[C320-list] Raymarine Evolution EV-100 Wheel Autopilot

[Greg Flanagan]

Hear, hear!

Thanks,

Greg
Hoop Dancer #1076
Sidney, BC

> On Jan 30, 2023, at 6:31 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Pat:
> 
> You’re right about following seas. I just accept that I have to be behind the wheel in those conditions. The right way to view the EV 100 is that it provides relief to you when the wind is not 25 knots and the seas are not 6-8 feet from behind.
> 
> To others: The EV 100 does not have the detailed settings that the 4000 had. I have mine set for cruising mode to limit amps consumption. But I think you have to pay a lot of attention to the set-up protocol outlined in the manual. I suspect it’s easy to get something wrong and cause problems.
> 
> My setup is also a little primitive in that I rely on the digital compass and not an external GPS link through Seatalk. Still, it doesn’t cause problems. My tablet/chartplotter and the autopilot disagree by a few degrees, but that’s not an issue.
> 
> In defending the EV 100, I have to point out that I started sailing 43 years ago, with a handheld compass and a fold-up chart. No depth sounder. When we ran aground, we jumped overboard, pushed and hoped we were heading toward deeper water.
> 
> Back in the day, if you ever hoped to grab a beer from the cooler or take a pee, you had to learn how to balance your boat with sails when you went off single-handing. It was standard. Interestingly, modern boats such as the 320 are much easier to balance than the old long keelers.
> 
> All of this gear now is a luxury to me. Until five years ago, I sailed with a handheld Garmin, paper charts, an ST4000 autopilot and a depth sounder. Nothing else. I made many good trips.
> 
> So my best advice is to get out on your 320, tighten the wheel brake a little and try to steer your boat with sails. It’s kind of fun. And it’s not hard to learn. Once you get it down, you will find the EV 100 to be a perfectly good autopilot under normal conditions.
> 
> Under normal conditions, my EV 100 does not move the wheel more than a couple of inches in either direction. That’s not going to strip plastic gears or stretch the belt.
> 
> When the seas get rough, you have to be behind the wheel, no matter what your autopilot is. The 320’s free-standing rudder is vulnerable, and you have to be there to react to conditions. The autopilot also doesn’t see when a big wave is coming out of nowhere.
> 
> I guess I’m just an old, cranky guy. But damn, you bought your boats to sail them. Don’t expect technology to do all of the work. Ideally, it just takes some of the guesswork out of sailing and gives you a break when you need it.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
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> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows
> 
> From: ptormey 4square.net via C320-list<mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
> Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2023 6:05 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Cc: ptormey 4square.net<mailto:ptormey at 4square.net>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raymarine Evolution EV-100 Wheel Autopilot
> 
> I "enjoyed" the wheel pilot for several years before I realized it was easily overpowered by following seas. Looking at the rudder you'll see that it isn't 'balanced'; the rudder post is well forward of center. This means that any force hitting it is only opposed but the rudder, the post and the quadrant and cables and with just the plastic drive against the wheel pilot drive belt.
> 
> That's a lot for force for a motor running just a few amps. More importantly it fails when needed most.
> 
> I switched to a linear drive which connects directly to the rudder post and never worried about it again.
> 
> 
> Pat
> Pat Tormey
> s/v Blues Skies
> Newport RI
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