AUTOPILOT

M

Molly Brown

Member
All Brats.....

Between my retirement and birthday I find myself with enough found money to install an autopilot. I have usually skipped those discussions since I don't have one, nor did I ever think I would want one. Now that I'm older and take longer trips I'm of the mind to get one and I can see some definite advantages, especially cruising alone. So, before I waste a lot of time figuring it all out, I thought I'd post here and get some real world experiences.

I'm thinking simple is best. Don't need a lot of bells and whistles. I have twin Honda 90's with a SeaStar hydraulic steering system. My tie bar between engines is mechanical. I'm leaning towards a system without a special compass. If it could tie in to my Garmin 547 XS and just steer to a waypoint that would be good enough.

Looking forward to some advice.
 
I have always liked the Simrad: AP2403 VRF Autopilot Package, does have a rate gyro compass--not sure if the Garmin will sub for that or not. It should work fine, because of the 10Hz refresh rate of the GPS signal.

There is a great overview of the new Ray Marine EV1 at:

http://themarineinstallersrant.blogspot ... pilot.html

By the way, The Marine Installer's rant, by Bill Bishop is a wonderful read, plus a great source of information!

Finally the more logical Garmin GHP 10, with the 20 pump set because of the engine/hydraulic size. Probably going to be your best bet, shadow drive, and it works well with the new Garmin chart plotter.
 
Short note on AutoPilot (AP).

When I first got the boat (It came with AP) (RayMarine). Didn't use it.
After a while.... learned how it worked -- EASY.
For a while...Used it frequently, single handing mostly. Much more relaxing trips.
Then it got unreliable. Been that way for most of 2 seasons. Drove me crazy.
And Finally. Replaced the old one. Replaced the heading sensor, then main control (brain box) and the helm control panel. ($$ouch).
NOW, it works in all three functions.
1. Push the button and it maintains current heading.
2. Run a cursor out to a spot on the plotter and push "Go to Cursor" and it does.
3. Will go to a waypoint from a list of waypoints.
All 3 with a couple of buttons pushed.
:D :D :D HAPPY Boater Again :D :D :D

IS it worth it. 5 years ago I would have said no. Now, I say yes. For long trips it makes it so much easier. Still have to watch and pay attention, but with much more comfort and less fatigue.

Since I have RayMarine already I stayed with them and put in the EV-1.

Congrats on the "found $$$" ENJOY

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I just read through Dr Bob's post and through the linked post "the Installers Rant"
That is the new AP in SleepyC now, per recommendations from Rodgers Marina, Portland OR.

BTW, my old RayMarine AP was replaced due to a loss of function in the main control (Brain) part of the system. This was most likely caused by a power surge, however it is not the first one they have replaced due to the old brain dying out.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
We find the AP to be Very handy - frankly I (now) wouldn't be without it.

A lot of us are now cruising at hull speed to extend range and save some $$$. AP is great in that regard. As we all know, going slow requires more helm movement to keep-on-course ... you're just constantly correcting this way, then 'that way. The AP takes care of that, and makes slow cruising even better.

The other time that we find the AP to be extremely useful is when visibility is reduced (darkness or fog). I remember one trip (Flamingo to Key West). I departed about 0330 ... dark, dark, dark. The GPS was working fine, but I was still watching the lighted markers along the route. Without the AP it would have been very easy to misread a marker, but the AP kept me on course. It just makes the "cockpit/helm workload" easier, and you can spend more time watching for stuff along the route rather than trying to follow a compass heading or GPS route.

Buy it; Use it....

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
I installed an EV 100 8 months ago. The installation was very simple, and the unit has worked without fault for approximately 50 hours. The pump is installed in the stbd lazzarete.
 
hardee":2ub0m4sr said:
Short note on AutoPilot (AP).

When I first got the boat (It came with AP) (RayMarine). Didn't use it.
After a while.... learned how it worked -- EASY.
For a while...Used it frequently, single handing mostly. Much more relaxing trips.
Then it got unreliable. Been that way for most of 2 seasons. Drove me crazy.
And Finally. Replaced the old one. Replaced the heading sensor, then main control (brain box) and the helm control panel. ($$ouch).
NOW, it works in all three functions.
1. Push the button and it maintains current heading.
2. Run a cursor out to a spot on the plotter and push "Go to Cursor" and it does.
3. Will go to a waypoint from a list of waypoints.
All 3 with a couple of buttons pushed.
:D :D :D HAPPY Boater Again :D :D :D

IS it worth it. 5 years ago I would have said no. Now, I say yes. For long trips it makes it so much easier. Still have to watch and pay attention, but with much more comfort and less fatigue.

Since I have RayMarine already I stayed with them and put in the EV-1.

Congrats on the "found $$$" ENJOY

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...

We are also having problems with Raymarine Autopilot. Can you tell me how much it cost for changing it to the system you went with. Also, how much of the previous system were you able to salvage?
 
I took it down to Portland, OR to Rodger's Marina and they did all the diagnostic, trouble shooting and R & R. The parts that were replaced were the control panel on the dash, the direction sensor, and the pump control. I think the major part of the brains are now in the direction sensor. The steering pump(s) and hydrolic lines, the tiller direction sensor and the SeaStar system stayed.

They also did some VHF radio work, AIS programming and some trailer work. It included replacing a multiplexer unit with a new and more programmable one, to allow a redundant AIS input to the MFD, should the primary AIS feed go out. (Duplicit redundancy!!) Total was close to 2.5 boat units.

They do a great job and really worked to get this one right.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Sure would like to but looks like not. Work constraints on time. Sure going to miss it.

Thanks for asking.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
This topic has great timing! I am looking to replace my broken Raymarine autopilot and have been looking at the EV 100 for my CD 22. How easy are they to install? Any installation photos or information would be very helpful, such as where the best place to put the hydraulic pump etc...

Have you been able to hook it up to NMEA 183 equipment?

Thanks
 
My Raymarine AP used to not correct enough. I bumped "Response" up to 6 after relearning the AP as a fishing boat. Here are my settings that work well. In case it helps someone in future. I also believe if the handheld batteries go dead, the settings could revert to default, making it important to document the settings.

IMG_2183.jpg
 
Floyd, if hyou are looking for install info, the site Dr Bob posted was a good read.

"There is a great overview of the new Ray Marine EV1 at:

http://themarineinstallersrant.blogspot ... pilot.html

By the way, The Marine Installer's rant, by Bill Bishop is a wonderful read, plus a great source of information! "
Click to expand...

I didn't do the work myself so it went easy --- for me.

Chromer???? are those settings, and talk about battery on Handheld, dealing with a remote for the AP? I'm guessing.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
hardee":2gc470ze said:
I took it down to Portland, OR to Rodger's Marina and they did all the diagnostic, trouble shooting and R & R. The parts that were replaced were the control panel on the dash, the direction sensor, and the pump control. I think the major part of the brains are now in the direction sensor. The steering pump(s) and hydrolic lines, the tiller direction sensor and the SeaStar system stayed.

They also did some VHF radio work, AIS programming and some trailer work. It included replacing a multiplexer unit with a new and more programmable one, to allow a redundant AIS input to the MFD, should the primary AIS feed go out. (Duplicit redundancy!!) Total was close to 2.5 boat units.

They do a great job and really worked to get this one right.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...

Do you know if they fixed the Autopilot without it being on the water?
Im having problems and trying to figure out how to troubleshoot it myself.
 
No, the work was done with the boat on the water. I had to leave it there for the week. They (MartyK) mostly did all the engineering. They swapped out each section, confirming if it worked or not, and when they got done it was done right.

Rodger's Marina in Portland, OR on the Columbia River.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I am having a bit of trouble trying to figure out what kind of hydraulic Steering I have on my 2001 22 Cruiser. I have not been able to see any kind of identifying information on any of the parts except on the wheel mechanism which has Teleflex.

20140614_133829.jpg

here is a picture of my Ram

20140614_132827.jpg


I would like to install the Ev-100 system but I need to get hose/connectors etc. for the job

Thanks
 
I have the same helm/steering. As Jody says, it is cable steering. Check out "Teleflex No Feeback" for the type.

I am likely going to switch to hydraulic (I'm sure it will be fun to wrangle that beast of a cable out of the boat!). Reasons being that the cable tires me out after a couple of hours, and also it seems easier to get a modern autopilot with the hydraulic steering.

PS: Is that the bottom of a Yamaha F80 I see? If so, I bet our boats might be siblings from the same dealer (Three Rivers Marine, Crystal River, FL). Seems they sold a lot of 22's in the late 90's and early 2000's, and were putting on Yamaha engines (usually the F80) when most C-Dorys were getting Hondas. Do you have the nifty custom door/hatch screens and window covers from JP Canvas? :)
 
Thanks guys for the feedback

I was hoping my upgrade of my autopilot would be easy, I always believed Murphy was an optimist!

I know the boat was purchased first in California but my owners manual says Kent Washington. Rick & Donna put in all the window coverings and bug proofing but not sure if they did the work themselves.

I am wondering how big a deal it would be to convert to hydraulic or is there a great autopilot solution for a cable system out there?
 
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