I think the high speed monohulls in the Vendee globe and other singlehanded round the world races all use wind direction sensors with their electronic autopilots.  I know of one that had a hell of a time getting the electronic autopilot to steer the boat when the wind sensor failed.

To steer the boat, I believe they use the wind sensor in combination....compass for primary reference, gyro if fitted for short term corrections and the wind sensor for short term trim corrections.   I also think they rely on alarms to give warnings when anything goes too far out of wack.

I know with my own heavy monohull, going to windward I can trim the sails very precisely when using the windvane and get everything  dialed in and maxed out.  Following  a compass setting on the autopilot, I need to give a wider window to the sail settings or I can get caught aback with a wind shift and then all hell breaks loose.

Cheers, Paul

On 7/12/2011 12:15 PM, carlos wrote:

 

Not on that site - he must have another but i email him
Here is his answer

hi Carlos
Yes, l use an Autohelm ST 4000 which  develop 84 Kg traction. I use it only with small and medium wind until 15 knots wind . It's too light for the
proa after. l might use pilot as trimaran race but lt's too expansive for me.
Best  regards   philippe

Le 11/07/2011 12:44, Carlos Solanilla a écrit :
Hi
I seem to remember a picture where you use a stick autopilot on your proa? We are discussing autopilots at the harry proa web site - could you confirm if this is the case?

Merci

Carlos frm Miami