TZtouchxl integration with B&G autopilot brain NAC-3

[Higher Note]

I am starting a big project on my sailboat which is a 53 ft. offshore cruiser/racer. Old electronics from the late 1990s. In prior boats I was all B&G but was also doing some around the buoy stuff and had their H5000 processor. On this boat the only racing will be offshore stuff. I'm planing on installing a TZtouchXL at the wheel and networking to a computer at the inside navstation running TimeZero. That is my main impetus for switching from B&G Zeus MFDs. For instruments I'll go with a B&G wind wand with a Triton2 display system and likely a 810st tridata speed/depth/temp. Furuno radar but not sure which model. A fluxgate compass of some type, maybe a P-9

The issue is how well the MFD will play with a non-furuno autopilot brain. I sometimes race double handed and need a very good autoplot that works on wind mode in big winds and waves with a spinnaker up.

Questions:
1. Will the Furuno MFD communicate well with a B&G NAC-3 in wind mode? True wind calculations are needed in some conditions rather than apparent. I'm not sure how that would work. The triton2 can make that calculation from measured wind to apparent and then true, but would the TZtouchXL also do that?
2. Does Furuno make an autopilot brain that works well in wind mode for serious offshore sailing?

Thanks in advance

 

[Johnny Electron]

The B&G pilot should be getting the data directly from the wind instruments not the MFD (via the 2000 bus). The MFD will provide the route information via certified NMEA 2000 as most MFDs will. The pilot will know the destination and use the wind data to accommodate tacking just as our NAVpilot in wind mode would. I am not aware of anything propriety in the B&G pilot that wouldn't be satisfied by any MFD brand. Maybe some sailboat customers here familiar with their products can comment. The TZT can calculate true wind for its own use as long as it has all the needed components (like MagVar and speed). In the data box, established data is black but calculated/created will normally show up in yellow.

I heard after about the first year of production that the NAVpilot 700 series in wind mode was one of the best sailboat pilots on the market. The older 500 series wasn't that great for sailboats. I think it would be best to talk to others on the boating forums to see how they like the 700 series in Wind mode. I will say that as a tech, I never had a single sailboat customer complain about how it works. The market evolves as B&G long ago was purchased by Navico and I can't keep up with all their rebranded stuff. I would say if you have it, and it works, don't spend money you don't have to. I haven't seen anyone have problems driving anyone's pilot with any brand plotter. Following NMEA standards the communications are pretty uniform.

 

[Higher Note]

Thanks for the response. I think that there are different degrees to which wind mode is utilized based on conditions and types of boats. The demands of sailing in big winds and big waves at high speed is challenging for any autopilot. Different than cruising along at 5 knots in the bay. Great suggestion to hear from other users. Thanks! I hope others will chime in. Furuno has minimal presence in the sailboat racing community it seems from what I have seen.

 

[Johnny Electron]

Not sure about racers but Nobeltec/MaxSea has been very deep into that racing market and has spent much time in development of the Furuno TimeZero powered products. I did recently hear about a blind sail boater who used Furuno equipment crossing the Pacific previously whom is now going to do it again solo. HIRO’s Choice | Blind Sailor Solo Trans-Pacific Challenge 2027. Go with what you know and works for you. You might have to surf a few boaters forums for thoughts as most here seem to mostly power boats but hopefully someone will chime in. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Higher Note]

I think the timezero products are amazing and so seamless between the computer and the plotter. Nothing else like it.