Following Bill Biewenga's general review of autopilot development last month, in Part II manufacturers describe their own particular paths to improve the products supplied to this year's Vendée Globe fleet

NKE
NKE's Gyropilot remains the only autopilot with a built-in Gyrometer inside the pilot computer. By measuring the speed of rotation in the horizontal plane, the gyrometer enables the pilot to detect the error generated by the inertia of the compass or the windvane (in wind mode), and reacts accordingly to avoid 'laces' across the ocean, once common when sea conditions became bad.

The current Gyropilot 2 also offers many other specific functions:

WIND DAMPING: The Gyropilot gives the possibility of setting compass adjustment time from 0.5s to 128s, allowing finer steering when conditions require it. It also offers more security in demanding conditions, when you need to adjust over a longer period to avoid abrupt movements. This function has proved valuable in many major races.

COUNTER RUDDER: This parameter takes into account the boat inertia during course changes, generating sufficient movement to bring the boat back on the right course.

SPEED INPUT: The Gyropilot takes into account boatspeed supplied by the Topline Bus to determine the necessary rudder angle to apply. The higher the speed the less rudder is necessary.

Finally, the...   

SEE SEAHORSE JANUARY 2001 FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS ARTICLE