Autopilot?

[jmiller59]

As a still noobi boat owner I have a question to the sailing community:  How much do you use your autopilot?

My boat came with one and it worked ok for a while. It no longer works and I removed it because it failed in a way that caused the wheel to bind.  I liked it on the occasions that  I used it. The wheel lock seems to work nearly as well. Seems most of my sailing has been racing where I can't use it if it did work.  I am trying to decide if fixing it should be on my long list of repairs.

Thanks
Jim

[Tye Dyed Gary]

  First off, let say my boat is too small for an autopilot, but I have been on many boats with them. The only race that I know that allows an autopilot is the Rum Races, all others it's a no no. But, I, have used them a lot on deliveries and returns from where ever we race to.
  So, to answer your question, should you repair or replace it, depends on this question. Do you plan to sail offshore? If you answer yes then fix it. If not don't waste the money.