Autopilot, heavy weather, boat behaviour

[Sully]

I rejoined my live voyage tonight and to my horror Esail had once again treated me to some ferocious weather. I started in full sail, and had the mast in the water after about 10s. Yikes.

I was returning from the Dragon Island (just got the new map!) and wanted to return to Shearwater for a virtual pint.

For about the 2nd time, I realised that the autopilot can't keep up with the weather. Basically I'm trying to beat upwind, but had to resort to steering by hand, and now I remembered why helmsmen don't like a frontal sea in heavy weather.

With the wind blowing around 39kt off the stbd. bow, Every time the boat ran down a wave, it pulled hard left, and everytime it ran up, it pulled right (accompanied by a modest heel). The autopilot can't correct fast enough, and if left alone will eventually gybe the boat. I'm reefed hard (basically flying two business cards) and I am sure I can get more speed out of the boat but I can't leave the helm or I'll be facing back the way I came...Esail certainly writes its own stories siometimes.

The foresail seems to be the main culprit, I think the balance is changing as the boats pitch and yaw gets punted around by the wave action. Needs quite a bit of steering, like counter-steering a racing car.

[cbaldwin256]

I love the description. It’s true that it is hard to create a good autopilot.