Setting Up and Following a Search Pattern
Before you can use this steering pattern, the helm control must be connected to the same NMEA 2000® network as a compatible Garmin® chartplotter and a GPS source.
You can use the search pattern to steer the boat in increasingly larger circles outward from the active waypoint, forming a spiral pattern. When you begin the search pattern, the autopilot immediately drives the boat in a circle centered on the active waypoint and expands the spiral as it completes each circle.
See the owner's manual for your Garmin chartplotter for more information about setting and using waypoints.
You can adjust the distance between each circle in the spiral. The default distance between circles is 50 ft. (20 m).
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From the autopilot screen, select
> Pattern Steering > Search.
- If necessary, select Search Spacing, and select a distance.
- Select Engage Port or Engage Starboard.