Why a Trawler

As a longtime owner of a single engine boat who likes to go long distances, I am keenly interested in alternative propulsion. I've seen the occasional puff piece on kites. They do not appear practical for my purposes. If I wanted to cross an ocean as have other Willard 36s, I would fit a mast and sails similar to a diesel duck.

GlennR said:

... they have autopilot on them so it's not like I'd have to keep a constant watch.

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Yes, you must keep a constant watch.


-Chris

ranger42c said:

Yes, you must keep a constant watch.


-Chris

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I guess I misunderstood what an autopilot is for. When you're out on the open waters can't you just set it for a heading and it will steer the boat?

GlennR said:

I guess I misunderstood what an autopilot is for. When you're out on the open waters can't you just set it for a heading and it will steer the boat?

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Yes. But you still have to keep watch, even though you're not steering. Autopilot just reduces your workload so you can do a longer shift at the helm without getting tired and so you're more free to manage navigating, operating radar if necessary, etc.

GlennR said:

I guess I misunderstood what an autopilot is for. When you're out on the open waters can't you just set it for a heading and it will steer the boat?

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Yes, definitely misunderstood. AP has two general modes. Steer a course - say 90-degrees (due east). Problem with that although the boat is steering 90-degrees , wind and waves may push the boat off course forcing it to crab to 80 or 100 degrees true course.

The second mode is steer to waypoint, often as part of a longer route. In this mode the AP will compensate for current or wind and always aim towards the waypoint.

Steer to waypoint is obviously more reliable. So why not set and forget? Cross traffic is possible (not all vessels have VHF), you should have someone man the VHF as good practice, not unheard of for a chart plotter to freeze and just let the AP keep chugging along, effective in heading mode, on long legs the leg itself hasn't been zoomed in for obstructions, watch should look, listen, and smell for any unusual activities on the boat, and a few other reasons.

Bottom line. AP is an incredible useful tool. More or less fills the shoes of a crew on board. A couple can crew a boat with an AP. Without it, hand steering means three would be minimum. But it doesn't alleviate need for a watch

Peter