Marine Autopilots
Featured Brands
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Ritchie®Explorer™ Binnacle/Surface Mount CompassExplorer™ Binnacle/Surface Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product...2-3/4" Easy to Read Direct Reading DialCompact Low-Profile Design$92.89 - Ritchie®Explorer™ Bracket Mount CompassExplorer™ Bracket Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is...2-3/4" Easy to Read Direct Reading DialAdjustable and Removable with Bracket and Thumbscrews$92.89 - $108.06
- Ritchie®Explorer™ Bulkhead Mount CompassExplorer™ Bulkhead Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is...2-3/4" Easy to Read Direct Reading DialViewing is adjustable to 30 Degrees$80.49 - $92.28
- Ritchie®Explorer™ Flush Mount CompassExplorer™ Flush Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is designed...2-3/4" Easy to Read Direct Reading DialEasily Installed, Fits 3.75" (9.53 cm) Mounting Hole$94.46
- Ritchie®Helmsman™ Black Bracket Mount CompassHelmsman™ Black Bracket Mount Compass by Ritchie®. This product is made of high-quality materials to serve you for years to come. Designed using state-of-the-art technology and with customers in mind, this product by Ritchie® will...Movable Sun Shield45 Degree Lubber lines$306.15 - $582.33
- Ritchie®Helmsman™ Black Flush Mount CompassHelmsman™ Black Flush Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is...3-3/4" PowerDamp Flat DialEasily Installed, Fits 4" (10.16cm) Mounting Hole. (Be sure you print the template Actual size)$281.49
- Ritchie®Helmsman™ Flush Mount CompassHelmsman™ Flush Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is designed...3-3/4" CombiDamp DialExclusive Built-in Green NiteVu Night Illumination$252.52 - $271.37
- Ritchie®Kayaker™ Kayak CompassKayaker™ Kayak Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is designed to...CourseMinder Movable Bezel with Heading Memory Indicator Remembers the Way. So you don't have to!2-3/4" Direct-Reading Dial$83.25 - $94.54
- Ritchie®Mounting Adapter for Helmsman™/SuperSport™ CompassesMounting Adapter for Helmsman™/SuperSport™ Compasses by Ritchie®. Used to retrofit existing mounting hole sizes 4-1/4 to 5 inches in diameter. For use with: HF-742, HF-743 or SS-1002 Compasses. This product is made of high-quality...Engineered to high standardsHigh-grade design delivers extended lifespan$19.86 - $19.87
- Ritchie®Navigator™ Binnacle Mount CompassNavigator™ Binnacle Mount Compass by Ritchie®. This product is made of high-quality materials to serve you for years to come. Designed using state-of-the-art technology and with customers in mind, this product by Ritchie® will last a...Exclusive Built-in Green NiteVu Night IlluminationBuilt-in Compensators to Easily Adjust for Deviation$603.04 - $983.36
- Ritchie®Navigator™ Black Bulkhead Mount CompassNavigator™ Black Bulkhead Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product...4-1/2" Ritchie CombiDial and Built-in ClinometerEasily Installed, Fits 5.75" (14.61cm) Mounting Hole$526.17
- Ritchie®Navigator™ Flush Mount CompassNavigator™ Flush Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is...4-1/2" PowerDamp Flat Card Dial with Large NumeralsExclusive Built-in Green NiteVu Night Illumination$416.20 - $466.71
- Ritchie®RitchieSport™ Bracket Mount CompassRitchieSport™ Bracket Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is...2" Direct-Reading, High Visibility DialsReversible Bracket allows a mounting range of over 300 degrees from overhead, through angled and vertical mounts to horizontal surfaces$47.59 - $58.17
- Ritchie®RitchieSport™ X-21 Bulkhead Mount CompassRitchieSport™ X-21 Bulkhead Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product...2" (5.08cm) Direct Reading DialEasily Installed, Fits Standard 2-1/16" Instrument Hole$56.94 - $76.60
- Ritchie®SportAbout™ Yellow Kayak CompassSportAbout™ Yellow Kayak Compass by Ritchie®. This product is made of high-quality materials to serve you for years to come. Designed using state-of-the-art technology and with customers in mind, this product by Ritchie® will last a...Easy to Read 2" Direct-Reading DialHardened Steel Pivot and Sapphire Jewel Movement$71.42 - $78.39
- Ritchie®SuperSport™ Black Bulkhead Mount CompassSuperSport™ Black Bulkhead Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Developed for and tested on offshore race boats, the SuperSport Series compasses feature the PowerDamp® Plus dial. This dial technology features the PowerDamp® dial skirt to...3-3/4" (9.35cm) CombiDial12V blue LED Night Lighting$293.94
- Ritchie®SuperSport™ Flush Mount CompassSuperSport™ Flush Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Developed for and tested on offshore race boats, the SuperSport Series compasses feature the PowerDamp® Plus dial. This dial technology features the PowerDamp® dial skirt to prevent...Built-in Compensators to Easily Adjust for deviation100% Repairable$313.16 - $984.67
- Ritchie®Venture™ Black Bulkhead Mount Compass with ClinometerVenture™ Black Bulkhead Mount Compass with Clinometer by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind,...3-3/4" CombiDial4-5/8" (118mm) to 4-13/16" (122mm) mounting hole$293.94
- Ritchie®Voyager™ Binnacle/Surface Mount CompassVoyager™ Binnacle/Surface Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product...3" CombiDamp DialCompact low-profile design$168.95 - $184.93
- Ritchie®Voyager™ Flush Mount CompassVoyager™ Flush Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is designed...3" PowerDamp Flat DialExclusive Built-in Green NiteVu Night Illumination$191.71
- Ritchie®Voyager™ Flush Mount CompassVoyager™ Flush Mount Compass by Ritchie®. Whether you're a pro or boating for pleasure, make the most out of your boat and time on the water! Built with the highest quality standards and reliability in mind, every product is designed...3" CombiDamp DialEasily Installed$191.71 - $195.87
- Simrad®12V Hydraulic Pump12V Hydraulic Pump by Simrad®. This product is made of high-quality materials to serve you for years to come. Designed using state-of-the-art technology and with customers in mind, this product by Simrad® will last a lifetime. It will...Engineered to high standardsHigh-grade design delivers extended lifespan$676.87 - $1,693.87
- Simrad®NAC-2 Hydraulic/Electromechanical Autopilot KitNAC-2 Hydraulic/Electromechanical Autopilot Kit by Simrad®. Includes Computer, Compass, Feedback. This pack includes all of the core components you need to upgrade your boat with a Simrad Continuum autopilot system – just add a...Core components for a Simrad Continuum autopilot system – just add a drive unit and controllerIdeal for boats up to 10 metres (35 feet) in length$1,897.27
- Simrad®NAC-2 VRF Hydraulic/Electromechanical Autopilot KitNAC-2 VRF Hydraulic/Electromechanical Autopilot Kit by Simrad®. Includes Computer, Compass. This pack includes all of the core components you need to upgrade your boat with a Simrad Continuum autopilot system – just add a hydraulic...Core components for a Simrad Continuum autopilot system – just add a drive unit and controllerIdeal for outboard and I/O boats up to 10 metres (35 feet) in length$1,558.27
- Simrad®NAC-3 Hydraulic/Electromechanical Autopilot KitNAC-3 Hydraulic/Electromechanical Autopilot Kit by Simrad®. Includes Computer, Compass, Feedback. This pack includes all of the core components you need to upgrade your boat with a Simrad Continuum autopilot system – just add a...Core components for a Simrad Continuum autopilot system – just add a drive unit and controllerIdeal for boats above 10 metres (35 feet) in length$2,767.37
- Simrad®NAC-3 VRF Hydraulic/Electromechanical Autopilot KitNAC-3 VRF Hydraulic/Electromechanical Autopilot Kit by Simrad®. Includes Computer, Compass. This pack includes all of the core components you need to upgrade your boat with a Simrad Continuum autopilot system – just add a hydraulic...Core components for a Simrad Continuum autopilot system – just add a drive unit and controllerIdeal for outboard and I/O boats above 10 metres (35 feet) in length$2,450.97
- Simrad®RF300 Rotary Rudder FeedbackRF300 Rotary Rudder Feedback by Simrad®. The RF300 rudder feedback unit contributes towards smooth and accurate auto-steering by determining rudder angle. It is to be used as part of an autopilot system on boats with inboard engines....Engineered to high standardsHigh-grade design delivers extended lifespan$371.77
- Simrad®Tiller Autopilot KitTiller Autopilot Kit by Simrad®. Includes Computer, Control Unit. This product is made of high-quality materials to serve you for years to come. Designed using state-of-the-art technology and with customers in mind, this product by...Easy To Use: A simple selection of controls enable straightforward selection of the adjustments you requirePrecision Steering: Outstanding performance through a wide range of scenarios, even extreme weather, ensures the Pilot is positive and effective in typical coastal sailing conditions$620.37 - $1,015.87
- Raymarine®12V Electromechanical Linear Drive12V Electromechanical Linear Drive by Raymarine®. This product is made of high-quality materials to serve you for years to come. Designed using state-of-the-art technology and with customers in mind, this product by Raymarine® will...Low backdrive force, to minimize the drives effect on the boats steering when the autopilot is in standbyA powerful electric motor controlled by an electromagnetic fail-safe clutch$1,997.74 - $2,653.20
- Raymarine®12V Hydraulic Pump12V Hydraulic Pump by Raymarine®. Raymarine Evolution pilots connect to hydraulic steering systems using a rugged hydraulic pump matched to the capacity of the hydraulic steering system. If your system is hydraulic. You'll need to find...Engineered to high standardsHigh-grade design delivers extended lifespan$831.86 - $1,531.41
If you still have not equipped your boat with an autopilot and ask yourself a question if you should do it, the answer is Yes! Like no other navigation device, a properly chosen autopilot can keep your boat on a steady course, giving you a chance to do other important tasks, as well as decrease fuel consumption and minimize helm movements. As a result, you can enjoy a relaxed time afloat without affecting the steering precision.
Though there is a range of different autopilot systems created for various types of boats and featuring a number of basic and more advanced functions, the operation principle remains unchanged. An autopilot is a self-steering device that allows the vessel to hold a steady pre-set course. To cope with the task, the autopilot combines the work of three components: a heading sensor, also referred to as the fluxgate compass, a course computer, and a drive unit. The drive unit can be hydraulically or electrically powered and applies force to the rudder to adjust and maintain the course accurately.
Picking the right autopilot compatible with your boat’s specific parameters requires careful consideration. While boat design, its size and displacement are among the vitally important parameters that should be taken into account when choosing an autopilot system, special attention should always be given to the selection of a drive unit (steering ram). As the drive unit usually takes much space, it should be compatible with the size of your vessel and the type of steering system your boat uses. There are linear (for mechanically-steered boats), rotary (for cable and chain steering systems) and hydraulic (hydraulic steering systems) ram drives.
Another crucial factor is the speed of the autopilot determined by measuring the number of degrees per second of helm correction. The average autopilot speed ranges between 8° and 15° per second. You can also choose between the above-deck and below-deck units, perfectly suited for up to 40‘ sailboats and over 38‘ sailboats and powerboats respectively. However, irrespective of the type of autopilot system, additional consideration may be needed when positioning your control unit, which should preferably be located in a relatively dry place. Controllers may be basic or more sophisticated featuring GPS, sonar, available with a touch-screen display, etc.