Garmin GPSMAP A12, Owner'S Manual

1

Measure the distance:
• If the transducer is installed at the water line   or 

anywhere above the end of the keel, measure the 

distance from the transducer location to the keel of the 

boat. Enter this value as a positive number.

• If the transducer is installed at the bottom of the keel 

and you want to know the true depth of the water, 

measure the distance from the transducer to the water 

line. Enter this value in as a negative number.

2

Select 

Settings

 > 

My Vessel

 > 

Depth and Anchoring

 > 

Keel Offset

.

3

Select   if the transducer is installed at the water line, or 

select   if the transducer is installed at the bottom of the 

keel.

4

Enter the distance measured in step 1.

Sailboat Autopilot Operation

 CAUTION

When engaged, the autopilot controls only the rudder. You and 

your crew remain responsible for the sails while the autopilot is 

engaged.

In addition to heading hold, you can use the autopilot to maintain 

a wind hold. You can also use the autopilot to control the rudder 

while tacking and gybing.

Wind Hold

You can set the autopilot to maintain a specific bearing relative 

to the current wind angle. Your device must be connected to a 

NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 compatible wind sensor to perform 

a wind hold or a wind-based tack or gybe.

Setting the Wind Hold Type

Before you can enable the wind hold type, you must connect a 

NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 wind sensor to the autopilot.
For advanced autopilot configuration, see the installation 

instructions included with your autopilot.

1

From the autopilot screen, select 

Menu

 > 

Autopilot Setup

 > 

Wind Hold Type

.

2

Select 

Apparent

 or 

True

.

Engaging Wind Hold

Before you can enable the wind hold type, you must connect a 

NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 wind sensor to the autopilot.

When the autopilot is in standby mode, select 

Wind Hold

.

Engaging Wind Hold from Heading Hold

Before you can enable the wind hold type, you must connect a 

NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 wind sensor to the autopilot.

With heading hold engaged, select 

Menu

 > 

Wind Hold

.

Adjusting the Wind Hold Angle with the Autopilot

You can adjust the wind hold angle on the autopilot when wind 

hold is engaged.
• To adjust the wind hold angle in increments of 1°, select   or 

.

• To adjust the wind hold angle in increments of 10°, hold   or 

.

Tack and Gybe

You can set the autopilot to perform a tack or gybe while 

heading hold or wind hold is engaged.

Tacking and Gybing from Heading Hold

1

Engage heading hold (

Engaging the Autopilot

, page 37

).

2

Select 

Menu

.

3

Select an option.
The autopilot steers your boat through a tack or gybe.

Tacking and Gybing from Wind Hold

Before you can engage wind hold, you must have a wind sensor 

installed.

1

Engage wind hold (

Engaging Wind Hold

, page 22

).

2

Select 

Menu

.

3

Select an option.
The autopilot steers your boat through a tack or gybe, and 

information about the progress of the tack or gybe appears 

on the screen.

Setting a Tack and Gybe Delay

The tack and gybe delay allows you to delay steering a tack and 

gybe after you initiate the maneuver.

1

From the autopilot screen, select 

Menu

 > 

Autopilot Setup

 > 

Sailing Setup

 > 

Tack Delay

.

2

Select the length of the delay.

3

If necessary, select 

Done

.

Enabling the Gybe Inhibitor

NOTE: 

The gybe inhibitor does not prevent you from manually 

performing a gybe using the helm or step steering.
The gybe inhibitor prevents the autopilot from performing a 

gybe.

1

From the autopilot screen, select 

Menu

 > 

Autopilot Setup

 > 

Sailing Setup

 > 

Gybe Inhibitor

.

2

Select 

Enabled

.

Adjusting the Autopilot Response

When in sailboat mode, the Response setting allows you to 

adjust the rudder gain quickly to account for varying wind 

conditions.

1

From the autopilot screen, select 

Menu

 > 

Response

.

2

Adjust the rudder response.
If you need the rudder to be more responsive and move 

quicker, increase the value. If the rudder is moving too much, 

decrease the value.

Heading Line and Angle Markers

The heading line is an extension drawn on the map from the 

bow of the boat in the direction of travel. Angle markers indicate 

relative position from the heading or course over ground, which 

are helpful for casting or finding reference points.

Setting the Heading Line and Angle Markers

The heading line is an extension drawn on the map from the 

bow of the boat in the direction of travel. Angle markers indicate 

relative position from the heading or course over ground, which 

are helpful for casting or finding reference points.

22

Sailing Features