Off Course Alarm; Operating Hints; Making Major Course Changes; Course Changes Under Autopilot Control - Raymarine ST600R Owner's Handbook Manual

Chapter 2: Basic Operation
1. To cancel the off course alarm, press STANDBY to return to hand
2. Make sure your vessel is not carrying too much sail or the sails are

Off Course Alarm

The off course alarm sounds if the locked autopilot heading and the
vessel's current heading differ for more than 20 seconds, and by
more than the alarm angle set in calibration (the factory default
is 20°).
steering.
badly balanced. Significant improvements in course keeping can
usually be obtained by improving sail balance.

Operating Hints

Making Major Course Changes

• It is sound seamanship to make major course changes only when
steering manually.
• Manual course changes ensure that obstructions or other vessels are
cleared properly, and due account taken of the changed wind and sea
conditions on the new heading prior to engaging the autopilot.

Course Changes Under Autopilot Control

It is important to understand the effect of sudden trim changes on
steering performance. When a sudden trim change occurs, due, for
example, to weather helm or sail imbalance, there will be a delay
before the automatic trim applies rudder to restore the locked
heading. This correction can take up to one minute.
Large course changes, which change the apparent wind direction,
can produce large trim changes. In these situations, the autopilot will
not immediately assume the new automatic heading, and will only
settle onto course when the automatic trim has been fully
established.
9