a question: autopilots on small boats?

hey guys, i am just wondering could a auto pilot be fitted to a Hartley 21?

 

Sure, but remember the power drain. FWIW, for small sailing boats going long distances, which is why you would consider an autopilot, suppling the power is going to take up a lot of space, even if it is just batteries and solar panels. Generally, small boats respond well to windvanes and sheet-to-tiller set-ups

 

what does FWIW mean?

 

IIRC, For What Its Worth.

 

Welcome to the forum.

You can install an auto pilot on anything, though as mentioned, power supply will be an issue (always is). Consider self steering with sheet routing or a windvane as a no power alternative. These are easy to rig and very effective.

 

alright what does iirc mean lol

 

If I Recall Correctly.

FWIW I used a tillerpilot continuously (24 hours/day) for an 8 day passage on a Coronet 20 (similarish size and displacement to your Hartley), with a 17 A/hr battery and a 5 watt solar panel. I had a considerbaly larger battery as a reserve, but didn't need it. If you stay aware of helm pressures the current drain on the sort of boat you're referring to should be quite manageable. I kept the main a little more free and the boat a little more upright than usual and was amazed at how low the current draw was.

Having said all that, I'd much prefer a windvane, particularly when hard on the wind.

 

"If I Recall Correctly"

Or as I prefer;

"Ignominious International Race of Champions"

 

I know a lot of trailer sailers here use the small raymarine tiller pilot.

 

Sorry, a holdover habit from Unix, military TLAs, and 2400 baud BBS txt.

http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php

 

thanks for the info