45 Degrees Sailingvideo
How to Tack Solo with Autopilot: Bavaria 46
27 February 2024 · 1 min · 10K views
What this video covers
The Bavaria 46's autopilot tack function lets a solo sailor execute a tack hands-free by setting a wind hold angle — in this case 50 degrees — then navigating to Menu > Tack/Jibe > Tack.0:08 Nick demonstrates the sequence after a viewer comment from "lolros" pointed out the feature; he had been tacking manually and was also training a crew member whose first solo tack without it was unsuccessful.0:17 Once the tack command is triggered, the autopilot steers the boat through 50 degrees to the new tack, overshoots slightly to build speed and reestablish direction, then settles back to the 50-degree wind angle on the other side.1:19 During the maneuver the helmsman needs only to manage the sheet, freeing attention from the wheel entirely.0:55 The practical takeaway is that the Bavaria 46 autopilot's wind-hold tack mode significantly simplifies single-handed tacking compared to manual steering through the maneuver.
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