[Petepd]

I have a 2005 Sea Ray 390 motor Yacht. I have asked various people this question, and received conflicting responses. When the auto pilot is engaged, is it OK to spin the wheel quickly in order to avoid crab pots and the like? Obviously turning it slowly does nothing, but I find spinning the wheel quickly gets me around the obstacles, then back on course. will this hurt anything?

Thanks in advance for any response.

[K1W1]

Hi,

If your steering is hydraulic all you are doing is over powering the Autopilot and it then brings you back and settles down. There will be relief valves in the circuit to limit total pressure.

If your steering is totally mechanical ( Chains and or cables) I would say it is only a matter of time till you bust something that is not easy to fix in a hurry as you are careering shoreward.

The above answers are given based on my general knowledge of steering systems but I have no personal experience on the model of boat you mention.

[Capt J]

The steering override is only for emergency purposes. If you use it often, you will destroy your rudder feedback indicator and/or autopilot pump. Both of which are expensive. I'd recommend going to standby or using the dodge/turn button on your autopilot to steer around lobster buoys and such.

[wolfsong]

any good autopilot should have a emergency over-ride.. at least the ones that i installed have it. if you move your steeringwheel , while in automatic, the pilot should go into standby.

all new pilots installed with axius and zeuss system have this override as well.. you turn your wheel, change throttle position or move your joystick, the autopilot will go in standby..

[Capt. Bill11]

Originally Posted by Capt J

The steering override is only for emergency purposes. If you use it often, you will destroy your rudder feedback indicator and/or autopilot pump. Both of which are expensive. I'd recommend going to standby or using the dodge/turn button on your autopilot to steer around lobster buoys and such.

I don't know, I've been doing that for years and never had a problem with a feedback unit or pump.

I've asked techs about it and none of them has seen a problem with doing it once in a while.

[Capt J]

Originally Posted by Capt. Bill11

I don't know, I've been doing that for years and never had a problem with a feedback unit or pump.

I've asked techs about it and none of them has seen a problem with doing it once in a while.

Yeah, it's ok to do it once in a while. I wouldn't recommend it on a daily basis or multiple times a day by any means.

[Capt. Bill11]

Originally Posted by Capt J

Yeah, it's ok to do it once in a while. I wouldn't recommend it on a daily basis or multiple times a day by any means.

Perhaps. But it would be interesting to hear what the manufacturers have to say about it.

Can you say for sure you've seen a pump or feedback unit fail from doing this?

Just curious.