Autohelm retrofit advice sought.

[NickRobinson]

Having been all set to shell out for a Raymarine EV100 wheelpilot, I paused for (re)thought after reading here recently that under deck linear rams
were much preferred.
My Beneteau currently has no autohelm, cable operated dual wheels and an above deck emergency tiller position. This all works well with no lash.
Can I permanently fit a ram, ideally electric not hydraulic, to to auto steer but also allow manual steering without physically disconnecting, a la tiller pilot?
32' motorsailer, c.6t

 

[Rafiki]

Having been all set to shell out for a Raymarine EV100 wheelpilot, I paused for (re)thought after reading here recently that under deck linear rams
were much preferred.
My Beneteau currently has no autohelm, cable operated dual wheels and an above deck emergency tiller position. This all works well with no lash.
Can I permanently fit a ram, ideally electric not hydraulic, to to auto steer but also allow manual steering without physically disconnecting, a la tiller pilot?
32' motorsailer, c.6t

Subject to not knowing how much underdeck space you have to fit it, the answer is Yes

 

[NickRobinson]

Subject to not knowing how much underdeck space you have to fit it, the answer is Yes

Can you suggest a suitable ram or spec?

 

[prv]

Can you suggest a suitable ram or spec?

If you're sticking with Raymarine as you originally intended, it'll be the Type 1 Linear Drive.

Pete

 

[Martin_J]

Rams like the Raymarine linear drive (and others) incorporate an electromagnetic clutch. This internal clutch disengages as soon as the autopilot control is switched off auto mode and will therefore allow immediate manual turning of the wheel(s).

 

[PaulRainbow]

Can you suggest a suitable ram or spec?

Garmin Class B drive, Garmin core pack. Like i said in the other thread, about £500 cheaper than the Raymarine drive and i think the software is better.

"Why a Class B" i hear someone say, as the class B is for boats up to 24 tons. Well, as it's the same price as the Class A, why not ?

Garmin Class B Mechanical Linear Drive Unit - 010-12029-00

No connection with Hudson Marine (or Garmin)

 

[wully1]

Hudson Marine are good !

 

[LadyInBed]

If you're sticking with Raymarine as you originally intended, it'll be the Type 1 Linear Drive.

Pete

Mine has been going for 20 years now. Provided that they haven't changed the design, it's a well proven product.

 

[prv]

Mine has been going for 20 years now. Provided that they haven't changed the design, it's a well proven product.

Yes, although I wouldn't disagree with Paul's suggestion either. I said Raymarine because the OP was proposing an EV100 wheelpilot originally, and because it's the range I have and know.

My Type 1 drive was bought second-hand and is old enough that it says "Autohelm" on the case rather than "Raymarine". From whatever it was used with before, it's worked perfectly with my old S1 pilot and now my new Evo system, and just keeps truckin' along. It's in use almost constantly when we're under way since I don't especially enjoy steering most of the time.

Pete