Device that initiates an autopilot goto (or head to wind) for singlehanded man overboard?

[Alaris]

I posted this in Gear Anarchy but realize it may get more insight here. Apologies for the repost.

I have no idea what to search for either here or on google. The device I have imagined is like an ais beacon but also when activated the autopilot initiates a goto to the beacon. OR it just drops the MOB waypoint and initiates a goto to that point, or heads to wind.

Does this exist? Should it?

B&G H5000 autopilot if it matters.

 

[Roleur]

NKE autopilot remote does that. When set for this and the remote (which you wear) gets some distance from the boat, it goes head to wind.

P.S. - Not very useful if you fall overboard while motoring!

 

[slug zitski]

Sounds impossible .. and no way to get back on the boat

Most modern boats are using drone tractor beams to retrieve crew

The Chinese ones are cheap and durable

 

[longy]

Yes the NKE goes head to wind - until steerage way is lost. Then the sails take it off in unpredictable directions. Head falls off, sails fill, boat starts going somewhere, auto pushes it back up into the wind (if it now has enuff speed to do this)

 

[longy]

NKE claims 25 m range. In view of the above (what I think will really happen if 'head to wind' is activated I would crash tack the boat using remote & try to get it to come back to swimmer.

 

[VeloceSailing]

NKE claims 25 m range. In view of the above (what I think will really happen if 'head to wind' is activated I would crash tack the boat using remote & try to get it to come back to swimmer.

I'd be dun to see with the kite pulling downwind.... as long as I'm not watching from the MOB position

 

[Kenny Dumas]

That also means that if your remote battery goes dead, the boat takes a hard right turn and jibes your ass in 15 knots of breeze at O dark thirty.

Unintended consequences

 

[shaggybaxter]

NKE claims 25 m range. In view of the above (what I think will really happen if 'head to wind' is activated I would crash tack the boat using remote & try to get it to come back to swimmer.

You set it to engine mode when motoring. If you go overboard the helm goes hard over and the boat does endless circles. In sail mode it just goes head to wind, then when it falls off the pilot can go into alarm and kinda shit itself if it doesn’t get enough steerage quickly.

That also means that if your remote battery goes dead, the boat takes a hard right turn and jibes your ass in 15 knots of breeze at O dark thirty.

Unintended consequences

Yep, this happened to me when the fob battery got weak. Very unnerving ! You can’t replace the battery yourself, it has to go to an authorised repair dude, so it pays to remember before a long passage anywhere.

 

[mccroc]

My Raymarine remote had a 10 metre range and would go into standby if it lost the connection. Never wanted to try it.

 

[Foolish]

Wear a harness!!! In any wind at all it will take at least 50 yards of travel before your boat stops. Now try to swim 50 yards with your foulies on. It's just impossible. Wear a harness so you stay with the boat.

 

[Vinnie1966]

I posted this in Gear Anarchy but realize it may get more insight here. Apologies for the repost.

I have no idea what to search for either here or on google. The device I have imagined is like an ais beacon but also when activated the autopilot initiates a goto to the beacon. OR it just drops the MOB waypoint and initiates a goto to that point, or heads to wind.

Does this exist? Should it?

B&G H5000 autopilot if it matters.

Hello Alaris,

my boat has tiller steering and ST2000 autopilot. I put the AP ram through the eye of a 3mm line. The line goes up to a little pulley connected to the backstay, then comes down trough a little sheave connected to the transom. The line, with a floater connected to its end, is left trailing during solo sailing (about 30 meters line). If I fall overboard, what I need to do is to get in the boat trail and grab the line. Pulling the line causes the AP ram to lift and disconnect from the tiller. The boat does eventually point to the wind, giving me the time to swim back on board. From the water I can release the swim ladder simply pulling a line. I've tested it in 20 kn winds on a close reach and works fine. Provided you are conscious and relatively fit after falling in the drink....

cheers
vinnie1966