R-23 w/Yamaha outboard and Autopilot ?

[baz]

Subject: R-23 w/Yamaha outboard and Autopilot ?

I'm considering the Autopilot option for the R-23 w/outboard. For R-23 owners with this option can you say how well it operates etc... both +ive and -ive aspects ?

For example...

1) If you configure a rectangular course with the start and end way points to coincide does the autopilot return you to the starting point after having followed the configured course ?

2) Also, when the Autopilot performs the turns for 1) does it make the turns 'gracefully' or are they kind of abrupt.

3) If you were to purposely go off course during 1) as the autopilot is navigating the way points how well does it return to the configured/desired course ? Does it use the rhumb line process to return to the designated course ? That is, does the autopilot computes a rhumb line (or loxodrome) and navigates this line to get back on course. This rhumb line is shown on the Autopilot's display panel as a wide brown line as I recall when using autopilot on my previous R-25.

Thank you. 🙂

 

[Champ]

I use mine with the G2 vision card. Put in a destination and it does all the figuring for you. Works great. Glad I went with it.

 

[baz]

I also understand the R-23's autopilot comes with a 'shadow drive' which on my R-25 with autopilot was a very useful safe feature to have.

 

[knotflying]

Baz, I think the function of the autopilot is related more to the autopilot itself and the settings for responsiveness. Granted if the engine is undersized it may have difficulty performing to the settings. In my opinion the engine is appropriately sized and the autopilot will respond just as it does with the inboards. But there is nothing like first hand experience. 😀

 

[baz]

Mike: There's really nothing comparable to hearing back from R-23/ob owners who have used the Autopilot. I would expect and hope the R-23/ob with Autopilot to perform similarly to the other RT inboard models.

 

[knotflying]

Agreed. I am sure you will hear favorable responses. Let's see