Using Your Autopilot

Note: The use of an external autopilot with BoatCruiser, Sailcruiser or NavCruiser PRO is meant as a navigational aid. Please consult the autopilot documentation with regards to the proper method to engage, disengage the autopilot using an external navigator, use in different sea conditions and for proper use in emergencies.

Setting Up And Configuring Autopilot

The instructions of the autopilot contain information on connecting a NMEA navigator with the Autopilot. The Autopilot documentation should be followed before this documentation. To connect the autopilot to the program running on a laptop or personal computer a separate RS-232 to NMEA-0183 converter is required. This converter will allow the data coming out of the PC to be converted to proper NMEA-0183 data. Please contact the autopilot manufacturer or local autopilot retailer for more information regarding this product.

Use the Device Finding Wizard or advanced Device options to setup the autopilot. The device settings menu can be accessed by clicking on the Devices option from the Tools menu from the menubar as shown below:

Clicking on the Devices option from the Tools menu yields the advanced Devices options where various autopilot settings can be changed.

Note: Please consult with the autopilot vendor manual before changing or selecting any of these options.

 

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Using The Program With Your Autopilot

Follow these steps to use the program as a NMEA-0183 navigator in conjunction with the autopilot:

• When ready to use the autopilot interface of the program, configure the Autopilot Settings and click on the connect button.
  
• Plan a Route that is to be followed. At this point, the boat direction and speed should be as outlined in the requirements for the autopilot. For example, some autopilots have the requirement that the current heading is within 5 degrees of the required heading to follow parallel to the line between the waypoints.

• At this point, right click on the waypoint that the autopilot would navigate from. This will bring up the Route Context Menu. Select the Activate Waypoint option. The waypoint that is being navigated towards will then have a red circle around it signifying the target waypoint. When the boat enters this circle, the program will begin navigation to the next waypoint in the route.

• The program can be stopped from acting as a Navigator at any time. Simply right-click on any waypoint in the active route. This will bring up the Context Menu. Select the Deactivate Route option to stop the program from acting as a Navigator in conjunction with the autopilot attached.