The Offshore Voyaging Reference Site

Chart Plotters And Autopilots, Never The Twain Should Meet

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On Morgan’s Cloud we don’t hand steer much: approaching and leaving a wharf, anchoring and hauling the anchor, transiting an intricate channel, or in the presence of a lot of other boat traffic; that’s about it. We find that by using our autopilot we are left with more time and focus to navigate, keep a good lookout, and sail the boat. We also find that having a plotter has the same benefits.

But we don’t have the two electronic wonders interfaced to allow the plotter to instruct the autopilot on what course it should steer; we do that manually. Here’s why:


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Chris

There is no electronic or electro-mechanic technology that frees one from the responsibilities of command.

It is entirely possible to do irresponsible things with and without technology.

Therefore, interfacing competently designed, and manufactured equipment is no more or less risky—provided—one adjusts one’s command behaviors to the situation.

We use our interfaced system as a an extra, but not able-bodied, hand. We don’t treat the autopilot as officer of the deck, that is us.

We are, however, routinely nearly rundown by power and sail boats that code in a string of way-points and then go off to do who knows what perhaps with the presumption god is their pilot.

If there is a problem with any of these technologies it stems from the enabling of the in-able. A competent sailor should be able to interface with confidence and not to when conditions make it inappropriate.

David Nutt

On Danza we do have our GPS and autopilot linked and it has worked well for us in the last 50,000 miles of sailing. Like John and Phyllis we let the autopilot do 90% of the steering but we cold and shivering humans do 100% of the watch standing. This includes monitoring the track on the computer screen, the heading, the course steered and all the little bits and pieces of data obtained from this and everything else that consumes life at sea. Assumption is the mother of all screw-ups.

Robert in Norway

I have never had either a plotter or a pilot on any of my boats and never will. Paper charts and a Monitor vane cover all my needs and are fail proof. These boxes are expensive toys and dangerous when used by newbies. The pilot is an especially unnecessary bit of kit and having it onboard implies large batteries, charging systems and complexities involving the steering of the boat. If your boat is motoring in a calm, some one should be on the helm. The expense of of these toys does not help to make cruising “attainable”.

Scott Kuhner

Robert, did you know that you can set up your Monitor so that a small tiller pilot like the Raymarine 1000 will drive the wind vane? We use this method when we are sailing along a coast and want to steer a compass course, not a wind course.

Victor Raymond

John,
As an aircraft pilot flying single pilot, we almost have to have the autopilot on and our navigation system driving the AP. They don’t call them Flight Management Systems for nothing. But there is a fairly large red button on the yoke of every modern aircraft that is FAA required to disconnect the AP just in case.
Boats on the other hand are very slow moving vessels for the most part. I agree with you and have never felt the need or the comfort in having the AP steered by the chart plotter route. In addition I have multiple redundancy with electronic charts available on my iPad, Garmin 496 and sometimes my trusty old MacBook. I have found different charts have slightly different information and I can compare them with what the eyes are seeing. While I do think having and using an AP is like having another trusted and faithful crew member, I do think having and using a wind vane system is a good idea too. It is on my list for the next boat.

Scott Kuhner

John,
Great article. Thought you would laugh at a recent incident we experienced re chart plotters.

Tamure is at a dock in Jupiter Fl; but, we recently drove to Ft Lauderdale to have dinner with Steve and Karen James (whose boat is in the Med), David Bridges (who has sailed his Valiant 40, Blue Yonder across the Pacific) and his girl friend Marty, and Pam Wall, who has also sailed around the world with her late husband and their kids. While we were at the dinner table, Steve mentioned something about a new chart plotter and suggested I get one. I said that I don’t use one and don’t need it. “But”, he said, “The one I am talking about is only $600 and that includes all the charts of the US east coast.” I said, “Steve, we have sailed around the world twice, once with only a sextant, and the second time with a Sat Nav that would give me a position once every six hours or so. I am very vigilant in my navigation and besides, there have been more cruisers who have gone aground using a chart plotter than in the days when there was only the sextant. I do not need one!” Steve then came back with, “Scott, you should have one because they are very useful especially in situations where visibility is limited and where you aren’t sure where to go.” I said firmly, “Steve, I don’t want one! I am a very competent navigator and I don’t need one!” With that David reached into his pocket and pulled out his I-phone. He pushed a couple of buttons and showed it to Steve, who immediately broke out laughing. Then he pointed the I-phone at me and there was a picture David had taken of Tow Boat US pulling us off the sand bar at the entrance to Adams Creek. Touché!!