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OVERVIEW OF AUTOPILOT OPERATION
The rudder control and deadband control must be set properly for the CPT to hold heading. Tack angles are
approximate and will vary from boat to boat based on the magnetic environment and deadband setting, you
will have to see which angle works best for your boat.
A. Setting Rudder and Deadband controls
The Rudder dial should be set high enough so that when the boat falls off it is brought back to heading with
just one or two “pulses” or wheel corrections. If the pilot makes repeated pulses or wheel corrections in one
direction the rudder control is set too low; the setting needs to be raised. If the pilot oversteers, lower the
setting a bit. High rudder settings provide larger rudder corrections, low rudder settings provide smaller
rudder corrections. The boat must be balanced and respond to the rudder in a consistent manner, as the
rudder dial sets the rudder response for one consistent response.
Start with the Deadband dial (dead range) set to minimum, especially when first using the pilot. If the pilot is
making port and starboard corrections too frequently, or reacting to swell, gradually raise the deadband setting
so that corrections are made when needed but are not constant. Low
deadband settings provides more sensitivity to heading changes, high
deadband settings provide less sensitivity when in swells and seas. A
deadband of 5 allows the boat to range approximately ±10° to port or
starboard.
The CPT's performance can be improved by careful tuning but continously
adjusting the controls is not necessary. Once you find the rudder and
deadband settings that work best for your boat, you'll use the same settings
most of the time.
B. Magnetic Headings
The CPT keeps a vessel pointing to a magnetic heading; this is not the same
as a GPS course. In keeping to a compass heading, your vessel will point the
same direction but still be subject to drift from wind and currents. This drift
will be apparent when observing your GPS over time, and periodic heading
adjustments will easily keep the vessel on your waypoint course.
AUTOPILOT CONTROLS
Autopilot Steering
1. Disengage clutch, flip toggle to Standby. Turn power on with Rudder control. Allow one minute to warmup.
2. Hold boat on heading for at least 30 seconds. Engage clutch. Flip toggle switch to Hold Heading
.
3. Adjust Rudder and Deadband controls to suit conditions
Hand Steering
1. Flip toggle switch to Standby.
2. Relieve pressure from wheel and disengage clutch (grasp the black disk on clutch and pull outward ¼")
Hold Heading / Standby Toggle
After a 1 minute warm up, flipping the switch to Hold Heading sets the pilot to the boat’s heading.
GPS
Course
Waypoint
Waypoint
Direction of current
Compass
Course
