Читать книгу SELF-STEERING UNDER SAIL - Peter Foerthmann - Страница 17

Optimising the vessel with respect to the above points can considerably reduce average power consumption. Once this has been done, the only remaining measure is to reduce the frequency of course corrections. This amounts in practice to increasing the angle by which the boat may deviate from the set course before the autopilot responds, in other words allowing the boat a greater range of movement between active steering interventions.

All modern autopilots are programmed to recognise certain regular patterns of yawing. This helps them shorten their operating cycle and reduce the length of time for which the motor is running. It also enables them promptly to correct the course early on in a recurrent motion, so avoiding more vigorous rudder movements later on. Unfortunately we have now reached the end of the list of power saving measures.

The manufacturers base their average power consumption figures on a 25% operating cycle. This assumes in terms of actual autopilot running time that per hour the boat is actively steered for 15 minutes and holds itself on course with no action at all from the helm for the other 45 minutes. These figures may seem just a little optimistic; actual power consumption, therefore, will often be higher.

Fitting out for an extended voyage really brings home the gulf between the theory and practice of power consumption. Energy management is essential here since all the power consumed on board must first be generated on board. The difference between the manufacturers’ rated average power consumption and the actual autopilot motor running time can be enormous; real situations are never ‘average’ and the actual power consumption is always higher. A boat equipped with just a depth sounder, a handheld GPS, paraffin cabin lights, a windvane steering system and without an ice box - that is to say one whose power consumption is reduced to the minimum - will hardly ever run its batteries close to exhaustion. This boat does not, however, bear much resemblance to the average passage yacht. The ARC fleet which passes through the Canaries every Autumn shows a clear trend: in the last 10 years alone the average length of participating yachts has grown to around 44 feet while the number of sub-33 footers has dwindled to barely a handful. The boats are generally equipped to a very high standard as well, with most carrying navigation instruments such as GPS, plotters and radar, short wave, SSB and VHF radios, refrigerator, pumps, water maker and interior and exterior lights.

Combining the 24 hour average power consumption of each of these appliances for a 44 foot boat in warmer latitudes gives a total of 120 ampere-hours (Ah) - even without an electric autopilot running. This example clearly illustrates the care needed in budgeting for energy aboard a sailing yacht. The impact of an autopilot on this energy budget is very substantial, particularly if the system has been chosen for its high performance rather than low power consumption. There are whole books devoted solely to the subject of energy management on board: pay too little heed to this complex issue before you cast off and you can count on a nasty reminder somewhere out at sea.

Navigating on deck with AUTOHELM

The manufacturer’s recommended autopilot for our exemplary 44 foot boat draws between 2.7 and 6 A per hour, which means that if run continuously it will push up the vessel’s total power consumption by at least another 50% over a 24 hour period. We should also bear in mind here that some units in the vessel’s electrical system will fail if the voltage falls below 10.5 V. Against this background a seemingly large battery capacity of 600 Ah begins to look less impressive.

Wind, water, wave and solar generators can help but depending on the conditions even these are no guarantee against a few hours of enforced motoring every day (as well-known circumnavigator and race organiser Jimmy Cornell confirmed after debriefing skippers at the end of his EUROPA 92 race). Whenever one of the additional generators malfunctions or fails, increased engine running time inevitably results. Without good sound-proofing, the iron sail can rapidly become an unwelcome intrusion into life aboard. The extra heat from the engine is often a bonus as well, just right to ease the afternoon chill in Bermuda...

Energy matters are of course less critical on boats used mainly for weekends and holidays since this kind of sailing normally involves plenty of motoring and shore power is always at hand for recharging.