4.0 SEA TRIALS
Initial sea trials should be carried out in calm
conditions with plenty Of sea room. The previously
conducted functional test will have
that
the autopilot
operating correctly and that
are familiar with all of its controls.
Check that the gain control on the course
computer is
set, and set the rudder
control on all control units to mid position.
Initial sea trials on
planing vessels should
be conducted at no more than half engine speed
under which conditions the recommended
midway setting of the rudder control should
provide stable steering performance.
Mid-way setting of the rudder control will also
give acceptable steering performance in sailing
and displacement power vessels under all
conditions for initial trial purposes. Fine setting of
the rudder control is discussed later.
4.1 FIRST SEA TRIALS
During first sea trials, the vessel will be constantly
changing heading, and it is, therefore, very
important to maintain a constant look-out. The
following initial trial procedure is
l
Steer on to a compass heading and hold the
course steady.
Press ‘Auto’ to lock on to the current
heading. In calm sea conditions a perfectly
constant heading will be maintained.
Alter course to port or starboard in multiple
increments of 1 and 10 degrees from any
control unit. Course changes should be
prompt and without any sign of
overshooting.
If a hand held control unit is fitted key
‘Manual’ to change over to remote power
steering. Practice power steering using the
four course control keys.
Press ‘Auto’ twice (within 2 seconds) to
return to the original automatic heading.
Press ‘Stand by’ to disengage the autopilot
for return to hand steering.
Automatic Sea State Control
During the sea trial, the operation of the automatic
sea state control can be observed. When the
autopilot is initially engaged in ‘Auto’ mode the
autopilot will respond to all pitch and roll
movements. During the first minute of operation, it
will be noticed that repetitive movements of the
vessel are gradually neglected until finally the
autopilot will respond only to true variations in
course.
To ensure precise course adjustments the
sea state control is automatically reset
whenever a course change is selected.
Automatic Trim Control
The
6000
corrects for
Weather helm indicated by wind loads on hull or
sails. No adjustment of the pilot is necessary.
After each course change the Automatic
Trim is cancelled and the
6000 will
reestablish the correct trim for the new
heading. This process takes approximately one
second per degree of course change. It should
be noted that if a large course change is keyed
in (greater than 60”) the pilot will not assume
the final selected
course
immediately. The
vessel will come to within say 10” of the desired
course and will only settle onto course when
the Automatic Trim has been fully established.
is recommended the following procedure
is adopted for large course changes.
Note required new heading
l
Select ‘Stand-by’ and steer manually
Bring vessel onto new heading
Select Auto and let vessel settle onto course
l
Bring to final course with
increments
It is sound seamanship to make major
course changes only whilst steering manually.
In this way any obstructions or other vessels
may be cleared properly and due account
taken of the changed wind and sea conditions
on the new heading prior to engaging the pilot.
System
In the case of a sailing yacht fitted with a
system the following additional trial is
recommended.
Steer onto a constant heading approximately
free of close hauled.
Press both red keys together to engage ‘Vane’
mode and allow the automatic wind angle
heading to settle.
Decrease the relative apparent wind angle in
increments using the
key (if on the
starboard tack) until the yacht is sailing close
hauled at optimum penetration.
Prepare to tack and then press the
and
‘-1’ keys together to initiate a tack.
The yacht will go about and sail the same
apparent wind angle on the opposite tack. If
there is an observable difference in apparent
wind angles on opposite tacks, this can be
corrected by fine adjustment of the
head alignment.
‘Stand-by’ to disengage the autopilot
and return to hand steering.
