Suspending/Resuming Garmin Autopilot

[baz]

My post is concerned with the technique others employ to resume Autopilot navigation after having placed the Autopilot in "Stand by" mode.

When running with autopilot engaged and needing to take manual control to navigate around some object such as another boat in your way, weeds, floating log, avoiding collision situation with another boat, it's possible that after navigating around this object or situation the autopilot typically needs to be re-engaged. Now when wanting to re-engage the autopilot in most cases the boat will be 100s of feet off course and the boat's heading not aligned with the autopilots original course heading.

So what do others do to get back on course and engage the autopilot ?

I've found that simply re-engaging the autopilot the boat will dramatically and severely change course to get back on course. This in my opinion can be quite dangerous especially if care has not been taken to look around the boat to see if other objects have appeared etc. I've come to the conclusion I do not like the way the autopilot navigates back to the original course. Instead, my method is to use the chart plotter's calculated course display to steer the boat manually back to the original course even if it means a few extra minutes of my undivided attention. Once back on course to say within 20-30 feet and heading in correct direction I then re-engage the autopilot. This technique ensures my boat does not make the sudden and severe course correction when re-engaging the autopilot and gives me time to look about to make sure I'm not endangering my boat or other boats.

So, again I ask, what do others do when re-engaging the autopilot after having to place it in Stand-by mode to navigate around some situation as I mentioned above ?

 

[JamesTXSD]

Two options to eliminate the "fast turn" to get back to your track:

Use the heading mode instead of the waypoint to waypoint, and just adjust the heading by a few degrees at a time to get back where you want to be. I rarely use the autopilot to go to a waypoint, preferring the heading mode.

Instead of resuming, press the "go to" and head to the waypoint from where you are. Unless you are in a narrow channel, this will work fine.

If you don't like either of the above, hand steer to get back on your course, get the boat headed in the right direction, then resume.

I think I posted this on another thread recently, but I am not a big fan of putting in an entire route and having the autopilot drive the route. When close to waypoints (daymarks, buoys, etc), there is often more traffic, and the nav-aid itself, to avoid. Depending on the autopilot, some will make a dramatic turn at a waypoint. I prefer using the heading mode and simply making adjustments by a couple degrees at a time.

 

[CaptMac]

I have to check the Garmin manual, but with the Raymarine system, you just hit "restart cross track" first - then course resumes from where you are, and doesn't go back to the original. I use it all the time...

Mac

 

[baz]

I talked with the Garmin rep at the Bremerton Ranger TugFest. Here's what I learned.

1. If after using Stand-by to navigate manually and wanting to re-engage the autopilot AND you are within 1000 feet of the calculated course the autopilot will change course severely to get the boat back on course.

2. If above 1) is the situation BUT you are over 1000 feet off-course then when re-engaging the autopilot the boat will be brought back on course in a stepped fashion and will be a more graceful return to the calculated course.

3. Alternatively -- when wanting to resume the original course end point after Stand-by then use the Menu button to have the system re-calculate the course. This will then plot a new course to follow using the boats CURRENT position. This technique requires one more screen button presses compared to re-engaging the original course.

Also, the latest Autopilot software addresses a problem when the rudder hits its port/starboard stops. The older software got a twist in its knickers dealing with the HIGH electrical current when the end stops (hard over) were encountered. Garmin person says this was an end condition that many people would unlikely encounter -- but it was nice to know the new software was installed for this on my boat. 😀