My boat is an H34 weighing 11,820lbs dry. I'm in the process of shopping for an autopilot and have received several recommendations to purchase the Raymarine EV-100. I would appreciate feedback on this unit regarding installation, reliability and energy consumption. Recommendations/experience with other AP units that may be superior would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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I installed the Raymarine X5 Wheel Pilot on my H34 three years ago. Very easy installation as far as these things go. Never had a problem with its' operation in my sailing waters of the middle Chesapeake. I don't recall the exact power consumption but it has never been a problem. I often go out for 2-4 days with a few 5-7 day trips each year. No issues.
Good luck with your decision.
Joe Mullee
Good luck with your decision.
Joe Mullee
I can't give a firsthand report on the EV-100 other than what I have just read. It appears it is meant for hydraulically steered boats. If that's what you require then you could proceed. Otherwise, I have now had a year's service out of a Raymarine wheel mounted X-5. It is performing well on the same boat as yours. When its really windy we do have to go to manual steering as it becomes overpowered (overcorrecting back and forth). The Raymarine interfaces easily with a GPS signal to follow a route, or course. My friend has wind instruments and that interface allows course adjustment to maintain constant wind angle.
1. I suggest you Google your model and find more feedback.
2. If energy use is a perceived issue for you, I recommend that you examine your total DC SYSTEM, and most normally increase the size of your house bank. Most APs use a tiny amount of power. If you have a fridge, it's 60 ah per day, 24 hours. A good AP, or even a poor one, would use a fraction of that.
3. Many wheel pilots are easy to use but may struggle with boats larger than 16K. Our C34s and the C36s are at the edge of wheel pilot "strength."
4. Below deck APs are the next step up and are more reliable in larger boats and more challenging seas.
Your boat, your choice.
Good luck in your selection and choice.
2. If energy use is a perceived issue for you, I recommend that you examine your total DC SYSTEM, and most normally increase the size of your house bank. Most APs use a tiny amount of power. If you have a fridge, it's 60 ah per day, 24 hours. A good AP, or even a poor one, would use a fraction of that.
3. Many wheel pilots are easy to use but may struggle with boats larger than 16K. Our C34s and the C36s are at the edge of wheel pilot "strength."
4. Below deck APs are the next step up and are more reliable in larger boats and more challenging seas.
Your boat, your choice.
Good luck in your selection and choice.
How much wind is too much for the X5?
Allan:
You mention that you need to go manual when the wind is too high because the x5 gets over powered. How windy does it have to be to overpower the system? I ask because I also have an H34 and am considering the X5 and I am in Berkely. The thing is: It's always windy in SF bay.
Allan:
You mention that you need to go manual when the wind is too high because the x5 gets over powered. How windy does it have to be to overpower the system? I ask because I also have an H34 and am considering the X5 and I am in Berkely. The thing is: It's always windy in SF bay.
Re: How much wind is too much for the X5?
Concerning the X5, last week I was in the Chesapeake for three days of sailing. The sustained winds were great for the bay at around 18 knots with gusts to the low 20's. The waves were 2-3'. On all points of sail the X5 had no problem. I have the same boat as you.
Hope this helps.
Joe Mullee
Concerning the X5, last week I was in the Chesapeake for three days of sailing. The sustained winds were great for the bay at around 18 knots with gusts to the low 20's. The waves were 2-3'. On all points of sail the X5 had no problem. I have the same boat as you.
Hope this helps.
Joe Mullee
One of the things an AP teaches you is good sail trim. If you forget to trim properly and reef, your AP will NOT work.
I've been sailing our C34 on The Bay out of Alameda for 15 years now with an old ST3000 AP. It works just fine, but I reef the main and run an 85% jib during the summer months.
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