Using The Smartpilot With Sail Boats; Using Wind Vane Mode; What Is Wind Vane Mode; Selecting Wind Vane Mode - Raymarine ST70 User Reference Manual

Chapter 3: Operating instructions

3.7 Using the SmartPilot with sail boats

Using Wind Vane mode

You can only select Wind Vane mode if the SmartPilot is receiving suitable SeaTalk
or NMEA wind direction information.

What is Wind Vane mode?

When the SmartPilot is in Wind Vane mode it uses the wind angle as the primary
heading reference. As changes in the true or apparent wind angle occur, it adjusts
the locked heading to maintain the original wind angle.

Selecting Wind Vane mode

You can select Wind Vane mode from either
Standby or Auto mode:
1. Steady the boat onto the required wind angle.
MENU
2. Press
Vane mode and lock the current wind angle.
The display shows the locked heading (e.g.
128°) and the wind angle (e.g. WIND 145P
indicates an wind angle of 145° to port).
3. The SmartPilot will then adjust the boat's
heading to maintain the locked wind angle.

Adjusting the locked wind angle

You can adjust the locked wind angle by using the
change course. For example, to bear away by 10° when the boat is on a starboard
tack:
-10
• press
will both change by 10°.
• the autopilot will then adjust the locked heading as required to maintain the new
wind angle.
Note:
Because turning the boat affects the relationship between the true and apparent wind an-
gles, you should only use this method to make minor adjustments to the wind angle. For major
changes, return to Standby mode, steer onto the new heading, then reselect Wind Vane mode.
Refer to the ST70 Autopilot Controller User Reference Guide for the procedure for changing the
wind reference between True and Apparent.

Leaving Wind Vane mode

You can leave Wind Vane mode by:
pressing AUTO to return to Auto mode.
•
pressing STANDBY to return to manual control.
•

True and apparent wind

SmartPilots can maintain a course relative to either an apparent or true wind angle
in Wind Vane mode
, then use < and > to select Wind
to turn the boat 10° to port – the locked wind angle and locked heading
Main Menu
Wind Vane Mode
Press ENTER to select.
-1 +1 -10 +10
, , and
31
buttons to