Looking to install a wheel pilot on our 1997 Beneteau 321.Will the latest version of the Raymarine wheel pilot work with a B&G system.
Thanks in advance for any and all input
Thanks in advance for any and all input
Wheel Pilot
- Thread starter Beneteau
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,197
Your boat is about 11,000 lbs loaded, 9700 lbs displacement. This is in the sweet spot for the Ev100 system. IMO the system will serve the needs of a majority of boats like yours. I find it's limits are severe weather, excessive size/displacement (above 17,000 lbs) and battery power on board.
I installed one on my 16,000 lbs boat 2 months ago and find it does a great job motoring in moderate weather, and sailing based on battery capacity. I would not be comfortable using it in open ocean, 10 ft quartering seas and 20 knot breezes. I think you would wear the motor out and/or drain your batteries. Perhaps lose control of the boat. The week link is the motor controlling the wheel. Additionally, you need to place your boat in a balanced sailing condition to effectively use the system. If you have a heavy weather or lee helm when you trim the sails you will find the motor burning up trying to fight the helm.
All that said. I like the system. It steers a straighter course then many of the crew I have had on board. Sailing solo it is a second pair of hands to manage the boat. I figure I'll just replace the motor should I work it to death.
If you have a heavy boat then you will find the EV200/EV400 a better fit. These use a linear / hydraulic motor system. While heavier motors require greater battery systems they are more efficient at handling the demands of larger boats.
I installed one on my 16,000 lbs boat 2 months ago and find it does a great job motoring in moderate weather, and sailing based on battery capacity. I would not be comfortable using it in open ocean, 10 ft quartering seas and 20 knot breezes. I think you would wear the motor out and/or drain your batteries. Perhaps lose control of the boat. The week link is the motor controlling the wheel. Additionally, you need to place your boat in a balanced sailing condition to effectively use the system. If you have a heavy weather or lee helm when you trim the sails you will find the motor burning up trying to fight the helm.
All that said. I like the system. It steers a straighter course then many of the crew I have had on board. Sailing solo it is a second pair of hands to manage the boat. I figure I'll just replace the motor should I work it to death.
If you have a heavy boat then you will find the EV200/EV400 a better fit. These use a linear / hydraulic motor system. While heavier motors require greater battery systems they are more efficient at handling the demands of larger boats.
I have the Raymarine MkII wheel pilot with the EV1 course computer and head, similar to @jssailem, and love it. I agree that it would not be something to use in heavy seas or offshore, but for coastal cruising in Puget Sound it works great.
I have a Raymarine chart plotter and other bits and pieces, and also a B&G chart plotter. You will find challenges in using a non-Raymarine chart plotter with the auto pilot. In some cases, you can have the auto pilot follow a track, but that's about it. I haven't done it in a while, so I can try when I get back to the boat in the next few days and report back. If you want better integration, and the ability to do more complex routes and tracks, you'll need a Raymarine plotter.
I have a Raymarine chart plotter and other bits and pieces, and also a B&G chart plotter. You will find challenges in using a non-Raymarine chart plotter with the auto pilot. In some cases, you can have the auto pilot follow a track, but that's about it. I haven't done it in a while, so I can try when I get back to the boat in the next few days and report back. If you want better integration, and the ability to do more complex routes and tracks, you'll need a Raymarine plotter.
I have an older Wheel Pilot on my O'Day 322 (about the same size/displacement as your Bene).
It works fine in moderate conditions, and for somewhat limited duration.
As others have said, battery drain and wearing out /over taxing the wheel drive motor in heavy seas for long duration.
Greg
It works fine in moderate conditions, and for somewhat limited duration.
As others have said, battery drain and wearing out /over taxing the wheel drive motor in heavy seas for long duration.
Greg