Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Steer

[swhfire21]

After reading through the posts I found and talking to some other boat owners (sailors can't be opinionated, can they?), I'm about ready to order a unit. However, I am a bit confused about the life expectancy of a wheel steer unit and about the "extras" I may need for the install.

Some of the local captain's I've spoke with who either take long cruises or talk like they do and tell me that I would regret going to a wheel steer unit as I'll be forever replacing nylon gears. Is this really an issue for the type of sailing I do based on other's experience? My sailing is pretty much limited to bay sailing along the South Jersey shore, mostly day sailing with a few overnights on the hook thrown in. I almost always single hand or sail with folks who have very limited experience, so self steering makes my life way easier. The bays here are pretty demanding if you want to stay off the bottom with typical mid-afternoon winds/sea breeze of 7 - 12 mph most of the summer. Our boat displaces 12,000 lbs, which is 75% of the unit's rating. While I dream of someday hitting more open water for long cruises I don't see it happening for quite some time (10- 15 years), as my business is way to busy in the summer months to take the time off needed for such activities.

I plan on using the pilot as a point and shoot device (get boat pointed in right direction, hit auto and go with only minor adjustments using +/- buttons). I don't foresee connecting it to the GPS or any other devices given the short straight line distances and skinny/narrow water s involved. Do I nee the rudder position sensor or anything else other than the most basic unit?

Thanks,

[moctrams]

I replaced my Autohelm 4000 this year after 33 years of service. The new auto-pilot works very well.
Sketch is my system.
You would probably want a used one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Raymarine-Autoh ... 9-&vxp=mtr

This listing does not include the compass. The seller is being disingenuous about the sale considering a lot of folks don’t know enough about the system to realize there is no compass.

[Jeff and Sarah]

I have the EV-100 and use it exactly as you describe. Is it the only autopilot I'd have on board for a world tour? No. But I absolutely love it for the my intended use- it has changed the way my family boats as we can now divert enough attention to the kids to keep them alive and happy. I also have the wireless remote which isn't critical and I don't use it often though I like having it when the situation dictates.

I read on this board that a rudder position sensor makes it work better but I don't have one and have no major complaints with performance. I think I'll try adding one at some point but I'm not rushing the project.

If I were to set out for a world tour, I'd add a windvane or a below deck system but I'd keep the EV-100 and enjoy it's simplicity whenever conditions allowed. We have a 430 amp hour bank and after a full day of sailing we hardly use 10 or 15% of the battery capacity. (That is a very imprecise figure though.)

[Steve Laume]

I think you would be well served and more than happy with the EV-100. I had an old 4000, that was a mess even when it worked. I installed the EV-100 this spring and it seems to be much better than the older units. There is no longer a flux gate compass so you don't really need to mount any of the components miles away from ferrous metals. I made up a board with the proper bevel to make it plumb and epoxied it to the inside of the cockpit locker just aft of the opening. I fastened all three components, the censer, brain and control pad/display (facing into the cockpit), to it and ran the cable to the wheel drive. End of job. With this unit, there doesn't seem to be any need for a rudder angle indicator.

It steers very well, Steve.

[swhfire21]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to take the plunge.