MarineAutopilot.com.au disclaimer

This information can be wrong

Product ranges, model names, specifications and prices change every season. Manufacturers revise displacement ratings, dealers bundle differently, exchange rates move imported products, and software updates add and remove features. The site is reviewed regularly and every page carries a review date, but on any given day some detail here will be out of date. Prices are indicative Australian retail in AUD and must be confirmed before you budget.

It is not safety advice

Nothing here changes the skipper’s responsibility for the vessel and everyone aboard. An autopilot never keeps a lookout; Rule 5 of the Collision Regulations applies at all times, in every Australian jurisdiction, whoever or whatever is steering. Tethers, watchkeeping, alarms, bar crossings and passage decisions are yours. The training material on this site describes what competent practice looks like; it does not make anyone competent. Get instruction on your own boat.

It is not legal advice

Summaries of the Collision Regulations, the Navigation Act, state marine safety legislation, the National Standard for Commercial Vessels and Australian Sailing’s Special Regulations are provided to orient readers, not to state the law. Rules change and details differ by jurisdiction, vessel class and event. The authorities linked on the resources page publish the current requirements.

It is not engineering or electrical advice

Drive sizing, mounting, rudder stops, hydraulic work, cable sizing and network design are safety-critical. The descriptions here explain what a proper installation involves so you can judge a quote; they are not instructions for doing the work. Use a qualified installer and follow the manufacturer’s documentation.

Ratings, verdicts and recommendations

Editor scores, verdicts, recommended systems and the finder’s shortlist are editorial judgement based on manufacturer documentation, dealer pricing and experience. They are not test results and they cannot account for your boat’s loaded displacement, rudder-stock access, steering cylinder volume or electrical system. Take them to someone who can see the boat.

Independence

MarineAutopilot.com.au is published by YouSail.com.au. It does not sell autopilots, take affiliate commissions or accept payment for rankings or placement. Manufacturers, dealers, clubs and authorities are named for the reader’s convenience; none has reviewed or endorsed this content. Trade marks belong to their owners.

Liability

To the extent permitted by law, the publisher and editor accept no liability for loss, damage, injury or expense arising from reliance on anything on this site. Where a consumer guarantee cannot be excluded, liability is limited to the supply of the information again. If you find an error, the contact page goes straight to the editor.