Hi guys,
I was playing around with the autopilot settings for damping on the weekend, when I noticed one of the inputs you can select is rudder angle which I have never used before. You can select either AWA,TWA, Compass, Rudder angle or GPS (chartplotter)
I normally only use two inputs; Compass bearing for in enclosed waters, and TWA for offshore or when there's no lee shore.
I'm trying to work out when/why you would use "rudder angle" as an input?
Say you set a rudder angle of 4 degrees. If the wind angle increases, the boat powers up and weather helm increases, so the rudder angle will increase, and the autopilot will correct the course to re-centre back to the 4 degree angle.
So, doesn't that mean a "rudder angle" mode is no different to "wind angle" mode? If so, why would you even have it as an option?
I'm trying to think of a scenario where it might be more useful than the other choices, ie: downwind under kite? For single handing when you're sleeping os? For heavy, or light, seas?
I must be missing something basic here, if so I apologise in advance for the dumb question 
With thanks!
SB
You told me there's no such thing as a dumb question. Interesting though that with your experience, you are
racking your brains to think of why it should exist as an option. logically, if it's there somebody's got an idea
regardless of how remote the option is. It is, of course way above my head, but I am interested in the outcome.
I think that the rudder angle mode is effectively a "joystick" mode ie you twiddle the rudder angle to steer the boat manually by remote.
there is a paragraph here that talks about when you might use the rudder angle:
www.yachtingworld.com/yachts-and-gear/get-best-autopilot-60038
Hi Shaggy, was it you had a set of instruments for sale some time ago?
Cheers Conrad
Frant and Fish,
thx guys, that helps.
Blackswan, yep, another Seabreezer is currently evaluating them. Well, they would be if the transport company hadn't "temporarily mislaid" them in transit. They're still looking too, haven't found them yet.....grrr.
It could be handy coming to pick up a mooring a bit off the wind when single handed, a fancy steering lock.
