Raymarine Evolution autopilot

[zikzik]

My old Autohelm ST2000 tiller pilot keeps packing up when it rains. It's pretty well recorded here that these units and the newer versions can suffer similar problems. I mostly sail single handed so rely on it at times and when motoring.

I also have a reach back from the cockpit of my Contessa 26 to adjust it, so a remote would be handy. When costing a new unit, making a cover and adding a remote together, I am not far off the price of the basic tiller drive version of a Raymarine Evolution. Which should provide a waterproof unit with cockpit control.

Anyone using one? If so, are they worth the extra cost?

 

[Topcat47]

I'm still using my original Autohelm 2000. After many years, the motor threw a winding last month. A nice man in London is rewinding it for me. Should see me out. A lot cheaper than a new linear actuator from Raymarine, too.

 

[Cardo]

Raymarine are doing a deal where you get cash back for trading in your old autopilot, no matter what state it's in. May we worth considering?

http://www.raymarine.co.uk/view/?id=10135#.U_MLylZrj_E

 

[zikzik]

Thanks Cardo

I just looked at your link. It would mean paying £995 including their stated 36% discount. It is only £100 less than offer prices by some dealers however. It might be worth keeping the old ST2000 as a spare?

 

[maby]

The "Evolution" label only really applies to the new controller - the servos shipped (tiller actuators, wheel pilots and linear below-deck drives) remain the same as before. The new controller is certainly impressive - far easier setup than before and it seems to hold a good course.