pearlwindham
Veteran Member
I'm at the Seattle canal boat yard and need some fiberglass work anyone recommended glassman. Ran into a steel bridge left autopilot on and as we went under the bridge auto took us hard starboard and bounced off piling 
Ran into bridge
- Thread starter pearlwindham
- Start date
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Heron
Guru
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- Heron (2)
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- '88 Cape Dory 28 Flybridge #115
I'm at the Seattle canal boat yard and need some fiberglass work anyone recommended glassman. Ran into a steel bridge left autopilot on and as we went under the bridge auto took us hard starboard and bounced off piling
Metal bridges and Autopilots do not co-exist well......
Why I don't let the computer talk to the autopilot in close quarters.
It will decide to correct cross track error by making an abrupt turn to reclaim that 30ft (or whatever limit it is set for) without warning you first.
It will decide to correct cross track error by making an abrupt turn to reclaim that 30ft (or whatever limit it is set for) without warning you first.
Ski in NC
Technical Guru
Yep, no AP when going under bridges. I watch the heading sensor readout and seen it swing 30deg under a steel bridge. Concrete bridges usually just a few deg. That thing about magnetics...
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- Pau Hana
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- 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
I'm at the Seattle canal boat yard and need some fiberglass work anyone recommended glassman. Ran into a steel bridge left autopilot on and as we went under the bridge auto took us hard starboard and bounced off piling
Pacific Fiberglass is a great shop to work with.
DHeckrotte
Guru
A friend of mine used to take his Black Watch 28 through Woods Hole, MA, on autopilot. Some of you may know that there are two channels through the Hole, with lots of tide and large rocks right in the middle. Eye opening for me, but he never took his eyes off the situation. (He was a private pilot, an expert long distance glider pilot and a thoracic surgeon.)
pearlwindham
Veteran Member
markpierce
Master and Commander
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Have found swirling currents caused by bridge piers to be more than a bother than any magnetism affecting the autopilot. Regardless, constant attention is needed.
markpierce
Master and Commander
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- penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
We've plenty of low bridges, even lower than these:
BruceK
Moderator Emeritus
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Even without autopilot passing under bridges can be interesting. Often located at a narrow between 2 land masses, the tide flow can be concentrated/accelerated.One time the boat flicked sideways unexpectedly, a throttle blast regained control, ever since when going under the Brooklyn Railway Bridge I have one hand on the throttle levers. Autopilot would be too risky.
78puget-trawler
Guru
A pilot is only as good as the guy watching it.
