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

[Ian Neale]

Hi,

We have an EV 100 on the boat and agree it is limited when the going gets a little tougher. This said we are happy with it as we installed it to use in light conditions when motoring or when sailing two handed for sail changes, spinnaker or using the in mast furling which really need two people to keep the sail wrap tight. 

In the end I’m depends on when you plan to use the Autopilot. I have noticed it limitations come to the fore when you have a trailing sea, frankly with any sort of decent sized trailing sea I like to be on the wheel as a 320 gets a little wobbly in those conditions. 

Cheers, Ian. 

Sent from. my iPhone

> On Nov 27, 2021, at 12:00 PM, ptormey at 4square.net wrote:
> 
> Just to add to the underdeck autopilot notes. The ram connects directly to rudder post which means it'll still steer even if you lose cabling to the quadrant. 
> BUT beware you need to brace the ram with some pretty hefty backing plates AND you need to buy and modify an Edson rudderpost arm. That'll add a few bucks to the install.
> I followed Jeff Hare's advice for my install last year and it went very well.
> 
> I have a Garmin 7607 chartplotter and upgraded the network to the RayTalk NMEA 2000 and added a multiplexer device to convert the analog stuff to MEA 2000. 
> 
> Pat Tormey
> Blue Skies s/v
> Newport, RI USA
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Doug Treff
> Sent: Friday, November 26, 2021 3:28 PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raymarine EV100 Wheel Autopilot/B&G Vulcan
> 
> 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.
> 
> --
> 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
>