An marine autopilot (or pilot) is a mechanical, electrical or hydraulic system which can maintain a vessel on a predetermined course without the need for human intervention. Using a direct or indirect connection with a vessel's steering mechanism, the autopilot relieves the crew from the task of manually steering the yacht. On sailing boats certain types of autopilot can be programmed to maintain a course defined at a pre-set angle to the wind.
The most basic autopilots are simply linked to an electronic compass and are set to maintain a fixed compass course. More sophisticated units incorporate processors which contain advanced software algorithms as well as an integral compass to combine position and navigation data from the GPS chartplotter with wind, speed and depth data from the instrument system. The result is smooth control of the boat's rudder providing accurate steering performance in all sea conditions.
Once the yacht's direction has been programmed into a chartplotter or set by the helmsman, the autopilot can take over and guide the yacht between waypoints or other preset markers. Corrections to the autopilot's course can be made via the controls on the main unit, while a remote control hand-held unit enables the yachtsman to monitor the autopilot if necessary from anywhere on board. As in aviation, the human hand can override the autopilot at the touch of a button and take over the steering once more.
An autopilot enables the helmsman to take a break from steering his boat in order to rest or undertake other duties. It can also enable the crew to direct the yacht from anywhere on board using a hand-held control unit. Single handed sailors and short handed crews in particular find that autopilots are an essential piece of equipment.
Please read more about Simrad Autopilots