Powerboat Autopilot Operation
Steering Patterns
WARNING
You are responsible for the safe operation of your boat. Do not begin a pattern until you are certain the water is
clear of obstacles.
The autopilot can steer the boat in preset patterns for fishing, and it can perform other specialty maneuvers
such as U-turns and Williamson turns.
Where noted, some pattern steering is based on GPS, and cannot be used without a GPS antenna or device
connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the helm control.
Following the U-Turn Pattern
You can use the u-turn pattern to turn the boat around 180 degrees and maintain the new heading.
1 From the autopilot screen, select > Pattern Steering > U-Turn.
2 Select Engage Port or Engage Starboard.
Setting Up and Following the Circles Pattern
You can use the circles pattern to steer the boat in a continuous circle, in a specified direction, and at a
specified time interval.
1 From the autopilot screen, select > Pattern Steering > Circles.
2 If necessary, select Time, and select a time for the autopilot to steer one complete circle.
3 Select Engage Port or Engage Starboard.
Setting Up and Following the Zigzag Pattern
You can use the zigzag pattern to steer the boat from port to starboard and back, over a specified time and
angle, across your present heading.
1 From the autopilot screen, select > Pattern Steering > Zigzag.
2 If necessary, select Amplitude, and select a degree.
3 If necessary, select Period, and select a length of time.
4 Select Engage Zigzag.
Following the Williamson Turn Pattern
You can use the Williamson turn pattern to steer the boat around with the intent of running alongside the
location where the Williamson turn pattern was initiated. The Williamson turn pattern can be used in man
overboard situations.
1 From the autopilot screen, select > Pattern Steering > Williamson Turn.
2 Select Engage Port or Engage Starboard.
Following an Orbit Pattern
Before you can use this steering pattern, the helm control must be connected to the same NMEA 2000 network
as a compatible Garmin
®
chartplotter and a GPS source.
You can use the orbit pattern to steer the boat in a continuous circle around the active waypoint. The size of the
circle is defined by your distance from the active waypoint when you begin the orbit pattern.
See the owner's manual for your Garmin chartplotter for more information about setting and using waypoints.
1 From the autopilot screen, select > Pattern Steering > Orbit.
2 Select Engage Port or Engage Starboard.
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Powerboat Autopilot Operation
