Instruction manual

Robertson AP11 Autopilot
28 20220513E
2.17 Navigating with the AP11
The AP11 has the capability to use steering information
from an external navigator (GPS, LORAN, Decca) to direct
the boat to a specific waypoint location, or through a route
of waypoints. In the AUTO NAV mode, the AP11 uses the
heading sensor as it's reference for course keeping. The
steering information received from the external navigator
alters the set course to direct the AP11 to the destination
waypoint.
Note ! The process of having an external navigation receiver
direct an autopilot can be a slow acting process.
Navigational steering must therefore only be used in
open waters.
To obtain satisfactory navigation steering, the following
points must be fulfilled prior to entering the Auto Nav
mode:
• The AP11 autosteering must be tested in Auto Compass
mode and found satisfactory.
• The navigation receiver must be operating and the
navigation system (GPS, LORAN, Decca) must be in full
operating mode with adequate signal characteristics for
valid position and steering data.
• At least one waypoint must be entered and selected as
the current waypoint in the navigation receiver.
The AP11 is designed to steer in mixed mode operation.
This combines the straight steering capability of cross track
error (XTE) steering in conjunction with the turning
capability of bearing mode steering. If the AP11 is connected
to a Nav. receiver that does not transmit message with
bearing to next waypoint, it will steer on the XTE message
only. In that case you have to revert to AUTO mode at each
waypoint and manually change set course to equal bearing
to next waypoint and then select NAV mode again.
When operating in Auto Nav mode to automatically steer
through a route of waypoints, the AP11 will steer to the first
waypoint in the route after you accept the first waypoint as
the location to steer to. When you arrive at the waypoint,
the AP11 will sound an alarm and display the bearing to the
next waypoint. If the course change exceeds 10°, you will
need to verify that it is acceptable. If no verification is