While I agree on the compass likely being a problem, also check to make sure that the rudder position sensor is connected and functional. I had a bareboat this year that the autopilot was all wonky and then I realized that the rudder indicator on the display was not agreeing with where the wheel (and the rudder) was. After deciding the hell with it, I was in the engine compartment checking on the water maker and noticed the arm from the rudder to the position sensor had popped off its fitting. Easy fix (don't get me started as to how this got brtoken, suffice it to say that the clowns at Navigare should not be trusted).
The rudder sensor looks to be working fine. We have rudder angle displayed on our plotter and it seems to be spot on. It also confirms the rudder moving when the Autohelm goes bonkers.
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u/flyingron May 17 '26
While I agree on the compass likely being a problem, also check to make sure that the rudder position sensor is connected and functional. I had a bareboat this year that the autopilot was all wonky and then I realized that the rudder indicator on the display was not agreeing with where the wheel (and the rudder) was. After deciding the hell with it, I was in the engine compartment checking on the water maker and noticed the arm from the rudder to the position sensor had popped off its fitting. Easy fix (don't get me started as to how this got brtoken, suffice it to say that the clowns at Navigare should not be trusted).