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Section 2 - On the Water
In extreme weather and sea conditions, Skyhook may not be able to maintain a vessel's heading and position. This is especially
true if the vessel's heading is perpendicular to the wind or current. If the wind or current forces the vessel away from the
position where Skyhook was set, Skyhook will start to turn the bow of the vessel back to the original set point. As the vessel is
pushed further away, Skyhook will continue to rotate the bow to the set point until the bow eventually points directly at the set
point.
•
If at any time in this process Skyhook is able to overcome the conditions enough to hold a position, it will cease turning the
bow.
•
If the conditions lessen and Skyhook is able to maneuver the vessel back toward the original set point, Skyhook will rotate
the bow back to the original heading as it maneuvers the vessel toward that set point.
•
If the vessel is forced far enough away from the set point, Skyhook will notify the operator that it is not able to maintain
position. Skyhook will continue to attempt to return to the set point, unless the operator assumes control of the vessel.
To minimize the effects of extreme conditions on the operation of Skyhook, Mercury Marine recommends adjusting the vessel's
heading so that its bow (or for some vessels, its stern) faces into the wind or the current.
Skyhook can unexpectedly disengage due to a loss of engine power or GPS signal. If this happens Skyhook will sound an
alarm, the engines will return to neutral, and the vessel will drift with the wind and current. You must be ready to take control of
the helm at all times.
Response Settings
How aggressively the vessel reacts to programmed changes when in autopilot modes can be changed in VesselView by the
operator. By default, the response is set at level 3. Press the response button once to identify the current setting. The response
light will blink to indicate the current setting. Pressing the button within five seconds changes the response setting to the next
sequential level.
Number of blinks
1
2
3
Autopilot Modes
Avoid serious injury or death. Inattentive boat operation can result in a collision with other watercraft, obstacles, swimmers, or
underwater terrain. The autopilot navigates a preset course, and does not automatically respond to hazards in the vicinity of
the boat. The operator must stay at the helm, ready to evade hazards and warn passengers of course changes.
The autopilot includes several modes that can steer your vessel to a specific compass heading or to destinations generated
from a chartplotter and GPS unit. If using a device to generate course information, you must be familiar with the operation of
that chartplotter and GPS unit before attempting to use the autopilot to steer your vessel. The autopilot does not control speed,
only direction, and it cannot sense hazards to navigation. These automatic modes do not relieve the operator of the
responsibility to stay at the helm and keep a vigilant lookout for other vessels, persons in the water, or hazards to navigation.
NOTE: Moving the steering wheel will always override the autopilot, and the operator will assume control of the vessel. A slight
resistance in the wheel gives the operator feedback that he is taking control from the autopilot. Shifting the electronic remote
control (ERC) lever will also disable the autopilot mode.
When using the autopilot with a chartplotter and a GPS unit to navigate along a series of waypoints (a route), be aware that the
boat will not travel to the precise location of the waypoint before initiating a turn to the next waypoint. Your chartplotter
establishes a zone called an arrival circle around the waypoint, and the autopilot will announce arrival at the waypoint when the
boat enters that zone.
Auto Heading
Auto heading allows the boat to automatically maintain a compass heading while the boat is underway.
Engaging Auto Heading
1.
Ensure that both engines are running and in gear.
NOTE: Auto heading does not function with the ERC levers in neutral or reverse.
2.
Steer the boat to the desired compass heading.
Page 18
Response setting indicated
1
2
3
WARNING
!
Aggressiveness of correction
Mild (for gentle or calm conditions)
Medium (for moderate conditions)
Aggressive (for severe conditions)
90-8M0099745
MAY 2015
eng
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Troubleshooting
