raymarine autopilot for sailboat

7 Best Sailboat Autopilot Systems

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Essential in increasing efficiency, safety, and convenience, marine autopilots are a sailor's best friend when out there on the water. A properly operating sailboat autopilot will keep your sailboat on a selected course even in strong currents and winds and that why you need to go for the best sailboat autopilot.

Steering a sailboat is always fun. And even though many sailors are so good at it, some circumstances can make steering a boat on a straight line or the right course almost impossible. The tides, winds, and the complex hull-bottom designs can throw your sailboat off route and the adjustments that you have to make to return to course can be your voyage killers. Even if you have a crew that regularly sails with you, having an autopilot can help you stay on course and that's exactly why you need the best sailboat autopilot.

In the simplest term possible, an autopilot is an extra pair of hands that can help you in steering your sailboat on the right course. It is a self-steering device for powerboats or sailboats and even the most basic autopilot can help in holding your vessel on a pre-set compass course. Some advanced autopilots can even gather data from your boat and determine whether or not the boat is capable of handling the task in hand.

So whether you have a mechanically-steered boat or a tiller-steered sailboat, an autopilot is of great importance for both you and your boat. And it doesn't matter whether you want to explore your nearest lake for a day or want to sail to the Caribbean on your sailboat, it will make your job a lot easier, efficient, and safer. This is why we've put together this article to help you find the best sailboat autopilot. Read on and find which is best for you and your sailboat.

Table of contents

How to Choose the Best Sailboat Autopilot for Your Vessel

When it comes to choosing the best sailboat autopilot for your vessel, the easiest thing to do would be to go for an autopilot that can steer your sailboat in calm seas. However, this is not advisable since you want an autopilot that works perfectly under very demanding sea conditions. With that in mind, here are the most important things to consider when looking at the best sailboat autopilot for you. 

Speed of Helm Adjustment

The best way to measure the speed on an autopilot that's appropriate for your boat is by looking at the number of degrees per second of helm correction. As such a 40-feet boat requires 10 degrees per second, a 25-feet boat requires 15 degrees per second, and a 70-feet boat requires 5 degrees per second. 

An above-deck or below-deck Autopilot

Do you want an autopilot that's designed to be used above the deck or below the deck? Well, the most important thing is to choose an autopilot that matches the displacement of your boat. More importantly, above-deck autopilots are ideal if you have a smaller boat while below-deck autopilot is ideal if you have a larger boat.

The Steering System

What type of steering system does your boat have? It's important to understand whether your boat has rotary drives, linear drive, or hydraulic drives. 

Control Interfaces

You should choose what's perfect for you as far as the control interface is concerned because this is one of the most crucial parts of an autopilot. The best features to consider include ease of use, waterproof, intuitive display, backlit options, and compatibility with SimNet, SeaTalk, and NMEA 2000.

7 Best Sailboat Autopilots

Here are the 7 best sailboat autopilots.

Raymarine ST1000 Plus Tiller Pilot

(Best for Tiller-steered Sailboats)

The Raymarine ST100 Plus Tiller Pilot is a classic tiller pilot that's one of the best accessories for your sailboat and your everyday sailing escapades. It's designed in such a way that it can accept NMEA data while still offering accurate navigation thanks to its incredibly intelligent software.

This autopilot is designed with a backlit LCD to help you see your navigational data, locked course, and other important information that can make your sailing safer and much better. The fact that the backlit LCD works perfectly in low-light conditions is an added plus.

That's not all; the ST1000 comes with an AutoTack feature that works like an extra hand when you're engaged in other responsibilities. For example, it can tack the sailboat for you when you adjust the sails. Better still, this autopilot is fully-fitted with everything that you need to install it on your sailboat and use it.

• ‍ It's easy to use thanks to the simple six-button keypad
• It's perfect when sailing in the calm sea as well as in stormy conditions
• It is waterproof so you don't have to worry about it getting damaged
• Its intelligent software minimizes battery usage thereby prolonging its battery life
• Perfect for tiller-steered sailboats
• ‍ The 2-year warranty could be improved
• It's a bit heavier

Garmin Ghc 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control

(Best for Night Sailing)

If you're planning to go on a voyage, chances are you'll find yourself sailing overnight. With that in mind, you should go for an autopilot that works perfectly both during the day and at night. The Garmin Ghc 20 Marine Autopilot Helm Control is your best sailboat autopilot for these types of adventure.

This amazing autopilot is designed with a 4-inch display that can improve your nighttime readability. This display is glass-bonded and comes with an anti-glare lens that is essential in preventing fog and glare in sunny conditions. This is crucial in helping you maintain control in all conditions, both during the day and at night.

This autopilot also provides a 170-degree viewing angle. This is essential in viewing the display at almost any angle. So whether you're adjusting the sails up on the deck or grabbing an extra sheet below the deck, you can be able to look at the display and see what's going on. So whether a sailing vessel or a powerboat, this autopilot is easy to use thanks to its five-button control. 

• ‍ The five-button control makes it easy to use
• Comes with a bright 4-inch display
• The display works in all conditions thanks to its glass-bonded, anti-glare lens
• The display offers optimal view both during the day and at night
• It's compatible with other Garmin products
• ‍ Only good for sailboat under 40 feet in length
• The battery life should be improved

Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot

(Best for 32-feet or less Sailboat)

For many lone sailors, going with a sailboat that measures 32-feet or less in length is always ideal. Under such scenarios, it's always best to go with a sailboat autopilot that's perfect for such types of boats, and the Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot can be a superb option for you. This autopilot is so perfect as it brings to the table a combination of advanced technological software and simplicity.

Its five-button display makes it user-friendly, easy to use, and perfect in controlling your sailboat accordingly. This autopilot has a low-power draw, which means that your battery will last longer even when used for prolonged periods. This is an excellent autopilot that's designed with the sailor in mind as it goes about its business quietly so that you can enjoy your sailing adventures without noise and interruption from a humming autopilot.

• ‍ One of the quietest sailboat autopilots
• The battery life is excellent
• It's designed with one of the most advanced software
• It's waterproof to protect it from spray and elements
• It offers precision steering and reading in all types of weather conditions
• It's easy to use and control
• ‍ Not ideal for big boats

Raymarine M81131 12 Volt Type 2 Autopilot Linear Drive

(Best for Seasonal Cruising)

For those of us who love cruising during winter when other sailors are drinking hot coffee from the comfort of their abodes, the Raymarine M81131 is the right sailboat autopilot for you. Well, this autopilot can be an ideal option if your sailboat is large enough to have a full motor system.

This autopilot is one of the most powerful in the marine industry and has an incredible electromagnetic fail-safe clutch. This autopilot is also compatible with other devices such as NMEA 2000 ABD SeaTalk navigation data. In terms of precision navigation, this autopilot will never disappoint you in any weather condition.

So whether you're looking to go ice-fishing or sailing the oceans during winter, this is your go-to autopilot.

• ‍ Offers optimal sailing experience and navigation precision
• It's very quiet
• It offers high performance with minimal battery usage
• It's great for adverse winter conditions 
• ‍ It's expensive

Furuno Navpilot 711C Autopilot System

(Best for Accuracy)

If you're looking for the best sailboat autopilot that will take your navigation to the next level in terms of accuracy, look no further than the Furuno Navpilot 711C. This is an autopilot that enhances your boat's precision as far as staying on course is concerned. This is because the autopilot is designed with a self-learning software program that offers step by step calculations of your navigation and course.

This autopilot also offers real-time dynamic adjustments so that you can steer your sailboat more accurately. Thanks to this self-learning algorithm also offers great power application that significantly reduces the manual helm effort when maneuvering various situations. Its colored graphic display is of great benefit as you can easily read the information even in low-light conditions. So it doesn't matter whether you're sailing at night or during the day, this autopilot will serve you right in any condition. 

• ‍ It's great for power and fuel efficiency
• The display is intuitive
• It's easy to set up and use
• Its power assist is essential in reducing steering system complexity
• Great for both outboard and inboard motors
• ‍ Quite expensive

Si-Tex SP120 Autopilot with Virtual Feedback

(The Most Affordable Autopilot)

If you're on a budget and looking for one of the most affordable yet reliable sailboat autopilots, look no further than the Si-Tex SP120 Autopilot. This is a perfect high-performance sailboat autopilot that can be great for small to medium-sized powerboats and sailboats.

One of the most important features that this autopilot brings to the table is the ability to offer virtual feedback. This is great in eliminating the manual rudder feedback and thereby enhances your sailboat's performance. Its splash-proof 4.3-inch LCD offers one of the best transflective displays in the marine industry. The 4-button operation makes it a lot easier to use and provides the information you need to steer your sailboat safely and perfectly.

This autopilot can be great for you if you have a small or medium-sized sailboat thanks to its ease of use. The fact that it's one of the most affordable sailboat autopilots makes it highly popular with sailors who are on a budget.

• ‍ It's simple to install and use
• The virtual feedback is great
• The display is one of the best in the game
• It's quite affordable
• ‍ It's not ideal for big boats

Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot

(Best for Outboard Motor Boats)

If you have a motorboat that has a single-engine outboard, The Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot can be an ideal option. This is a great autopilot that mitigates heading error and unnecessary rudder movement while offering more flexible mounting, which is essential in offering a more comfortable sailing even in the roughest of weather conditions.

This autopilot can be easily fine-tuned thanks to its throttle settings with a touch of a button. Of course, this can be useful especially when the seas are rough and you're trying to remain on course. This autopilot is also waterproof to ensure that it doesn't get damaged with spray or other elements.

With this autopilot, you're guaranteed to enjoy an awesome sailing trip even when going against the wind or when sailing in rough conditions. 

• ‍ Easy to install and use
• It's waterproof
• It's beautifully designed
• It comes with a floating handheld remote control
• It's great for maintaining heading hold and route.
• ‍ It's only ideal for motorboats with up to 20 horsepower
• It's relatively expensive

As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing an ideal sailboat autopilot for you. The best thing about the above-described sailboat autopilots is that they're among the best and you can find one that perfectly suits your unique needs and boats. Of course, most of them are quite expensive but they will advance the way you sail and make your sailing adventures even more enjoyable. We hope that you'll find the perfect sailboat autopilot for you.

Until next time, happy sailing!

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Autopilot Buyers Guide for sailing yachts

• Rupert Holmes
• September 6, 2021

Rupert Holmes looks at how to choose a suitable autopilot system for cruising yachts

There’s a bewildering array of options available for autopilot systems, which can make selecting the best for your yacht a daunting task.

Some manufacturers offer such a plethora of products covering everything from outboard-powered fishing boats to large motor yachts it can be difficult to pick out those that are ideal for sailing yachts of moderate size.

Equally, you may be able to retain some elements of your existing system, such as the drive unit and control pads, which will reduce the cost of upgrading your autopilot.

Many systems are sold as packages, which can add to the confusion.

However, these make more sense once you figure out the key items – especially the compass, 9-axis sensor or course computer – most boats will benefit from updating.

Integration with other on board electronics is an important factor if you want the autopilot to steer to a constant wind angle, or to display compass course on the instruments.

B&G’s Triton controller

Mixing autopilot brands?

While many items from different brands will talk to each other, it makes sense to limit the variety as far as possible to avoid any problems.

However, there’s usually no need for drive units to be the same brand as the remainder of the system.

These are generally fairly simple 12/24V motors that respond in the same way to the output from the course computer, without other complex electronics that need a data feed with specific protocols.

It’s always worth checking with suppliers, or directly with a manufacturer’s technical helplines, to be sure that the products you plan to buy will work together as expected.

Before going shopping, make an audit of the elements of your existing autopilot system – and what will benefit from replacement.

In many cases an autopilot system can be updated significantly without replacing the drive unit, control keypads or display units, which can make upgrading more affordable.

In most cases drive units are specified for a maximum laden displacement .

For many yachts this can easily be in excess of 20% above the boat builder’s quoted figure for light displacement.

Garmin CHC10 Remote

Many companies bundle the parts that are most likely to be needed to upgrade an existing system into packages, often at reduced prices compared to the individual components.

Garmin, for instance, calls these ‘Corepacks’ and, unlike other manufacturers, this is the prime way in which key components other than control units and drives are sold.

The GHP Reactor Mechanical Retrofit Corepack (£1,460) includes a 9-axis sensor, course computer, and the higher-spec GHC20 control display.

It’s therefore a cost-effective option offering for anyone looking to update an existing system.

Raymarine’s EV-200 Sail Pack (£2,115) consists of an EV-1 Sensor Core, ACU-200 pilot computer, p70/70s control head, plus a cabling kit.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

B&G’s DD15 Drive Unit is a compact and energy efficient design for yachts from 30-40ft

1. Below deck drive units

These are a key in getting good pilot performance and in maximising reliability.

Yet in many ways the physical means of moving the rudder has changed little in the past decade or two.

Whether driven directly by an electric motor, or via hydraulics, these are non-intelligent items that simply respond to the changing 12V (or 24V) outputs from the course computer.

The two key choices are between hydraulic and electric-mechanical units and between a linear or rotary drive.

Linear drives are used to connect directly to the quadrant and are the most common type, especially on relatively recent boats.

Rotary drives can drive a gear wheel where the steering system incorporates a chain drive.

Electric units are more efficient on power consumption, easier to install and cheaper than hydraulic options.

However, the latter can be more powerful, so are typically found on larger yachts.

Garmin offers a number of Linear Drives, including the Class A Mechanical Linear Drive (£1,600) for yachts up to 12,900kg loaded displacement.

The company’s Class B units include a compact model rated for 22 tons, while the standard size model will cope with 35.8 tons loaded displacement.

Similarly Raymarine’s mechanical linear drives (£1,800-2,065) are offered in three sizes for boats with displacement of up to 11,000kg, 15,000kg and 20,000kg laden displacement.

Above this a hydraulic drive will be needed.

Raymarine’s ST2000 is a basic all-in-one model for boats up to 4,500kg

2. Tiller pilots

These naturally fall into two different categories – all-in-one units that include a basic course computer, fluxgate compass, control pad and, in some cases, a one-line display.

Some can also interface with other on-board electronics.

Raymarine’s ST1000 (£525) and ST2000 (£630) are basic all-in-one models for boats up to 3,000kg and 4,500kg respectively.

They are now dated units that include only a basic fluxgate compass and limited connectivity via Raymarine’s original SeaTalk, or NMEA0183 for GPS and apparent wind data.

If you’re able to spend more there are much better options available.

Raymarine’s EV-100 Tiller Pilot is a motor-only unit for boats up to 6,000kg that can be paired to an ACU-100 course computer and EV-1 9-axis sensor.

It’s therefore capable of steering a much better course than the ST1000/2000 models, though won’t match the performance of a belowdeck system as it’s impossible to fit a rudder angle sensor.

In addition, unlike B&G’s SD10 drive there’s no automatic clutch, so switching between automatic steering and standby modes may not be a smooth operation in challenging conditions.

The EV-100 tiller pilot is priced at £1,365, packaged with an ACU-100 course computer, EV-1 sensor and cabling kit, though a control unit is still required.

While the Navico group’s products for sailing have been sold under the B&G brand for almost a decade, this isn’t true of its all-in-one tiller pilots, which are legacy products that still carry Simrad branding.

The TP10 (£470) is a basic standalone model for smaller boats, while the TP22 (£610) and TP32 (£760) models can operate in either standalone mode, or networked with wind instruments and/or separate compasses via NMEA0183 or 2000.

They are suitable for boats up to 34ft and 37ft respectively.

A neat alternative to a conventional tiller pilot

The B&G SD10 drive (£1,059) is a neat alternative to a conventional tiller pilot that uses a Bowden cable (as used for steering most RIBs) to connect a below-decks motor to the tiller.

It has two further big advantages over conventional tiller pilots.

Firstly there’s a clutch, so the pilot is always connected to the tiller and doesn’t need to be removed when returning to manual steering mode.

Secondly, it incorporates a rudder angle sensor, so offers tiller steered yachts that don’t have a quadrant all the advantages of a below decks system.

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Raymarine is the only company that now offers a wheel pilot, the EV-100 Wheel Pilot

3. Wheel autopilots

These have an on-deck motor much as for tiller pilots, making them a cost effective option with relatively easy installation.

However, unlike a below deck system, the motor unit is exposed to the elements and there’s a limit to the size and weight of a yacht that can realistically use a wheel pilot.

In addition, they generally can’t use a rudder angle sensor, so course keeping is compromised.

Raymarine is the only company that now offers a wheel pilot, the EV-100 Wheel Pilot (£665).

It produces 30Nm of thrust and is suitable for boats with a laden displacement of up to 7,500kg.

Both SeaTalkNG and NMEA2000 data protocols are supported.

It’s designed to be used with an ACU-100 course computer and EV-1 Sensor.

Outside its high-end H5000 series B&G offers two options, the NAC-2 and NAC-3

4. Course computers

This area has seen huge development and significant improvements to course keeping .

All current systems will interface with the 9-axis sensors that measure rate of yaw, pitch and heel, as well as having a built in gyro compass.

They can therefore respond to gusts and waves even before the boat has changed course.

Raymarine produces several different course computers (Autopilot Control Units, or ACU) to suit different types of boat and drive unit.

Although not all are suited to sailing yachts.

Designed to simplify use where possible, much of the set up process is automated, and there are no user-adjustable settings beyond three easy to select modes.

The latest Lighthouse II software update includes stabilisation of wind speed and angle using data from the 9-axis sensor; which means even better course keeping.

The ACU-100 (£420) is for smaller sailing yachts using the EV-100 tiller or wheel pilot.

The ACU-200 (£845) is for any vessel with one of the company’s Type 1 drive units.

It can supply up to 7A of power to the drive unit and suits most boats up to 11,000kg laden displacement.

The more powerful ACU-400 (£1,905) can supply 30A to 12V or 24V systems; capable of steering very large yachts, including those with hydraulic drive units.

In both cases the units are capable of using both Raymarine’s SeaTalkNG data protocol and NMEA2000.

Outside its high-end H5000 series B&G offers the NAC-2 (£950) and NAC-3 (£1,700).

The former provides output current of up to 8A for yachts of up to 35ft, whereas the latter is rated at 30A continuous, for larger yachts.

Garmin’s course computers are offered as part of its Core Packs.

B&G’s Rudder angle sensor

5. Essential accessories for autopilots

The choice of system elements, including rudder angle sensors, compasses – or 9-axis sensors – and control keypads or displays is determined by the brand of your pilot computer.

Note that some drive units include a rudder angle sensor.

Rudder angle sensor

Sometimes supplied with the motor; check specs when comparing prices.

• Garmin GRF10 Rudder Feedback Sensor (£199)
• Raymarine M81105 Rudder angle transducer (£265)
• B&G has four options to suit different systems (priced from £290-320)

Course sensor

All the main manufacturers now use 9-axis sensors that measure heading, rate of turn, pitch, roll and yaw, giving far greater data inputs to the course computer than gyro compasses that were the best option less than 10 years ago.

Garmin only lists this sensor in its pilot packages, but Raymarine’s EV-1 Sensor is available separately for £740, while B&G’s Precision compass is £680.

Raymarine’s EV-1 Sensor

6. Control pads and remotes 

These can add significantly to the cost of an autopilot system.

But if you ever sail short handed , then a controller at the helm and one at the companionway, allowing the boat to be conned from the shelter of the spray hood, are a minimum for any offshore yacht.

This also offers a layer of redundancy should a unit fail.

In many cases a multifunction display (MFD ) can be used to control a pilot of the same brand, though can be a lot more convoluted than using a keypad.

Remote controls are great for anyone on watch alone, but can be an expensive upgrade, especially if you need to also buy a base station to communicate with the remote.

Raymarine Smart Controller

• Raymarine Smart Controller (remote) with base station (£630)
• Raymarine S100 wireless remote with base station (£440)
• Garmin GHC10 Marine Autopilot Control Unit (£500)
• Garmin GHC20 Marine Autopilot Control Unit (£580)
• Garmin CHC10 Remote (£270)
• B&G’s Triton2 keypads (£350 each)

A Triton2 display (£530) is needed as well, but can also be used to display other data.

TECHNICAL HELP FOR AUTOPILOTS

Once you’ve outlined what you think is the best upgrade route don’t be shy about asking for help to confirm you’ve identified the best options.

Many manufacturers have both online and telephone helplines:

• raymarine.custhelp.com/app/home
• bandg.com/en-gb/contact-us-gb/

About the author

Rupert Holmes is a freelance yachting journalist with more than 85,000 miles’ experience in a wide variety of craft, including cruising and racing yachts, and significant shorthanded sailing.

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• Marine Electronics

Evolution Autopilot

Autopilot Perfection

New evolution r4 performance tuned software, a new level of autopilot control.

• Specifications
• Ordering Information
• Images and Media

Race, cruise or fish - Evolution will take command

No fuss, easy to install and robust - the Evolution autopilot combines Raymarine's autopilot expertise, FLIR Systems' R&D, and advanced aerospace guidance technology to create Evolution Ai control algorithms that deliver a new level of accurate autopilot control.

Key Features

• Automagic™ - No lengthy calibration procedures to perform. No compass calibration required. Plug and play connections
• Easy to install - Freedom from the restrictions of conventional heading sensors. EV sensor core can be installed above or below deck. Install upside-down or off the vessel's centre line.
• Aerospace technology - 9-axis precision monitoring of pitch, roll, yaw and heading
• Fuel efficient - Evolution autopilots steer so accurately they will save fuel and get you to your destination faster

Easily selectable performance modes

Race Performance

When only the best will do. Razor sharp course keeping. Fine-tuned for racers!

Cruising Performance

Superb course keeping and crisp turns in all conditions - the Raymarine skippers choice

Leisure Performance

For relaxed boating, when soaking up the sun is more attractive than precise course keeping

The EV Sensor Core

At the centre of every Evolution system is the intelligent EV sensor core, a 9-axis sensor that monitors vessel motion in all three dimensions. The innovative EV sensor core combines advanced solid-state sensors with the Evolution autopilot processor into a single easy-to-install housing.

Mount the EV sensor core above or below decks, the rugged enclosure is fully sealed and built to IPX6 and IPX7 waterproofing and submersion standards.

EV Sensor Core Benefits

• Precision monitoring of heading, pitch, roll, and yaw allowing the autopilot to evolve instantly as sea conditions and vessel dynamics change.
• Flexible installation options. Mount above or below deck.
• Simple SeaTalk ng connectivity to the control head and ACU.
• Solid state sensor technology delivers dynamic accuracy to within 2 degrees in all conditions. 
• Auto-compensation for on board magnetic fields and reliable heading accuracy in the northern and southern extremes.
• Fast and reliable heading data for MARPA, radar overlay, and heading modes on Raymarine multifunction displays. 

Autopilot Control Unit (ACU)

The rugged ACU (Actuator Control Unit) delivers reliable autopilot drive power and also provides power to the SeaTalk ng bus. Choose the ACU that fits your steering type:

NEW ACU 150

The Raymarine ACU-150 is a component of the Evolution™ Autopilot system and is designed to provide power and control to a Raymarine Type-1 Hydraulic Drive Unit (M81120.)

The ACU-150 connects to the SeaTalkng network for communication with its other peripherals. It also has connections for an optional Rudder Reference Unit (sold separately.) The ACU-150 works on 12-volt DC systems only.

To make a complete ACU-150 autopilot system you must also add the Type-1 Hydraulic Drive Unit (M81120), Evolution EV1 Sensor Core (E70096), Evolution Cable Kit (R70160) and either the p70s (E70328) or p70Rs (E70329) autopilot control head.

Learn more about the new ACU-150 System Pack

Your Evolution autopilot system

EV-1 Cockpit and Inboard Autopilots

EV-1 autopilots consist of a Control Head, EV-1 Sensor, Autopilot Control Unit (ACU) and drive unit. The drive unit (inboard mechanical/ hydraulic or cockpit mounted) and correct ACU for your vessel is dependent on the steering system and displacement of the vessel itself.

EV-2 for Drive-by-Wire Propulsion

EV-2 has been designed for the latest drive-by-wire steering systems and connects directly to Raymarine's SeaTalk ng bus. EV-2 also has a dedicated CAN Bus port for direct connection to steer-by-wire steering systems - such as ZF Pod Drives, Yamaha Helm Master, Volvo IPS and SeaStar Solutions Optimus systems. A single CAN Bus connection to the EV-2 eliminates the need for an Autopilot Control Unit (ACU) further simplifying installation.

Find out more in the ordering information section or contact your local Raymarine dealer for further assistance.

Introducing HydroBalance™ Technology

Hydro-Balance™ Technology is an all new, patent-pending software update that delivers superior autopilot performance on boats with hydraulic steering, and particularly on boats with rudder reference-less steering and outboard motors. Hydro-Balance™ is now available and any existing Evolution™ autopilot system customers can download the new software, free of charge, from the software download area of the Raymarine website .

Find out more about HydroBalance™

Autopilot Control

p70 / p70R and the new p70s / p70Rs autopilot control heads

Complete your Evolution autopilot system with an autopilot control. The new p70s and p70Rs control heads feature vibrant colour displays and are powered by Raymarine’s intuitive LightHouse user interface.

LightHouse organises all options into simple menu structures and with Evolution’s quick setup process you will be up and running in minutes.

Designed for sailing yachts, the p70s offers simple 1 and 10 degree direct course change push buttons.

The p70Rs features a rotary dial control for power boaters. Use the rotary dial for menu and course changes or activate power steer mode and steer manually right from the p70Rs.

Autopilot control from Raymarine MFDs

Control your Evolution Autopilot directly from your Raymarine aSeries, cSeries, eSeries or gS Series multifunction display. Note that your multifunction display must be running Raymarine's LightHouse II software and that some autopilot functionality may not be available if your system does not include a dedicated autopilot control head.

Find out more about our autopilot control heads .

Evolution Autopilot Specifications

Ev1 and ev2 sensor core, acu specifications, evolution autopilot ordering information.

Evolution Autopilots can be purchased as a system pack with a drive unit, a system pack without a drive unit or as individual components. If you are unsure what you require, speak with your local dealer who will be able to offer advice and suggest the best package for your vessel.

Evolution System Packs with Drives

Picture above shows EV-100 Tiller Pilot pack.

Select a part number to learn more about what is included in each Evolution System Pack

Evolution System Packs (Drive unit not included)

Select a part number to learn more about what is included in each system pack:

Evolution Components

Related products, selecting your autopilot drive unit.

Choosing the appropriate drive unit is usually the first step in selecting an autopilot for your vessel. The drive unit you will need will depend on the steering system and displacement of your vessel. The following drive units are all compatible with the Raymarine Evolution Autopilot:

Hydraulic Steering

Type 0.5, type 1, type 2, type 3 and constant running pumps for hydraulic steering systems 

Mechanical Linear

Type 1, Type 2 Short and Type 2 Long - most commonly used in sailing vessels

Mechanical Rotary

Type 1 and Type 2 - for vessels that can be driven from the helm position through a chain and sprocket.

Universal Stern

For use with inboard/ outboard vessels with power assisted steering

Hydraulic Linear

Type 2 and Type 3 - Designed for larger mechanically steered vessels over 20,000kg

Selecting your control head

The Evolution autopilot can be controlled from dedicated autopilot control heads or from compatible Raymarine multifunction displays. Note that some autopilot control functionality is not available from MFDs.

Dedicated Autopilot Control Heads

Designed for sailing yachts, the new p70s offers simple 1 and 10 degree direct course changes at the touch of a button

Features a rotary dial for power boaters.

Multifunction Displays with Autopilot control

Raymarine multifunction displays can be used to control a connected autopilot, engage the autopilot in Track mode or Auto mode, adjust the current locked heading when in Auto mode, disengage the autopilot, provide close integration with the Chart application, select different performance modes, adjust pilot settings and manage autopilot alarms. Note that in a system that does not include a dedicated pilot control head, the Data Master MFD cannot be switched Off or put into PowerSave mode whilst the autopilot is engaged.

5.7" to 12" touchscreen network displays

9" and 12.1" keypad controlled network displays

7" to 15.4" Premium HybridTouch™ network displays

The new face of high-performance navigation

9" to 19" Glass Bridge touchscreen network displays

Autopilot Accessories

Smartcontroller

Take full, onboard control of your Evolution autopilot

Evolution Autopilot User Manuals & Documents

Software for your evolution autopilot.

For best performance we recommend that all components of your Evolution Autopilot system are running the latest software. To ensure you have all the latest features you should also ensure that your connected Multifunction Display is updated to the latest software. Find out more here .

EV1/EV2 Heading Sensor

Evolution Autopilot Images & Media

Product images.

Download high resolution images of the Evolution Autopilot

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