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Chapter 6: Commissioning the Autopilot 73
6 Commissioning the Autopilot
• when gain and counter rudder are both set correctly, the boat
performs a smooth continuous turn with minimal overshoot
• if the counter rudder is too low, the boat will still overshoot
• if counter rudder is too high, the boat will ‘fight’ the turn and
make a series of short, sharp turns: this results in a very
‘mechanical’ feel as the boat changes course
To adjust the counter rudder:
1. Access the
COUNT RUD screen in Dealer Calibration.
2. Use the
-1 or +1 keys to adjust the counter rudder.
3. Press and hold
standby for 2 seconds to save the changes.
4. Press
auto to check the autopilot performance in Auto mode.
The pilot is now calibrated and ready for use.
Further adjustments (Type 150/400 and Type 100/300)
Over time you may need to repeat these adjustments over a range of
sea conditions and headings to achieve good overall performance.
You may also need to adjust the AutoTrim setting. AutoTrim
determines how quickly the autopilot applies ‘standing helm’ to
correct for trim changes (caused, for example, by changes in the
wind load on the sails or superstructure, or an imbalance of engines).
Gain experience with your autopilot before attempting to adjust the
AutoTrim setting. On sail boats you can only evaluate the effect of
AutoTrim while under sail.
Increasing the AutoTrim level reduces the time the autopilot takes to
get back onto the correct course, but makes the boat less stable:
• if the autopilot gives unstable course keeping and the boat
‘snakes’ around the desired course, decrease the AutoTrim level
• if the autopilot hangs off course for excessive periods of time,
increase the AutoTrim level
If you need to adjust AutoTrim, go up one level at a time and use the
lowest acceptable value. The possible settings range from
OFF (no
trim correction) to
4 (fastest trim correction). To adjust the AutoTrim:
1. Access the
AUTOTRIM screen in Dealer Calibration.
2. Use the
-1 or +1 keys to adjust the AutoTrim level.
3. Press and hold
standby for 2 seconds to save the changes.
4. Press
auto to check the autopilot performance in Auto mode.