EV100 Wheel Pilot

[Pb2388]

Just to let everyone know as there are sceptics out there with regard to the performance capabilities of the EV100 Wheel Pilot, I found this unit performed pretty much perfectly for me on a recent voyage. In brief.

Fitted by myself to a Hunter 30 Cherubini (1976) in middle River Maryland
Cost about $1350
Did not fit a rudder indicator

Sailed/motored
1 Down ICW
2 Across Okeechobee canal to Fort Myers
3 Fort Myers to Dry Tortugas (48Hrs) wind on the nose 15 - 20 Knots +
4 Fort Myers to Isla Mujeres (72Hrs) Running/8ft seas 20Knots +
5 Isla to Cozumel Beam seas 6-8Ft 15 - 25 knots (15hrs)
6 Cozumel to Belize inside reef 6ft beam seas 15-20 knots ((48hrs)
7 Up Rio Dulce to Lake Isabella

Bottom line the Wheel Pilot performed perfectly in everything that was thrown at it. Yes it snakes a bit but it can steer a better course than me over a couple of hours.

Main settings used

Rudder slow turn
Response levels were alternated between cruising and performance

Hope this helps the forum members.

 

[jssailem]

Good info PB. I recently sailed/motored 150nm in the Northern Puget Sound. Not the sailing weather you experienced. Did have to transit rip tides, whirl pools and 5 knot currents from all directions.
The AP made solo cruising possible. There were times that the motor was in constant motion. Do like the ability to set different levels of control... Cruise, to race...