Autopilot!

The Spring Defender sale somehow kicked me into purchasing some items that I've been wanting for years. The Admiral approved these 'safety' features and prices were 50+% off retail with a $200 rebate from Raymarine so that was all I needed.

My last install this year is the Raymarine Evolution EV-100 Wheel Autopilot Pack w/ P70 Control Head. Hmmm, I might have to switch from my Garmin chart plotter, GPS, sounder unit to a newer Raymarine a Series, c Series, e Series or gS Series MFD Pilot Control... next year.



I've never used an autopilot so this year will require some experimentation. I didn't want to drill any new holes in fiberglass right off, as the end game would be to ultimately control the autopilot from the pedestal. But I need to know more about how the P-70 control unit might be adversely affected by the compass magnets, and the displays resistance to weather. More importantly, I need to answer the question, do I stay with my tried and true Garmin 178C GPS chart plotter, or make the switch to one of the new Raymarine systems above. Hmmm, time will tell.

For this season, I installed the unit aft of the starboard cubby. Next season, perhaps a new pedestal, with a nav pod that can accommodate all the navigation equipment for a trip around Vancouver Island, and beyond.



The ACU-100 Control Unit and EV-1 Sensor Core are located just below the in the starboard lazarette.