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How Garmin Marine Autopilots Help When Your Boat Is Rolling in Rough Water
As most boat owners can tell you, nothing beats the feeling of being out on the water and being immersed in the beauty nature has to offer. However, most of them can also tell you that steering a boat is no walk in the park, especially in rough waters.
After all, keeping your vessel on a steady course can already be exhausting and strenuous on still waters, so maintaining control over your boat in rough waters can be near-impossible.
Fortunately, there are now autopilot systems for marine vessels that are fit for any boat size, whether they’re big speed boats or small sailboats. In fact, some of the best autopilot systems for boats nowadays come from Garmin, a company dedicated to providing the best technologies for those with active lifestyles.
With that said, check out this comprehensive guide to the best marine autopilot in 2021, the Garmin Marine Autopilot.
What Is A Marine Autopilot System?
Before delving deeper into how a Garmin marine autopilot system can help you and your boat when it’s rolling in rough waters, let’s first discuss what a marine autopilot system is.
Simply put, marine autopilots are devices designed to help you steer your boat, keeping it on a steady course to your destination. In addition, they are self-steering, which means that you don’t really have to keep a close eye on them.
A marine autopilot can be helpful if you lack an onboard crew because you can simply leave the steering to the system and attend to the other matters yourself.
Marine autopilots also steer more accurately, so they offer other benefits as well, such as getting you to your destination more quickly and saving fuel costs due to enhanced efficiency. Autopilot systems are also excellent if you’re steering on rough waters.
This is because many of them come with an auto-trim feature, allowing them to gauge when to trim up or down in rough water.
Of course, not all systems are created equally or offer the same performance, which is why it’s crucial to get one from a trusted brand like Garmin.
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Why Choose Garmin Autopilots for Your Boat
Garmin is one of the leading names in the industry when it comes to providing innovative technologies for those leading active lifestyles.
Of course, this includes providing marine equipment for those who love to sail, including fully functional marine autopilots. Garmin offers an extensive range of marine autopilot systems to their clients. Moreover, each one is designed to meet specific needs and fit different boat sizes.
For example, a Garmin Compact Reactor 40 Hydraulic Marine Autopilot is designed to steer boats that are less than 30 feet long. Meanwhile, a Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot can handle sailboats and powerboats. They even offer autopilot for twin outboards.
Nevertheless, regardless of which autopilot system you choose, Garmin’s autopilot systems can help hold your boat’s course, allowing everyone on board to enjoy a smoother and more comfortable ride. This holds true even when your boat is already pitching or rolling in rough water.
Garmin marine autopilot installation is also easy enough and offers a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to install one wherever you deem best.
How Garmin Marine Autopilots Help in Rough Water
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As you know, marine autopilots help steer the boat on your behalf, freeing up your hands to work on other parts of your boat. Although you won’t really need to keep a close eye on this system, they work similarly to car cruise control.
They are sophisticated navigational systems that help you get to your destination quicker and much more efficiently. However, they’re not complete replacements for actual pilots, and not all models are designed to handle rough seas.
Fortunately, Garmin strived to address this issue by coming up with their GHP Reactor™ marine autopilot series.
Garmin’s Nine-Axis Attitude Heading Reference System
Garmin’s autopilot systems from this series include a unique solid-state nine-axis Attitude Heading Reference System that allows them to stay on course, regardless of the current conditions.
An AHRS is a navigational system that effectively serves as a motion sensor using an IMU or inertial measurement unit to help vessels get to their destination.
While it’s often used for unmanned aerial vehicles, Garmin integrates it into their autopilot systems to provide better navigational control.
It also reduces course deviation and minimizes errors and rudder movement. Combined with a network-compatible GPS system, Garmin’s marine autopilots can help you keep on course, even if your boat is rolling in rough waters.
So, if you’re looking for the best marine autopilot in 2021, Garmin is an excellent option to consider. However, make sure you’re buying only from trusted providers, such as Marine Tech Miami.
Not only do they offer a wide range of marine equipment, ranging from marine autopilots to marine stereos, but they also offer Garmin marine autopilot installation and Garmin autopilot troubleshooting services.
Frequently Asked Questions
So, now you know how an autopilot Garmin marine system can help you in rough waters, let’s check out some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the topic.
- How do you handle a boat with rough water?
The best way to handle a boat in rough water is to adjust your boat’s speed according to the current water conditions.
This means slowing down and using more caution, all while making sure that your vessel’s bow doesn’t become buried in a wave. Autopilot systems with auto-trim features can help make doing so more manageable.
- How do you cut a boat in choppy water?
There are really no clear-cut rules when it comes to trimming a boat, but the general rule is to lower the trim tabs when bringing the bow down while navigating choppy waters.
This can be done by using the trim tab switch located at the helm. It may be challenging to determine this if you’re a novice, but it will become easier as you gain more experience.
- What is the best boat for rough water?
Regarding the best boat for rough water, it’s highly recommended that you go with a boat with a displacement hull. Some examples of vessels with this type of hull are canoes and sailboats.
Boats with this type of hull are ideal because they can displace water while moving, allowing them to remain more stable even when navigating through rough waters.
- How much is a marine autopilot?
When it comes to the cost, marine autopilots are definitely an investment. Buying one from one of the top brands in the industry like Garmin can cost anywhere from 2000 USD to more than 6000 USD.
However, they are undoubtedly worth your while as they can make steering and navigation a lot easier and more manageable.
Final Thoughts
Marine autopilots are undoubtedly helpful for any boat enthusiast because not only do they make steering more manageable, but they also do so more efficiently. With an autopilot system on your boat, you can minimize errors and course deviations as you get to your destination.
Additionally, autopilot systems can also help you steer better in rough water, allowing you to navigate more efficiently even in harsh conditions. Again, however, it’s best to get a system from a trusted brand like Garmin.
Garmin’s marine autopilots are well-equipped to provide you and your passengers with a smoother and more comfortable ride, even in harsh water conditions.
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