Posts: 215
Threads: 94
Joined: Oct 2018
Reputation:
1
Home Port: ludington michigan
Vessel Info: 2003 4200 open qsm 11 660hp
seen a few boats that were stored in winter time, alot of charter captains have rudder extensions so there autopilot tracks better in rough seas, any pros or cons to this?? when going at a very slow speed (2mph) and into the waves the auto pilot does not hold its heading, think this is the solution?? any drawbacks to this?? have been told by more than one person that my boat has small rudders compared to other boats the same size, thanks.
Posts: 702
Threads: 14
Joined: Dec 2010
Reputation:
11
Home Port: Kings Park, NY
Vessel Info: 2003 38' Open Cummin's 6CTA's (450 hp)
I own a 2003 38 Open w/450 Diamond Cummins and troll Long Island Sound with no rudder extensions and the boat tracks well on autopilot... I even run at times on a single engine w/autopilot and have not experienced a problem maintaining heading although the seas are only 1-2 ft w/currents... I've seen several posts relating to increasing rudder size but I'm not a fan of that.... Suggest you review the autopilot system gains to see if they are set correctly.. M2C
