ComNav P4 - Page 121

ComNav P4 Installation and Operation Getting Started
Document PN 29010100 V1r0 - 121 -
Some suggestions and points to keep in mind:
 Typically, you will find that you will only need to make small changes to the
“calm condition” steering parameters already set, to handle a wide variety of
sea conditions.
 Observe the wake of the boat while maintaining a straight Course in AUTO
mode. This is one of the best indications of how well the autopilot is steering.
 The vessel should come on to each new Course Heading smoothly. Any
undershoot or overshoot can usually be observed in the wake. Adjustments to
Rudder Gain and Counter Rudder, as in the tests mentioned previously, are how
you achieve “smooth.”
 Generally speaking, the Rudder Gain and Counter Rudder settings for Hi speed
will be less than those for Lo speed.
 As the seas get rougher, you will probably need to increase the Rudder Gain 1 or
2 steps.
 In very rough conditions, you may want to reduce the Counter Rudder setting, as
well as increasing the Rudder Gain.
 In quartering seas, you may wish to increase Rudder Gain and the Seastate
settings. This will allow the boat to yaw a bit more as it comes off of the waves, but
typically the boat will come back onto course with minimal rudder movement.
 In the tests above, you will have determined the Turn Rate value which
corresponds to the full “comfortable turn rate” of your boat.
 You do not need to leave the Turn Rate always set to that value, however. You
can, and should, change the Turn Rate as required, to have safe, comfortable
turning rates for the current sea conditions. You may also want to lower the Turn
Rate for other reasons.
Once the autopilot system is steering satisfactorily, make a note of all your steering
parameter settings, and manually record them in the Settings chapter, at the back of this
manual.