Raymarine EV-200

Jun 3, 2004
37
Beneteau 423 Chicago
I am planning to purchase and install an EV-200 autohelm to my 423.
Does anyone have a recommended location for the hydraulic unit?
How does it attach to the stem of the rudder?
Any help would be appreciated.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Take very careful measurements before you begin this installation. The rudder can only turn a max of 35 degrees so rudder stop modifications will usually need to be made. To attach the linear drive to the rudder post a custom machined tiller arm from Edson or PYI will usually be required. I prefer the bronze tiller arms from Edson, they run about $500.00. Measure for this VERY, VERY carefully as there is no returns on custom machined parts!!

You do not want to use the radial drive as your connection point for the linear drive. It is extremely important that the linear drive be installed 90 degrees to the tiller arm and that it enters the tiller arm from either port/stbd or fore/aft with no more than a 5 degree offset/angle preferably 0 degree.

I have not done one on your boat but most boats require extensive glass work in order to properly mount the linear drive. Linear drives can exert upwards of 1000 pounds of force to the hull connection points and rudder shaft.

Drilling the rudder post and tiller arm, with the rudder in the boat, is a royal PITA and can take as much as two to four hours, with a SS shaft, so you don't work harden it.
 
Oct 3, 2008
325
Beneteau 393 Chesapeake Bay
Don't almost all B423's have an autopilot already installed? Changing to the EV200 does not mean you need to replace the linear drive unit, just the electronics.
 
Jun 3, 2004
37
Beneteau 423 Chicago
If the unit is factory installed on most 423's
Then can you help me with the following:
1) Where is it exactly located?
2) Do I need to reinforce the location?
3) Does the arm attach directly to the rudder stem or is it attached to the aluminum wheel that is attached to the rudder stem?

Can someone please take a look at their boat and let me know what the factory did?

Thanks
Dave
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
If the unit is factory installed on most 423's
Then can you help me with the following:
1) Where is it exactly located?
2) Do I need to reinforce the location?
3) Does the arm attach directly to the rudder stem or is it attached to the aluminum wheel that is attached to the rudder stem?

Can someone please take a look at their boat and let me know what the factory did?

Thanks
Dave
why not contact the factory in Marion SC and give them you (Hin/serial number) number and ask if they have the original delivery records intailing what was on your boat in the beginning
 
Jun 3, 2004
37
Beneteau 423 Chicago
Nothing was on the boat originally.
However, I do know Ward and Todd at the Beneteau factory, but wanted to use them as a last resort.

Really looking for input from other owners on how their units are installed