I have a auto nav autopilot . it is run by hydraulic actuators fed to turn on by the computer. with a regulator to increase or decrease hyd flow .
the auto pilot is great up to 12 knts. at cruise speed 16 knts it likes to hunt.
the pilot has all kinds of adjustments. and they are currently all set at a bare minimum. and it still serpentines back and forth. if you increase the settings , regulator ect it only hunts faster. usually 10 degrees left right
the reason seems to be the size of the rudder. the boat is a 42 ft x 13'-6 with a 5 ft draft, northumberland straights style hull, the rudder is 3 ft deep, the slightest turn of the rudder really moves the boat to left or right.
now to my question, does anyone run a different pilot, and are you able to maintain a constant straight course over 15 knts. or is this just a normal issue with a downeast style hull. slightest turn of the rudder moves the bow to quickly. for the pilot to compensate.
the auto pilot is great up to 12 knts. at cruise speed 16 knts it likes to hunt.
the pilot has all kinds of adjustments. and they are currently all set at a bare minimum. and it still serpentines back and forth. if you increase the settings , regulator ect it only hunts faster. usually 10 degrees left right
the reason seems to be the size of the rudder. the boat is a 42 ft x 13'-6 with a 5 ft draft, northumberland straights style hull, the rudder is 3 ft deep, the slightest turn of the rudder really moves the boat to left or right.
now to my question, does anyone run a different pilot, and are you able to maintain a constant straight course over 15 knts. or is this just a normal issue with a downeast style hull. slightest turn of the rudder moves the bow to quickly. for the pilot to compensate.