Raymarine autopilot control unit - Manual (Page 27)

10 ST7000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner’s Handbook
Off Course Alarm
The off course alarm will sound if the locked autopilot heading and the
vessel’s current heading differ for more than 20 seconds, by more than
the alarm angle set in calibration (the factory default is 20°).
D4229-1
1. To cancel the off course alarm, press standby to return to hand
steering.
2. Check whether your vessel is carrying too much sail, or whether
the sails are badly balanced. Significant improvements in course
keeping can usually be obtained by improving sail balance.
Operating Hints
Making Major Course Changes
• It is sound seamanship to make major course changes only when
steering manually.
• Manual course changes ensure that obstructions or other vessels can
be cleared properly, and due account taken of the changed wind and
sea conditions on the new heading prior to engaging the autopilot.
Course Changes Under Autopilot Control
It is important to understand the effect of sudden trim changes on
steering performance. When a sudden trim change occurs, due, for
example, to weather helm or sail imbalance, there will be a delay
before the automatic trim applies rudder to restore the locked heading.
This correction can take up to one minute.
Large course changes which change the apparent wind direction can
produce large trim changes. In these situations, the autopilot will not
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