[C320-list] Raymarine EV100 Wheel Autopilot/B&G Vulcan

[Doug Treff]

I have the Raymarine EV-100 and I agree with all the others. If I had to do over, I would take the time to install the below deck unit. I find the Wheel Pilot to be underpowered for all but calm seas. I use it primarily when motoring in calm weather or sailing on flat water and light winds. I often have issues with the lever coming disengaged as well. I never leave it unattended for more than a minute or two which kind of defeats the purpose of hands-free steering.

Regarding mixing brands, I have a Garmin MFD and it works just fine with my AP. I can steer a course, to a waypoint, and also relative to a wind angle. the NMEA sentences on the network should be standard and it should work for you.

Bottom line, if I had a do-over, and a higher budget, I would choose a below deck system.

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Doug Treff
doug at treff.us

On Thu, Nov 25, 2021, at 5:22 PM, Mark Calisti wrote:
> I’m doing initial research on an autopilot and leaning towards the 
> Raymarine EV100 Wheel Autopilot Pack. Seems like an easier 
> installation, much lower cost than below the deck options, and meets 
> our relatively simplistic needs. I have the B&G Vulcan chart plotter. 
> It does not appear that B&G has a similar “wheel pack” offering. Anyone 
> with the Raymarine/B&G configuration? If so, would appreciate pros/cons 
> we should assess before purchasing.
>
> Thank you,
> Mark Calisti
> Solomons, MD
> #749