Raymarine autopilots

[Isleña]

Will the raymarine EV-200 sail AP with type1 linear drive steer our cruising loaded P365s in heavy weather? Displacement 17700 lbs + 20% fully laden = 21400 lbs. Getting close to Raymarine's current upper limit of 24000lbs. Anyone have experience with the type1 drive?

[SailingSeaDragon]

I have an older S1G with a type 1 linear drive on board Sea Dragon and I am very happy with its performance. The older unit can really consumes the "amps" in heavy conditions. But handles the boat in any conditions I have been in with ease.

Garner

[Sailorlou]

I have had the Ray Autopilot aboard for the last three years and am also very pleased with its performance.  I have 295 watt solar panel array and a wind generator and I ran the autopilot 24 hours a day on a three day passage down the west coast and never needed to start the engine to charge batteries.  I also had the refrigerator running as well as lights and the chart-plotter.  During the time I have been here in Mexico the solar power and wind generator supply most of my needs.  I do fire up the engine whenever I run the water-maker.

[SVJourney]

I am sure that would be enough autopilot for the boat.  We use an X-5 wheel pilot for the last 2 years cruising and it has only failed once during heavy conditions, where I was seriously overdriving the boat.  The X-5 is rated for 16k lbs and we are probably pushing 21k lbs with our cruising load.  If I were to upgrade to linear, I would choose exactly the drive you are considering.

Cheers!
Wayne
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