Raymarine Autopilot Remote Control
- Thread starter BigEasy
- Start date
I can't answer those questions for the RCU-1 specifically. However, we have a wireless remote for our B&G AP.
We have never used it. Remotes sound like a good thing, but I haven't had any case where it was more convenient or useful than just using the AP control head itself. For those times where course corrections or direction changes are to be made, I always want to be at the helm near the plotter to ensure that the changes are appropriate, and to be ready to take over the wheel if something goes wrong. For those times where we are threading our way through a coral reef, I don't want to be controlling the boat from the bow with an AP remote, and one of us is bow watch then giving directions to the helm.
I can't think of a single use case for us where a remote control is useful or more convenient.
Perhaps single handers would have a different opinion, but I'm not sure mine would be different if I was single handing.
Mark
Edit: I just looked at the RCU-1. It has two features our B&G does not. The point and go function is just silly, so I discount that. However, it seems to have a solo sailor function that turns the boat into the wind if the person falls overboard. This might be useful for a solo sailor.
I would be concerned that it is triggered simply by loss of bluetooth connection, and that might mean some surprising unexpected boat movement if the remote batteries go dead or the remote signal is blocked by something. The latter can be more common than you expect, as bluetooth tends to be squirrely this way. We have several BT device on our boat where I lose connection to them when I am in certain areas of the boat. Not because I have moved outside of range, but because some combination of fixed things between me and the device are causing problems.
Also should note that while the AP might turn the boat into the wind, this will be a very temporary thing, as once boat speed is lost, then the AP has no control over it anymore. The boat could tack/jibe and take off in a different direction, the AP gains control again and turns it up again (if doing so repeatedly is part of its function), etc, etc, until one has no chance of getting back to the boat.
We have never used it. Remotes sound like a good thing, but I haven't had any case where it was more convenient or useful than just using the AP control head itself. For those times where course corrections or direction changes are to be made, I always want to be at the helm near the plotter to ensure that the changes are appropriate, and to be ready to take over the wheel if something goes wrong. For those times where we are threading our way through a coral reef, I don't want to be controlling the boat from the bow with an AP remote, and one of us is bow watch then giving directions to the helm.
I can't think of a single use case for us where a remote control is useful or more convenient.
Perhaps single handers would have a different opinion, but I'm not sure mine would be different if I was single handing.
Mark
Edit: I just looked at the RCU-1. It has two features our B&G does not. The point and go function is just silly, so I discount that. However, it seems to have a solo sailor function that turns the boat into the wind if the person falls overboard. This might be useful for a solo sailor.
I would be concerned that it is triggered simply by loss of bluetooth connection, and that might mean some surprising unexpected boat movement if the remote batteries go dead or the remote signal is blocked by something. The latter can be more common than you expect, as bluetooth tends to be squirrely this way. We have several BT device on our boat where I lose connection to them when I am in certain areas of the boat. Not because I have moved outside of range, but because some combination of fixed things between me and the device are causing problems.
Also should note that while the AP might turn the boat into the wind, this will be a very temporary thing, as once boat speed is lost, then the AP has no control over it anymore. The boat could tack/jibe and take off in a different direction, the AP gains control again and turns it up again (if doing so repeatedly is part of its function), etc, etc, until one has no chance of getting back to the boat.
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We have a B&G AP with the remote. There are times it has been very useful. In inclement weather we keep the remote in a pocket and use it to make minor alterations in our course. Our hands stay warmer this way. We seldom use it away from the helm for the same reasons Mark doesn't use it. Our course changes are minor and we want to see the chart when we make changes. It is seldom used when sailing in open water, with the sails up the AP is set to steer to the wind.
If we had a steering failure due to a broken cable or quadrant, the remote would make steering easier and less tiring than using the emergency tiller. We have no real life experience with this condition.
As far as installation, the B&G remote simply plugs into the N2K network and it is good to go.
If we had a steering failure due to a broken cable or quadrant, the remote would make steering easier and less tiring than using the emergency tiller. We have no real life experience with this condition.
As far as installation, the B&G remote simply plugs into the N2K network and it is good to go.
Wouldn't the AP controller work for this too?
I guess we do have the remote in case we lose our controller (no other way to control the AP), so admittedly it is good for that.
I looked up the RCU-1 installation and it is the same as B&G - plug the receiver into the N2K network and good to go. As easy as it gets.
But $550 - definitely not worth that to us. Our remote was tossed in as a package deal for the entire system, which is the only reason we have one.
Mark
RE: If so, is the convenience worth the cost and was the installation process relatively easy?
I have a Raymarine tillerpilot with a remote controller that came with the boat. I played with it 5 years ago and haven't used it since.
However I went to the Raymarine page and check the unit that you are interested in ($299 USD).
There was the usual blurb, "Intuitive Control" and "Built for the Marine environment".
www.raymarine.com
However there are became aware of some interesting features.
Gary
I have a Raymarine tillerpilot with a remote controller that came with the boat. I played with it 5 years ago and haven't used it since.
However I went to the Raymarine page and check the unit that you are interested in ($299 USD).
There was the usual blurb, "Intuitive Control" and "Built for the Marine environment".
RCU-1 | Wireless Boat Autopilot Remote
RCU‑1 wireless autopilot remote completes any autopilot on your boat. Bright display, Point‑and‑Go nav and Solo Sailor mode for easy control.
www.raymarine.com
Gary
We don't have a controller, we control the AP with either of the 2 chart plotters onboard or the remote which is just a fob, nothing fancy.
$299 is just for the controller. The receiver, which is required to use the controller, is an additional $250.
Mark
I have a different Raymarine unit than you are referencing. Mine allows steering and also repeats speed, depth, wind, and way point info. I use it when I'm in the cockpit on the stern seat. I can relax, have an excellent view forward, and use the remote to dodge lobster pots.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,650
I posted about the Nauti-control I just bought, here
Just basic controls. I was busy today with installation of several items. Hopefully tomorrow I can go out and do a testing of the remote.
Disassemble ST4000 MK2 wheel unit
20 minutes of searching and to my surprise, you are right. All of the other units are tiller pilots, below deck or are using Raymarine's wheel unit @Ward H mentioned the CPT autopilot above. It's been my experience that unit is about the least expensive option you can get to replace this kind...
forums.sailboatowners.com
Just basic controls. I was busy today with installation of several items. Hopefully tomorrow I can go out and do a testing of the remote.
Thanks for the input; much appreciated.
I had a Simrad WIRED remote on my previous boat; it was too cumbersome to use because of the 30 foot cord. The Raymarine wireless remote has the advantage of being usable anywhere on the boat & should a solo sailor fall overboard; the controller could help save a MOB. Might be a good safety device when soloing.
I had a Simrad WIRED remote on my previous boat; it was too cumbersome to use because of the 30 foot cord. The Raymarine wireless remote has the advantage of being usable anywhere on the boat & should a solo sailor fall overboard; the controller could help save a MOB. Might be a good safety device when soloing.
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jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,650
I got the unit connected to my SeatalkNG today. The cable provided plugs into the network with a white SeatalkNG cable. Power is supplied be the network. There is a 6 button remote provided. I started the AP and the remote functioned like the P70 controller
1 degree left or right. #’s 1 or 2
10 degrees left or right. #’s 3 or 4
# 5 = Standby
# 6 = activate AP.
It functioned sitting at the dock as described.
Plan is the take the boat out tomorrow and see what happens. Initially function is promising.
1 degree left or right. #’s 1 or 2
10 degrees left or right. #’s 3 or 4
# 5 = Standby
# 6 = activate AP.
It functioned sitting at the dock as described.
Plan is the take the boat out tomorrow and see what happens. Initially function is promising.
I have the Raymarine S100 remote, and have installed it on several prior boats too. Been using it for many years. It‘s my primary method of controlling the AP, even though the P70 is less than 3 ft from my helm seat, and I use it frequently to tweak our course…. Whether for a 30-degree course adjustment to pass a wake on an easier angle, or 10-degrees correction to dodge a fish trap buoy, or smaller adjustment for currents.
I like the button feel better than the spongy feel of the P70 and I can keep it with me for quick access as I move around or choose to leave the helm for shady spot. Bottom line - I will always install a remote on any full size boat I own.
I like the button feel better than the spongy feel of the P70 and I can keep it with me for quick access as I move around or choose to leave the helm for shady spot. Bottom line - I will always install a remote on any full size boat I own.
Thanks for the update John. Appears that installation is relatively painless! Did you interface your phone to the controller yet? What is the cost of the unit? Something about that name, “Nauti- controller” has a perverse ring to it!
I added a Smart Pilot several years ago. My opinion is yes, it’s well worth the cost. it was installed by a Marine Electronics Tech. I took him a little over an hour so the cost for that was reasonable.
I’ll ditto what Rich Stidger said. It gives you great visibility from the stern seats and really convenient for dodging lobster pots here in New England, especially in Maine.
I’ll ditto what Rich Stidger said. It gives you great visibility from the stern seats and really convenient for dodging lobster pots here in New England, especially in Maine.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,650
Install was a breeze. Plug and play and secure the “black box” to the boat. Pretty simple idea. It inserts control messages into th backbone, and the ACU recognizes the data as it coming from the P70. Reaction to inputs was instantanious.
Have not yet tried the phone access, that will be next. I think it should be straight forward. Just not sure weather it is Bluetooth of WiFi.
The remote they provided is not expensive. I found several replacements on the internet. Just will need to pair the unit. It does use a tiny battery I will need to get spares.
Unit cost $208 included shipping and import duty. A whole lot less than other options.
Once ordered they provided the following guidance.
Quick start guide for when you receive your box to get you up and running.
Quick Start Guide – Nauti-Control
Free Apps Available
Android Mobile App
Nauti Control Mobile - Apps on Google Play
Wear OS App
Nauti-Control Wear - Apps on Google Play
iPhone App
Nauti-Control Mobile App - App Store
Apple Watch App
Nauti-Control Wear App - App Store
Garmin Watch
Connect IQ Store | Watch Faces and Apps | Garmin
YouTube Channel
Subscribe for firmware updates, tutorials and feature walkthroughs:
https://www.youtube.com/@Nauti-Control?sub_confirmation=1
For installation/Setup see our support docs
Support – Nauti-Control
First Time Use
Before heading out on the water, we recommend testing the system in a safe and controlled environment to ensure everything is working as expected.
I know that RM markets the P70 to sailboats and the P70r to powerboats, and I see few sailboats with a P70r, but the P70r with the rotary knob is much better for sailboats too. And they are the same price. I can't see any reason to have the +/-1,10 buttons when turning a click knob is so much easier with better user feedback.
Having said that, our backup AP uses a P70 because I got it cheap, so I understand how much you dislike those spongy push buttons on it. Our primary AP has a rotary knob.
Mark
