tied to transom into the water. This slowed us to about 1.9 knots, still the autopilot held steady on course.

Finally, we went into a channel with a bit of current, kept the buckets deployed, and trimmed the engine up several degrees?all this got the GPS speed down to 1.0 knot. Still the autopilot held the heading steady under the relatively calm conditions.

So far we have been pretty impressed with Garmin GHP10 capabilities. We?ll try this slow speed handling again soon in some rougher conditions and report back.

To navigate to a waypoint or along a route requires the GHP10 be able to receive information from a GPS unit. We decided to hook up to the Garmin 5212 we have on our test boat via a NMEA 2000 network.

Once the wiring was complete we tried to couple the autopilot to the GPS, however we were unable to do so initially because the software in our 5212 needed to be updated from version 2.5 to the latest version 4.6.

Garmin sent us a card, which once inserted, allowed us to accomplish the software update in under 10 minutes. With the GPS units updated, and after turning everything off then back on again, the GPS and autopilot were talking.

garmin ghc10 gps steering mode

In GPS steering mode with the pilot engaged. In the lower right corner of the display you’ll see the off-course distance. When this number exceeds 100 feet the purple road swings the appropriate direction and turns yellow to warn you. The remaining distance to the waypoint is displayed in a box above the road.

We could now see the appropriate menu selections on the GHC10 autopilot control head to navigate using GPS input.

To test things out we first setup a waypoint about a mile away and engaged the Garmin GHP10 in the GPS steering mode.

This requires selecting the menu, then choosing GPS steering, and finally choosing to navigate to a waypoint. Not really the easiest procedure for engagement.

Hopefully in a future software update Garmin will add a GPS softkey on the front page and enable one-button navigation.

Once engaged in GPS steering mode the autopilot tracked a course to the waypoint. We noticed that as we ran the boat drifted off-course up to several hundred feet. The off-course distance was indicated both on the 5212 display and on the GHC10 controller.

As the boat approached within several hundred feet of the waypoint position the autopilot would turn toward the waypoint ending up passing within 10 feet of the coordinates. This happened on several passes.

Garmin suggested we redo the north setting (part of the Garmin GHP10 setup procedure) since when it was originally accomplished the GPS unit and autopilot were not communicating. We will do this soon and report back here on the results.

The Fix is In

After more consultation with Garmin representatives it was determined that the autopilot software needed another update. With the navigation system using software version 4.6 and the autopilot using version 2.2 the 5212 would report a cross-track error to the right while the autopilot reported the same amount of error except to the left. This caused the navigational issues we noted.

Now with the autopilot running the latest software available, version 2.4, all the navigation issues with staying on course have been solved. We tried running routes with multiple turns, changing speeds, and starting out pointed in the opposite direction; nothing seemed to phase the system. Right now things are running smoothly with rock solid course tracking.

Long Haul Review

We just returned from a 620 nautical mile round trip to the Bahamas and had to report on the outstanding performance of the Garmin GHP10 autopilot. We had the unit on and following a track or route for most of the trip and found it held the boat right on course even in heavy chop and big following seas. Our crew was impressed and very happy they didn’t have to steer manually for hours a day.

What Does the Future Hold?

The only navigational issue we could see now with the Garmin GHP10 was when following a route. You’ll find the pilot will pass the turn point before it starts to track to the next waypoint. This allows some cross-track error to develop after the turn.

The Garmin folks hinted that future software updates will have more advanced algorithms that will allow the autopilot to start a turn in a route before the vessel arrives at the turn point and more closely follow the track line. We look forward to trying this one.

Simrad AP12H

The Simrad AP12H autopilot package comes with a course computer, control head, compass, hydraulic pump, and linear feedback unit.

simrad ap12h autopilot components

Basic Operation

Operation of the Simrad AP12H is fairly simple. With the unit turned on, the Stby/Auto LED will blink, indicating the autopilot is ready to go to work.

Pressing the Stby/Auto button engages the autopilot in a course-hold mode and turns the LED on steady. Whatever course you’re steering when you select the Stby/Auto button is the course the autopilot will hold.

To change course one-degree, push the port or starboard arrow button once; you’ll get a single beep and a single flash on the associated LED to confirm the command. Hold either button down and you’ll get a 10 or more degree course change. The longer you hold the button, the more the course changes. Each 10 degrees of course change is confirmed by a double beep and double LED flash.

Tracking a Course

The Simrad AP12H is also capable of navigating to a waypoint when GPS data is available. To engage the navigation mode, first select Stby/Auto then Nav. Both associated LEDs will turn on steady to indicate lock on.

Gain can be adjusted in any mode: One push of the Gain button will flash the Gain LED from one to nine times, corresponding to the amount of gain currently selected. To increase gain, press the starboard arrow; to decrease, press the port arrow.

We found the default gain setting of five to work well for us over a wide range of operating conditions. In seas less than 3 feet, the autopilot tracks a straight course nicely, both in the navigation mode and the course-hold mode. Occasionally gain adjustments are needed as conditions change.

The arrow buttons are active in all modes and serve as a ‘dodge’ feature. This lets you maneuver around an obstacle close ahead without disconnecting the autopilot. One caution, we tested the dodge function at various gain settings and found the turns to be quite aggressive at high-gain settings. At our preferred gain setting of five, a dodge turn is smooth and effective.

Something Broke

About 18 months into our evaluation, the autopilot failed to engage when selected. After conferring with Simrad support, we were able to diagnose the problem as a failed linear feedback unit. It’s a long cylindrical part that attaches to the hydraulic steering cylinder on the engine. Our guess is that the constant exposure to salt water led to an early demise. We don’t think this should have happened in such a short time and in our opinion, this part needs to be reengineered for a longer service life.

Warranty Issues

Our warranty claim for the new feedback unit did not go well. Once we confirmed the problem, Simrad asked us for the autopilot serial number to determine if it was still under warranty. The company said it was not and advised us a replacement part would cost almost $400. This seemed expensive for a single piece of a $1,400 autopilot system. So once we got over the shock of the repair cost, we began to research the situation and discovered that our unit should still be within the 2-year warranty based on our purchase date.

Simrad calculates the warranty date by adding three months to the time the unit is shipped to a retailer. In our case, the retailer actually had the unit in stock far longer. We dug out our receipt and made a copy. Simrad required it before it would honor the warranty claim. With proof in hand, Simrad agreed to ship us the part but not without making us jump through one more hoop. We had to pony up the money for the part and then wait for Simrad to credit us.

It’s Noisy

Another big issue with the Simrad AP12H is a noisy hydraulic pump. We installed the Simrad autopilot’s pump about 18 inches below our helm station and through-bolted it to the center console’s aft bulkhead. That puts it about shin high to the driver and totally contained inside the center console location that made accessing and connecting to the existing steering lines easy.

At slow speeds, the pump is loud enough to interfere with conversation and always draws comments from passengers. Even at cruising speed, the pump can be heard.

Simrad’s Phil Roberts explained why the pump is so loud. “The pump noise is related to how it pumps. This one is a piston type. We do not manufacture it. Our other autopilots use meshing gears which tend to be quieter” says Mr. Roberts.

The Simrad AP12H Autopilot performed well over the course of two years, but the noisy pump is a definite drawback. We were also disappointed in the early failure of the feedback unit and complex warranty procedure.

When we bought the Simrad AP12H, it was the least expensive autopilot we could find. Today it remains an inexpensive small boat autopilot priced around $1,400 at a variety of online marine electronics retailers.

Raymarine S1000

Raymarine loaned us the Raymarine S1000 autopilot for long-term testing aboard our 25′ single-engine Contender. This Raymarine autopilot is designed for boats up to 25′ long equipped with hydraulic steering so our Contender fit the bill perfectly.

Three components make up the S1000 autopilot package, the wireless Raymarine S100 controller, the course computer, and the hydraulic pump. There is no rudder interface unit or rate gyro required for operation of this autopilot system.

The Raymarine S1000 is one of just a few small-boat autopilots currently on the market that does not need a rudder interface to function properly.

Operating the Raymarine S1000 is simple. First, power is switched on to the course computer and pump, then a press of the standby pushbutton on the S100 controller turns it on and establishes the wireless connection the course computer. The system runs through an initialization process and checks for a minimum boat speed of at least three knots.

Two main modes of operation are available for enroute navigation. Auto mode is basic heading hold, while track uses data from the GPS to steer a course to a waypoint.

Three other modes, zigzag, circle, and clover can be used to maneuver around the area near one of your fishing spots.

The right or left arrow buttons produce course changes as needed. A single press will change the selected course by one degree. Holding an arrow key down will cause the autopilot to execute a controlled turn in the direction selected.

Navigating to a waypoint or along a route is the most useful aspect of any autopilot’s operation. The S1000 accomplishes this task through its Track mode. Navigational information is provided to the autopilot via a hardwired NMEA 0183 link to the Garmin 5212 navigation system.

With the autopilot on and in standby, our standard procedure for initiating Track mode was to turn on course, select Pilot, wait for the autopilot to display an acceptance message, then hit the Pilot pushbutton again to complete engagement. The S1000 autopilot does a very good job of tracking a course to a waypoint using this technique both in calm and rough seas.

After over 18-months of service aboard our test boat this Raymarine autopilot is operating like it was still new. The only thing we have had to do is change the pair of AAA batteries that supply power for the Raymarine S100 controller. We have had no mechanical problems with any system component. This Raymarine autopilot carries a two-year warranty.

The S1000 is an inexpensive utilitarian autopilot that does a very good job handling steering duties. It will track a course or go to a single waypoint or steer the heading of your choice. In our opinion, this autopilot is a great asset for any small boat helmsman.

Coursemaster CM80i

Coursemaster Hydrive loaned us the Coursemaster CM80i autopilot for a year-long review as part of our continuing program of testing and rating small boat marine autopilots.

Four components make up the standard Coursemaster CM80i autopilot system: the control/display head, junction box, hydraulic pump/drive, and a fluxgate compass. Another optional component, which was included with our test system, is a rate gyro.

coursemaster cm80i control head

Coursemaster CM80i Control Head

According to Coursemaster literature, adding this unit smoothes the ride by counteracting acceleration effects caused by excessive vessel movement.

The Coursemaster CM80i is one of just a few small boat autopilots currently on the market that do not need a rudder interface to function properly.

Another benefit of not needing a rudder interface unit is the adaptability of the pilot. Though it was designed primarily for hydraulically steered outboard powered boats between 18 and 32 feet, it can be used on boats equipped with stern drives, straight inboards, or even sailboats.

Operating the CM80i is easy. Once power is supplied to the system by pressing the Stby button, a self-test is performed. When complete, the display window in the control head will read ‘Stby,’ the current course is shown in a large type size, and the selected course is displayed in smaller size. Pressing the Pilot button once engages the autopilot in a course-hold mode and changes the annunciation to read ‘Pilot’. The selected course becomes whatever your current course was when you hit the button.

Press the right or left arrow buttons to change course without disconnecting the autopilot. A single press will change the selected course by one degree. Holding an arrow key down will change course in 10-degree increments continuously. All course changes selected will be displayed as they are entered to allow the operator to accurately monitor turn progress.

Navigating to waypoints or along routes is a very useful aspect in any autopilot’s operation and the CM80i accomplishes this task through its Auto-Navigation mode. On our test boat, the GPS receiver was coupled to the autopilot. This allowed us to use and test the navigation feature thoroughly and completely.

Our standard procedure for initiating Navigation mode was to turn on course, select Pilot (course-hold) mode, then hold the Pilot button for two beeps until ‘Nav’ is annunciated on the control head’s display window. The autopilot did very well holding a course to a waypoint using this technique both in calm and rough seas.

While in Nav mode, the arrow keys are disabled. Unfortunately the unit does not have a built-in ‘dodge’ function. To avoid an obstruction close ahead while operating in Nav, requires the helmsmen to press the Pilot button once, disengaging Nav, then maneuver using the arrow buttons as needed. To recapture the Nav course, either maneuver back on course manually with the arrow buttons or simply hold down the Pilot button until Nav re-engages. Both methods work.

Unlike some other autopilots, the Coursemaster CM80i does not have multi-level gain control; instead the unit has a normal or rough water mode of operation. We’ve found the normal mode worked well on our Contender under all conditions.

After 1-year of operation aboard our test boat the Coursemaster CM80i autopilot has proven to be totally reliable. We have had no mechanical problems with any system component.

The Coursemaster CM80i is a no-frills marine autopilot that does a good job handling steering duties. It will track a course or go to a waypoint. Both of these tasks are performed well. Two additional upsides we’ve found with this system are extremely quiet operation and its lack of rudder-interface hardware.

This autopilot is significantly more expensive than other autopilots we’ve tested. We’ve found it on the web priced at $2995. It carries a 1-year warranty.

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Best sailing autopilot?

  • Thread starter Radio Flyer
  • Start date Apr 24, 2023
  • Forums for All Owners
  • Cruising Sailors

Radio Flyer

I've had sailboats with both Raymarine and Garmin chart plotters. Despite networking the instruments, I find their ability to hold a wind position weak at best. I wonder about the experience of other sailors with Simrad, B&G, or other brands. Which is most successful holding to the wind? As an aside, how well do the systems estimate arrival time. Theoretically there is a fair bit of math behind speed, distance to travel, tacking angle, and arrival time. The Raymarine was pretty fair at determining the arrival time at angle of attack. That value informed me on how much headway to give. Just looking for experienced opinions.  

jviss

That's like asking what the best sailboat is. LOL I have used Simrad and it has work fine for me. It interface on NMEA (yeah, old, I know, but works) and as long as I have a route programed on my (old) Garmin GPS12, I get to where I want to go.  

rgranger

Brian D said: That's like asking what the best sailboat is. LOL Click to expand

kappykaplan

kappykaplan

rgranger said: That's easy... its the one you own. Click to expand

BarryL

Hey, The best autopilots by far are below deck units. These are the only pilots suitable for bigger boats (over 10K displacement). They work very well, but are also very expensive. For smaller boats, the only really affordable AP are wheel pilots, and the Raymarine is the most popular. I had a Raymarine EVO 100 wheel pilot on my last boat, a C&C 110. The pilot was undersized but worked great while motoring and OK upwind or reaching in moderate conditions. it worked poorly downwind ( too slow to make the large rudder corrections). My current boat came with a Raymarine hydraulic below deck pilot. I have B&G instruments (wind, depth, speed) and the H5000 computer. My boat does a pretty good job of steering to a wind angle. It also does a decent job of driving downwind. I do need to be careful to have the sails balanced. If not, the AP will give an 'overcurrent error' and shut off on me. Barry  

Helpful

BarryL said: The best autopilots by far are below deck units. Click to expand
jviss said: But B&G is one division of Navico, which owns Simrad and Lowrance as well. SImrad seems to address the powerboat market, Lowrance the fishing market, and B&G the sailing market. My B&G Zeus2 MFD system has lots of cool sailing features, including racing features. Click to expand
BarryL said: If not, the AP will give an 'overcurrent error' and shut off on me. Click to expand
dlochner said: Not anymore. B&G is now part of the Novice Group that includes Simrad, Lawrence, Mastervolt, Marinco, Blue Seas, C-Map and a bunch more companies all owned by the Brunswick the proud sponsor of the American Bowling Association tournament. Click to expand
jviss said: I believe you mistyped saying "Novice Group," Click to expand
jviss said: but they haven't changed the structure of Navico that I know of. Click to expand

www.brunswick.com

Brunswick Corporation Establishes Navico Group – the marine industry’s leading supplier of integrated systems and products

www.brunswick.com

jviss said: I think B&G is the best sailing AP, 'though I confess I've had issues with sailing to the wind. I think it's that I haven't dug into it and programmed it correctly. But B&G is one division of Navico, which owns Simrad and Lowrance as well. SImrad seems to address the powerboat market, Lowrance the fishing market, and B&G the sailing market. My B&G Zeus2 MFD system has lots of cool sailing features, including racing features. Click to expand
dlochner said: I spelled Navico, correctly, auto correct had a different idea. Brunswick Corporation Establishes Navico Group – the marine industry’s leading supplier of integrated systems and products Corporate communications, press releases and news from Brunswick and its family of 60+ marine recreation and technology brands, plus presentations and events. www.brunswick.com Click to expand
dlochner said: With each new generation of AP computers, course holding becomes better. It also depends on the data being provided to the AP computer. The current crop of B&G AP computers rely heavily on the a very precise compas, the Precision 9. In addition to point towards north it provide heel, rotation rate, yaw, pitch and who knows what other data. This all allows for the more precise calculations and direction to be fed to the drive unit. Below decks APs are generally faster and more responsive than Wheel APs and have more advanced computers driving them. Not anymore. B&G is now part of the Novice Group that includes Simrad, Lawrence, Mastervolt, Marinco, Blue Seas, C-Map and a bunch more companies all owned by the Brunswick the proud sponsor of the American Bowling Association tournament. B&G has the most experience with displaying sailing data on an MFD. Historically, B&G has been the leader when it comes to sailing instrumentation. Raymarine and Garmin are late comers to the game. There is a reason B&G dominates in the big boat professional sailing market. Ok, so Brunswick also owns AMF which built Sunfishes and they do have other boating related brands. I just remember the bowling tournaments from the 60s and Brunswick being the sponsor. Click to expand
Radio Flyer said: The parent companies worry me a bit. I understand economies of scale, but sometime the clueless at the top don't help products. An example would be Harley Davidson- the AMF years. Still the B&G recommendation seems the most solid. It would be nice in a rougher sea to entrust the AP for part time help. Then I can coach the green colored sailors a bit more. Click to expand
dlochner said: I spoke with a regional manager for B&G last fall about the acquisition. He felt it was a good move as the prior owner was a capital management fund. He felt the brand would be able to do more innovation and product development. Sort of back to the old days of the brand. The new Navico group has a number of reputable brands under its umbrella. Click to expand

Project_Mayhem

1682383351790.png

Project_Mayhem said: Perhaps the best autopilot is a well trained crew? What if I owned this? View attachment 214995 Click to expand

Captain Larry-DH

Captain Larry-DH

I had very good results sailing to wind vane angles using Raymarine EV200 course computer with Raymarine below decks Type 2 rotary drive. I’m in the process of installing a Type 2 short linear drive, and expect similar results. I think the key is to select “performance sailboat” in your AP settings. It improves response time (and uses more average power).  

Captain Larry-DH said: I had very good results sailing to wind vane angles using Raymarine EV200 course computer with Raymarine below decks Type 2 rotary drive. I’m in the process of installing a Type 2 short linear drive, and expect similar results. I think the key is to select “performance sailboat” in your AP settings. It greatly improves response time (and uses more average power). Click to expand
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A safety group graded 14 driver-assistance systems. Tesla's self-driving option was the worst.

  • Automated driving systems are lacking in the safety department, according to a new report.
  • Tesla's Full Self Driving system earned the worst marks, but most of the 14 systems tested poorly.
  • Some say that autonomous and assisted driving systems are responsible for fatal crashes.

Insider Today

You may want to think twice before flipping on your autonomous driving system on the highway.

The vast majority of partial driving automation systems — which generally include cruise control, cooperative steering, and obstacle monitoring — earned dismal ratings in a series of tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an independent safety inspector.

"Some drivers may feel that partial automation makes long drives easier, but there is little evidence it makes driving safer," said agency president David Harkey in a statement . "As many high-profile crashes have illustrated, it can introduce new risks when systems lack the appropriate safeguards."

The agency tested 14 systems, 11 of which received a "poor" overall safety rating. Among those 11 were Tesla's Autopilot — the EV maker's more traditional highway system — and its "Full Self Driving" system, which works on city and suburban streets.

The tests found that "Full Self Driving" — a feature that, as of last month, was available in beta to about 400,000 Tesla drivers — was the most unsafe, with only two categories rated "acceptable" and none rated "good."

The system performed inadequately in driver monitoring — i.e. detecting when drivers take their hands off the wheel — and in adaptive cruise control, which tested whether cruise control remained active while the driver's attention was off the road.

That's despite Tesla's in-cabin camera , which is supposed to make sure drivers are paying attention on the road.

Related stories

Tesla also earned "poor" marks in how it handles cooperative steering — how easy it is to steer away from obstacles or potholes without disengaging the system — and disengaging safety features.

Tesla did not immediately return a request for comment before publication.

Last year, the company recalled over 2 million vehicles due to similar concerns over Autopilot , stemming from an ongoing investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The tests in the safety report were conducted before the recall, CNN reported .

Multiple lawsuits against Tesla claim that Autopilot is responsible for various crashes , some of them fatal.

Despite the controversy surrounding its automated driving features, Tesla was far from the only automaker to receive a dismal safety score.

Automated driving systems from Ford, Genesis, and Mercedes-Benz also received "poor" ratings. Two systems, from Nissan and General Motors, received a "marginal" rating, while Lexus's Teammate system (available in the 2022-24 LS) was the sole "acceptable" system.

The agency did not assign any system a "good" overall safety score.

A Genesis spokesman said the company was "aware" of its rating and pointed to the company's record as "among the leaders" in Insurance Institute safety designations. He added that Genesis will introduce an in-cabin camera to its upcoming models.

A spokeswoman for Ford described the automaker's Blue Cruise technology as a "highly effective driver monitoring system," adding that "while we do not agree with IIHS's findings, we will take their feedback into consideration as we continue to evaluate future updates."

The other companies did not immediately return requests for comment before publication.

Despite the safety concerns, self-driving cars are becoming more of a reality. Earlier this month, California regulators approved Waymo, a self-driving taxi agency, to expand its operations in Los Angeles and San Francisco .

Waymo, owned by Google parent Alphabet, claims that data shows its vehicles are statistically safer than human drivers .

Watch: Why Tesla's Model 3 received top crash-test safety ratings

sailboat autopilot review

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COMMENTS

  1. 7 Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

    The Garmin Ghc 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control is your best sailboat autopilot for these types of adventure. This amazing autopilot is designed with a 4-inch display that can improve your nighttime readability. This display is glass-bonded and comes with an anti-glare lens that is essential in preventing fog and glare in sunny conditions.

  2. Autopilot Buyers Guide for sailing yachts

    The ACU-100 (£420) is for smaller sailing yachts using the EV-100 tiller or wheel pilot. The ACU-200 (£845) is for any vessel with one of the company's Type 1 drive units. It can supply up to 7A of power to the drive unit and suits most boats up to 11,000kg laden displacement.

  3. Best Autopilot For Sailboats of 2024

    Quick Answer - The Best Autopilot For Sailboats. Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot. View at Amazon. Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot. View at Amazon. Raymarine M81131 12 Volt Type 2 Autopilot Linear Drive. View at Amazon. Garmin GHC 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control. View at Amazon.

  4. How new-age sailing autopilot systems are putting computers at the helm

    The NAC-3 Autopilot Computer is the basic model in the company's Triton range that's designed for boats over 33ft (10m). It takes inputs from the RF25 rudder angle sensor and Precision 9 ...

  5. Modern Sailboat Autopilots

    Autopilot drives are typically designed to work up to a certain weight, and it's important to both performance and safety that this is properly matched as this in turn will dictate the system's power requirements. Most sailboat-friendly autopilots draw between 2 and 7.5 amps, depending on the size of the CPU required by the system.

  6. 6 Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

    Top Best Marine Binoculars. 6 Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems and How to Choose: 1. Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot 2.Raymarine Pilot EV-400 Autopilot 3.B&G (Simrad) NAC-3 Core Pack.

  7. Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

    Raymarine EV-100 p70 Wheel Pilot Pack Tech Specs Pros Cons 4. Garmin GHC 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control Tech Specs Pros Cons 5. Furuno NavPilot 711C Tech Specs Pros Cons. ‍ 1. Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot. Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot. The Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot has been around for a while.

  8. Best Sailboat Autopilot

    Overall, we were highly impressed with the Reactor 20, but keep in mind that it's pricey. This is the Best Sailboat Autopilot for most users. Garmin 010-00705-94 Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot with GHC 20 Control/Display. Specially designed for boats with small gasoline...

  9. Selecting an Autopilot

    Sailboats: To choose a cockpit-mounted sail autopilot, select a tiller pilot (like Simrad's TP-10, TP-22 or TP-32 or Raymarine's EV-100 Tiller) or wheel pilot that matches your boat's displacement, following a conservative approach of moving up a size when in doubt, and adding 20% to the boat's displacement for typical cruising gear.

  10. "Best & Brightest" New Autopilots

    As the newest member of the award-winning Evolution autopilot line, the Raymarine EV150 Hydraulic Autopilot System is engineered specifically to meet the needs of small- to medium-sized hydraulically steered vessels with a steering ram capacity between 4.9 cu. in. (80 cc) and 14 cu in. (230 cc). The system is for 12-volt DC electrical systems only.

  11. How to get the most from your boat autopilot

    If the gain is set too low the boat will take too long to return to the desired course. On the other hand, if gain is too high, the boat will overshoot and yaw each side of the set course. This was a common problem with early pilots where gain was often the only parameter that could be adjusted. 2. Counter Gain.

  12. Marine Electronics Journal's Top Autopilots for 2021

    Raymarine Evolution EV150. As the newest member of the award-winning Evolution autopilot line, the Raymarine EV150 Hydraulic Autopilot System is engineered specifically to meet the needs of small- to medium-sized hydraulically steered vessels with a steering ram capacity between 4.9 cu. in. (80 cc) and 14 cu in. (230 cc).

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    List updated on March 26, 2023. 1. Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot. Buy on Amazon. The Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot is a compact autopilot system perfect for powerboats. Ideal for hydraulically steered systems, it provides relief from manually holding the wheel, particularly at moderate to high speeds.

  14. Raymarine Evolution Autopilot

    As part of the refurbishment of my boat's creaking electronics, I replaced my old ST 2000+ tiller pilot for the new Raymarine Evolution pilot system. Straight out of the box, there's a huge difference between the old ST 2000 and the Raymarine Evolution. Whereas the brains and the controls for the old unit all lived in the chunky, grey ...

  15. Pelagic Autopilot review

    The Pelagic Autopilot has a simple interface with 3 buttons and 6 leds. It features 9 solid state sensors feeling heading/roll/yaw/pitch and a "brain" in its control head. The solution is independent of all instruments and can be used as redundancy autopilot. It is modular and its control head can work with actuators from other manufacturers.

  16. What's the best autopilot kit for a transatlantic?

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  17. How to Use a B&G Autopilot system

    The change of course is set in Setup>Sailing>Tack Angle>80 degrees. The rate of turn can be controlled in the "Tack Time" parameter: Setup>Sailing>Tack Time>8 sec. Tacking in Wind Mode (Either ...

  18. Choosing An Autopilot, Part 2: What's Right for Your Boat?

    Select a drive unit compatible with your boat's steering system. Choose a rudder feedback unit. (Not needed on some systems with sensors) Select the autopilot computer that matches your drive unit. Choose how you want to control your autopilot system — select a dedicated controller or a multifunction display with full autopilot integration.

  19. Raymarine Evolution Autopilots

    Which Raymarine Evolution Autopilot Will Work Best For My Boat? The Evolution EV-100 series is installed in the cockpit of tiller and wheel steered yachts and smaller power boats.. The Raymarine Evolution inboard range, (EV-200, EV-300 and EV-400) are designed to suit specific vessel types, steering systems and vessel displacements.The following table will help you select the proper Raymarine ...

  20. Raymarine EV-100 autopilot review

    Next we need to consider boat size. The Raymarine Ev-100 autopilot is recommended for boats up to 16,500 lbs (we sneak by at 13,500 lbs). If you want a wheel pilot and are much beyond this weight, you should probably consider the CPT autopilot instead. The CPT can generate 85 ft-lbs of torque, while the Raymarine EV-100 generates 22 ft-lbs, so ...

  21. The 4 Best Autopilots For Small Boats

    There are a number of top small boat autopilot systems to choose from with each designed with its own unique strengths. The best autopilots for small boats are: Best For Small Motorboats: Garmin Compact Reactor40 Autopilot. Best For Small Sailboats: Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot Pack. Best For Both Inboard & Outboard Boats: Furuno Navpilot 711C.

  22. Best Marine Autopilots

    Best Marine Autopilots - Unbiased Reviews. We've run the new Garmin GHP10, Raymarine S1000, Simrad AP12H, and Coursemaster CM80i marine autopilots through their paces aboard our 25′ Contender test boat. A small boat autopilot is one piece of marine electronics we don't know what we'd do without. It is simply a joy to have one of these ...

  23. Best sailing autopilot?

    Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA. Apr 24, 2023. #2. I think B&G is the best sailing AP, 'though I confess I've had issues with sailing to the wind. I think it's that I haven't dug into it and programmed it correctly. But B&G is one division of Navico, which owns Simrad and Lowrance as well.

  24. Tesla Autopilot Isn't Safe. Most Assisted Driving Systems Aren't Either

    Among those 11 were Tesla's Autopilot — the EV maker's more traditional highway system — and its "Full Self Driving" system, which works on city and suburban streets.

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    Ultra-light, but at a cost. And then of course there's the carbon fiber frame, which, along with the modest battery and motor specs helps to reduce the weight of the bike to a mere 28 pounds!