Are Raymarine Autopilots any good?

[ghostlymoron]

Raymarine no longer British company

Raymarine went into liquidation last week and was acquired by an American firm so no longer British owned unfortunately. Hopefully they will continue to manufacture in Poole.

 

[Tranona]

Raymarine went into liquidation last week and was acquired by an American firm so no longer British owned unfortunately. Hopefully they will continue to manufacture in Poole.

Did not go into liquidation, but administration. Have never manufactured in Poole (are you thinking of long gone Seafarer?) and have been manufacturing in Hungary rather than Portsmouth for some time now! (and some of the bits in my new and failed autopilot were made in China). Firm has also been in and out of British and US ownership before!

However, hope they can improve their products with new investment etc.

 

[Quandary]

Is the type you got one that disconnects when not in use ? If not then what is the drag like ? AAMOGI, is there a way of dis/connecting the "below decks" versions of these drives when they are not in use ? (Apart from delving into the nether regions of the boat armed with scredrivers etc, I mean).

Boo2

There is no detectable drag from the below cockpit Raymarine 6000 pilot on my boat when it is on standby, steering is still fingertip and there is certainly no need to consider disconnecting. The hydraulic rams versions may possibly be different, all of mine so far have been linear, acting directly on an arm on the rudder shaft.

 

[davidwf]

Octopus RS Drive Drag

Is the type you got one that disconnects when not in use ? If not then what is the drag like ? AAMOGI, is there a way of dis/connecting the "below decks" versions of these drives when they are not in use ? (Apart from delving into the nether regions of the boat armed with scredrivers etc, I mean).

Boo2

The drive is left connected as its got an electric clutch that engages / disengages it. I don't feel any drag when disengaged.

If you really wanted to disconnect it in an emergency you just pull the D pin out of the tiller pin as per any drive.

 

[TQA]

This wheel pilot has a good rep

http://www.cptautopilot.com/order.php

See the testimonials.