Collection: Autopilot

Are you looking to buy an autopilot for your sailboat or motorboat and need help?
Waypoint-GPS carries autopilot systems from leading brands such as B&G, Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine, and Simrad. We are happy to help you choose a yacht autopilot. Simply contact us!

The marine autopilot is a system that assists you with navigation. There are various autopilots for yachts.

How does an autopilot work on boats?
An autopilot on yachts takes over steering along a fixed course, a predefined route (waypoint list), or, for sailboats and yachts, by wind (wind vane steering). They ensure that the course is maintained, regardless of speed and sea conditions.

How do autopilot controls differ?

• Tiller steering: an electric push rod mechanically acts on the tiller
• Wheel steering: an electrically driven timing belt turns the steering wheel
• Pushrod steering: the electric or hydraulic pushrod is attached to the rudder quadrant
• Hydraulic steering: a hydraulic pump moves a hydraulic cylinder with oil pressure, which moves the rudder quadrant
• Wind vane steering: The autopilot reacts to wind and boat turns and steers the rudder drive. There are electronic drives (connected to the wind vane at the masthead) and mechanical wind vane steering systems, which are mounted at the stern of the boat.

How do you choose the autopilot for your boat?
Simply put, you can choose the autopilot based on the following three steps:

• What type of control is needed? (Tiller pilot, wheel pilot, hydraulic steering, pushrod steering)
• How heavy is the boat (required rudder torque)?
• Determining the appropriate course computer and drive control unit (operating display)