a u t o p i l o t s

Raymarines Autohelm Series.
An extra crew member at your command.
Its a beautiful day, the suns out, the seas blue and youre underway - what a great opportunity for your Raymarine autopilot to take over helming duties whilst you sit on deck soaking up the sun. Just hit the button and the day is yours. The winds come up, seas getting choppy, and to cap it all its starting to rain just hit that button and let your Raymarine autopilot take the strain whilst you check everything is secure below. The wind is screaming, the waves are 30 foot high, and youre racing hundreds of miles from land. Brad Van Liew, winner Class 2 Around Alone and Open 50 24hr distance record holder, was fulsome in his praise - "I can't say enough about the reliability and performance of my Raymarine electronics. All the way around the world the nav radar systems, instruments and pilots have been a decided advantage. Other skippers have needed to hand steer to be competitive. On board Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America, the Raymarine pilot with its superior software steered as well as any fully concentrated professional." Starting life as Nautech/Autohelm nearly 30 years ago, Raymarine still invests heavily in research and development for new products and innovative technology including all the major advances in autopilot technology integration with instrument and navigation systems, the fluxgate compass, push button steering, AutoSeastateTM, AutoAdaptTM, AutoTrimTM and now ASTTM Advanced Steering Technology. From a basic tiller pilot to a powerful inboard system, each Raymarine pilot comes with a simple, intuitive keypad and clear, functional LCD display (option for SportPilot). SeaTalk and NMEA compatibility allows you to integrate the pilot as part of a complete Raymarine navigation system. Set the pilot to steer a course, track to a waypoint from your GPS or chartplotter, or steer to the wind. Additional control units and hand held remote controls ensure you remain in complete command anywhere on board. Behind the scenes, intelligent software and proven hardware have earned Raymarine a reputation for building the world's finest autopilots to steer your boat in all conditions. Some of the features you will find in Autohelm pilots from Raymarine: Clear and informative LCD displays. Intuitive push-button control keypad. SeaTalk/NMEA compatible. Track to waypoint from GPS or chartplotter. Instrument/navigation Data pages. Remote control and multi-station option. AutoTack (programmable turn). Steer to wind angle True/Apparent. Rudder angle display.
AST Advanced Steering Technology: state-of-the-art software for course computers with built in rate gyro, gives superb steering performance and boat handling.
SeaTalk networking: The world renowned on-board plug and play solution for connecting multiple remote autopilot displays and Raymarine integrated navigation systems. AutoTack: Tacks the boat through a user-predefined turn.
Auto Speed Gain: Adjusts the amount of helm applied at different boat speeds for a smooth safe ride.
Wind Trim: Fully adjustable (up to 9 levels) and the ability to select true/apparent wind to steer.
AutoSeastate and AutoTrim: Automatically adjusts for wind and sea conditions to hold the best course.
Course Memory: After a manual course change to avoid an obstruction, simply press Auto for one second to return to your previous course.

Billy Black

Brad Van Liew, winner Class 2 Around Alone and Open 50 24hr distance record holder.
Vane Mode: Follows your autopilot to set the boat up so that the sails are at full trim (balanced).
Inboard autopilot control head selection.
Choosing the pilot head that best suits your needs.

ST7001/ST8001

Large displays and intuitive keypads give you quick and easy access to all pilot data from up to 15 pages of selectable instrument or navigation data. Powerful easy-to-use maxi control units. Add a G-series course computer and it could not be easier to set up the pilot. Using AST (Advanced Steering Technology) software, the ST7001/8001 AutoLearns your boats steering characteristics, selecting optimum settings for crisp, smooth turns and superb course keeping. On longer passages, alter the response function to enjoy a comfortable ride whilst staying right on course. Display features ST7001 and ST8001 Large crisp LCD display with easy-to-read rudder angle indicator. Intuitive button control keypad. Add multiple ST6001/7001/8001 control heads or ST600R handheld remotes using SeaTalk networking. ST6001 Compact stylish control head to match Raymarine ST60 Instruments. Renowned Autohelm button control. Add multiple ST6001 or ST7001 control heads or ST600R handheld remote controls using SeaTalk networking.

ST600R hand held remote control.
Full autopilot control at the touch of a button from anywhere on board, the ST600R autopilot remote control is a handy compact addition to any Raymarine autopilot system and monitors up to 21 pages of SeaTalk instrument and navigation data on the powerful LCD display. Autopilot control head features comparison chart
Product features Display head size (mm) Surface mount installation

STx 115

ST600R 112 x 53
Features Full function autopilot control*. Add SeaTalk deck sockets anywhere onboard for complete Autohelm control. Instrument/navigation data repeater. Up to 21 selectable pages of information. Chapter and Page menu for fast data retrieval. Compatible with any Raymarine SeaTalk autopilot and instrument system.
* G-Series course computer corepacks require either the ST6001/7001/8001 control heads for complete calibration and AutoLearn.
Flush mount installation option Hand-held unit LCD size (mm) Customisable data pages Power steer Autolearn/AST (with gyro course computer)

51 21

ST6001
Found aboard more sail and motor yachts than any other inboard pilot, this is the recognised benchmark for autopilot performance. An ideal choice when space is at a premium. Monitor important navigational data from up to 7 SeaTalk data pages on the clear LCD display. Just like the ST7001/8001, with a G-series course computer the ST6001 will AutoLearn your boats handling characteristics, and select the optimum settings for pilot performance.
Integrates with Raymarine SeaTalk instruments with configurable data displays and GPS data.
ST6001/7001/ST8001 1. Joystick 2. Master head ST7001/ST8001 3. Master head ST6001 4. Optional ST6001 flush mount 5. SeaTalk network 6. Course computer 7. 12/24v DC 8. Fluxgate compass 9. Rudder reference 10. Drive units
w w w. r a y m a r i n e. c o m
Joystick Control Use the fast response joystick for power-assisted manual steering it adjusts the rudder angle using the autopilot course computer and drive unit. If your boat has two steering positions, you can use the joystick control as a compact replacement for one of the wheels.

Page 85 for Tech Specs

Raymarine Smartpilot Series course computers.
Setting new standards in autopilot performance.

Course computer features

Complete all-in-one autopilot options. Patented external fluxgate compass for optimum performance and course keeping accuracy. SeaTalk networking. Simple installation fixes with two screws. Connects to ST6001/7001/8001 control heads and ST600R remote control. Easy access enclosure. Speed connectors for wiring. Gyro option or upgradeable. Current limiting protection.

More powerful and rugged than ever before, Raymarine Smartpilot Series course computers serve as the central intelligence hub of our inboard pilot systems. With Raymarine course computers you can: Maintain a razor sharp course with smooth, crisp and controlled turns right onto your next heading with Advanced Steering Technology (AST)* software and the new G-series course computers. Stay right on course when the going gets tough use Fastrim AST to correct any changes in standing helm to keep the vessel on course (e.g. weather helm or loss of one engine). Control the way the pilot steers your boat using Sensitive Response AST for the most comfortable ride or to conserve power on long sail passages. Make cross track error a thing of the past use your inboard pilot with a Raymarine GPS to track straight to your next waypoint. Set your pilot up for optimum performance using the Intelligent AutoLearn function with new control units, AST* and AutoLearn* software to automatically learn your boats handling characteristics. MARPA and Radar/Chart Overlay*. G-series course computers also provide accurate and stable heading data for MARPA and chart overlay functions on Raymarines Pathfinder radars and chartplotters.
* With Gyro course computer corepacks only.
An S3G course computer installed out of sight behind a bulkhead.
The latest Smartpilot Series course computers showing all the available connections, clearly labelled for ease of installation.
w w w. r a y m a r i n e. c o m Page 86 for Tech Specs
Course computer comparison chart
Product features Supply voltage Motor drive Amps continuous (peak) Clutch current Amps Drive types Solenoid drive interface SeaTalk connections
S1 12v 6 (15) 2 Type 1 No 1 2
S1G 12v 6 (15) 2 Type 1 No 1 2
S2 12v 15 (20) 5 Type 1 Yes 2 5
S2G 12v 15 (20) 5 Type 1 Yes 2 5
S3 12/24v 30 (40) 5 Type 1/2 Yes 2 5
S3G 12/24v 30 (40) 5 Type 1/2 Yes 2 5
Inboard Autopilot selection chart

SeaTalk current Amps

Gyro installation AST
Sportpilot Sportpilot Plus Smartpilot S1 Smartpilot S2/S3

Upgradeable + + +

Standard 5Hz

Standard 10Hz

AutoLearn MARPA and radar/chart overlay

+ With gyro upgrade

Inboard pilots. Selecting the perfect pilot for your vessel.
Inboard pilots must be powerful enough to handle the demanding loads applied to the steering system of larger boats. The drive unit of an inboard pilot is mounted below decks linking directly with the boats steering system all you see at the helm is the control unit. Raymarine offers a range of control units to suit your needs and style. Selecting the right pilot. An inboard pilot consists of a drive unit, course computer and your choice of control units. The right pilot, correctly installed, will give you many years of dependable service in all weather conditions and will quickly become a valued member of the crew. Start by selecting the correct pilot for your needs. 1. Choose a display head. 2. Select the correct drive unit and associated course computer using the flowchart (right) and specifications on pages 86, 88 & 89 as a guide*.

* We recommend that you consult a Raymarine approved dealer who can specify, install and commission the correct Raymarine system for your boat. An approved installation also carries our full worldwide 2 year warranty.
IS THE CABLE SHEATHED? IS THE STEERING PUSH PULL?
Wheel and tiller pilots. Selecting the right pilot for your vessel.
The right pilot, correctly installed, will give you many years of dependable service in all weather conditions and will quickly become a valued member of the crew. Start by selecting the correct pilot for your needs. Consider the type of boating you plan to do, then match your boats steering system, fully laden displacement weight and length with the tables (right) to find the right pilot model for you.
We recommend that you consult a Raymarine approved dealer who can specify, install and commission the correct Raymarine system for your boat. An approved installation also carries our full worldwide 2 year warranty.
To determine which drive unit you require, simply answer the questions in this chart. Once you have selected a drive, refer to pages 88 & 89 for detailed drive specification and part number information.

Tech tip

Remember, always take the fully laden displacement weight of your vessel into account, this is often 20% above the designed displacement, so dont be tempted to choose a pilot which will always be working at the limits of its design capabilities. If you choose your pilot with safety in mind, it wont struggle when the going gets tough.
Tiller Autopilot selection chart
IS THE STEERING HYDRAULIC?

ST1000 ST2000 ST4000

DOES THE STEERING USE CABLES?

ST4000 GP

Wheel Autopilot selection chart
Tech tip Consider the type of boating you plan to do, then match your boats steering system, fully laden displacement weight (as a guide, take the manufacturers stated displacement weight for your boat and add a further 20%) and length with the tables (right) to find the right pilot model for you.

HYDRAULIC PUMPS PAGE 89

IS THE STEERING POWER ASSISTED?
CAN THE STEERING BE BACK DRIVEN?

ST3000

ST4000
Extensive cruising and long offshore passages. Coastal cruising and occasional offshore passages.
STANDARD/UNIVERSAL STERNDRIVES PAGE 88

ROTARY DRIVES PAGE 88

MECHANICAL OR HYDRAULIC LINEAR DRIVES PAGE 89
Corepack Contains course computer, rudder reference and fluxgate compass.

S1 Course Computer

Rudder Reference

Fluxgate compass

ST4000 Wheelpilot.
The innovative ST4000 wheelpilot is equipped with the fully enclosed Mk II wheel-drive for simple installation and below deck autopilot performance. Mount the separate control unit where it is easy to reach and see. The patented fluxgate compass is mounted separately for optimum performance.

SportPilot and SportPilot Plus.
Sportpilot features Quick shift from auto into manual by simply taking hold of the wheel. So simple select Auto and go! Very easy to install. GPS waypoint navigation. Fits 0.75" and 1" tapered wheel shafts. Max. wooden wheel diameter for 0.75" and 1" steering shafts: 21" (540mm). Max. metal wheel diameter for 1" steering shafts: 18" (460mm). SportPilot Plus recommended for trolling speed applications. Just line up on the desired course, turn the control stick to AUTO and let go of the wheel it really is that simple! When you want to steer again, grab hold of the wheel and steer as normal. With built in SeaTalk and NMEA interface, you can select a waypoint on your GPS or chartplotter and the SportPilot will take you straight to it. SportPilot and SportPilot Plus are easy-to-use and easy-to-fit pilots for powerboats with a single-station helm. SportPilot Plus is ideal for smaller sports fishing boats* with easy speed settings for high speed pursuits or trolling, so you can prepare the bait while the pilot steers the boat. The standard SportPilot is ideal for sports cruisers and rigid inflatable boats.
The LCD shows the pilot status and repeats up to seven pages of user-defined navigation data from your ST60 system. The rugged Mk II 4000 wheel drive unit is available as an upgrade for existing ST4000 systems. ST4000 features Quick and easy installation. Fits most types of wheels. Independent display for 'best location'. Simple clutch engagement mechanism. Clean design.

ST3000 Wheelpilot

Belt driven autopilot for wheelsteered yachts up to 13,200lb (see tech tip on page 48). This proven Autohelm series belt driven wheel pilot has integrated control and compass unit to make installation easy. The pilot can be quickly removed when not in use. Further details on the ST3000 available at www.raymarine.com
SportPilot is designed for: manual cable steered boats with laden displacements up to 2000 kg (4400 lbs) and 3500 kg (7700 Lbs) for manual hydraulic and servo hydraulic steering.
* For boats where the autopilot is used for long periods of time (many hours on a daily basis), we recommend the fitting of the SportPilot Plus which has a more powerful motor.

Page 84 for Tech Specs

ST4000 MKII wheeldrive system 1. Drive only 2. Autopilot control head (rear) 3. Optional control heads (ST6001/ST7001/ST8001) 4. Flush mount option 5. SeaTalk network 6. 12v DC 7. NMEA GPS 8. Rotary rudder reference (optional) 9. Fluxgate compass 10. Master head
ST4000 designed for yachts with a laden displacement up to 8,500kg (18,700lbs).
SportPilot system and SportPilot Plus system (no rudder reference) 1. SportPilot or SportPilot Plus 2. Rear wheel connection 3. Optional autopilot control head 4. SeaTalk network 5. Linear rudder reference 6. Fluxgate compass 7. Rotary rudder reference 8. 12v DC

ST4000 Tiller Pilots.

ST1000 and ST2000 Tiller Pilots.
ST1000/ST2000 features Built in LCD display for easy setup, compass heading display, and waypoint navigation data display. Connect multiple control heads using the SeaTalk network Seamless SeaTalk integration with other Raymarine equipment. NMEA 0183 compatible for GPS navigation. High performance, reliable and easy to use invented by Autohelm nearly 30 years ago, tiller pilots have consistently been the worlds most popular pilot ever since. Handle sheets with ease whilst the pilot AutoTacks the boat for you. Conserve your power use AutoSeastate to keep the boat on course. Easy-read display whether as a standalone pilot or connected to SeaTalk/NMEA GPS, the clear backlit LCD and six button keypad make these pilots safe and easy to use.
Data displays can be accessed via the display key (maximum of seven displays).
ST4000T designed for vessels with a laden displacement up to 6000kg (13,200lbs) and ST4000T GP for vessels up to 7,500kg (16,500lbs).
ST4000T & ST4000T GP Features Unique Tiller pilot system with full function ST4000 control head and remote mounted fluxgate compass. SeaTalk networking allows for additional ST8001, ST7001, ST6001 display heads or an ST600R remote control. Powerful tiller drive unit is compact and unobtrusive.
The rugged drive units belonging to the ST4000T Plus range make them the perfect pilots for larger tiller steered yachts. You can steer straight to a waypoint, lock on to a given wind angle, or simply set and follow a course to steer by making the most of the full SeaTalk and NMEA compatibility. The fluxgate compass is separated from the drive unit for greater accuracy and you can mount the control unit wherever it will be within easy reach for you. Whichever you choose, the large clear display keeps you up to date and also acts as a multi-function instrument or navaid repeater. Used by the worlds top singlehanded race skippers, they will meet the demands of the serious sailor.
1. Tiller drive 2. Bulkhead connection 3. SeaTalk network 4. 12v DC 5. NMEA GPS
ST4000T and ST4000T GP 1. Master head 2. 12v DC 3. NMEA GPS 4. Tiller drive 5. Flush mount option 6. Optional control heads ST6001/ST7001/ST8001 7. SeaTalk network 8. Optional: fluxgate compass 9. Autopilot control head (rear)

Hand-held remote control. Full course change control from virtually anywhere on the boat using this 4button keypad compact cable remote.
ST1000 designed for yachts with a laden displacement up to 3,000kg (6,600lbs). ST2000 for yachts with a laden displacement up to 4,500kg (10,000lbs) (see tech tip on page 49).
Page 84 for Tech Specs Typical ST1000 and ST2000 tiller pilot displays.

BOATWORKS

ELECTRONIC WINDVANE

SELF-STEERING SOLUTION

Windvane wonder
Electric self-steering tiller systems have their shortcomings, as do windwane set-ups. Join the two together and you have the best of both worlds, says Tom Cunliffe
PENDULUM SERVO GEAR: HOW IT WORKS
The pendulum servo gear uses water ow to beef up raw wind power. A wind vane is adjusted so as to feather when the boat is on course. When she wanders, the vane receives wind on one side or the other. Whether vertically or horizontally mounted, it reacts by pivoting to leeward. This activates the servo paddle which is really a deep blade cutting through the water beneath the windvane. The paddle is hinged fore and aft, so that as it is twisted off the feathering position by the vane, it is kicked up sideways like a pendulum by the water owing past it. If you doubt the power, try it with an oar when you are buzzing along in the dinghy! This swinging movement to one side is transferred to the helm by lines joining the paddle to the tiller (or to a drum on the wheel). As the paddle is displaced, it drags the helm with it. This steers the boat until she is back at the original angle to the apparent wind. Vane and hence paddle now return to the feather position and the process ceases until repeated again. With decent gear youll steer a surprisingly straight course in most conditions.
veryone enjoys steering on summer afternoons, but most of us would agree that the job deteriorates into a chore after the rst few hours. Discounting miracle workers like pioneering solo circumnavigator Joshua Slocum in Spray, it was the rst singlehanded races in the 1960s that nally cracked the self-steering nut. Sir Francis Chichesters idea of a small sail pulling the helm missed the bulls eye by a mile, but Blondie Haslers pendulum servo wheeze carried the day with a touch of genius. It still forms the basis of many systems, including my own Windpilot. These set-ups have their limitations but with a little ingenuity they can be modied to cope with almost anything.
Cruising my boat Westernman shorthanded would be a bit of a grunt without self-steering. Before the windvane gear, three of us helmed her across the North Atlantic and by the time we arrived off the Scillies with the fourth gale of the trip blowing itself out, we felt as though wed been in the gym with the Devil as personal trainer. It isnt that shes badly balanced, its just that she is a 20-ton gaffer with a very big rig. Her rudder angles arent excessive, but the 7ft iron tiller needs a relieving tackle in more than Force 4. If youre thinking my boat is irrelevant to yours, consider this: if Westernman can be induced to self-steer, the same arrangement will be a cake-walk for a modern yacht. The Windpilot copes well in a steady breeze, but its a non-starter if we are motoring and it isnt great in the ever-shifting wind strengths and directions along our coasts. We invested in an electronic tiller pilot to take the helm in such situations. These are great bits of kit but can drain your batteries and sometimes
struggle in fresh winds or awkward seas. Initially, I set up the big Raymarine Autohelm ST4000 directly onto the tiller. It simply could not cope with the forces and looked like a mistaken purchase until one day I noticed a small hole engineered in my Windpilot vane gear. It looked as though it would accept the tiny stainless pin supplied by the Autohelm manufacturers to
Rather than trying to shove the tiller across, all the pilot had to do was tweak the servo paddle
set into the tiller to accept the small socket on their pilot. I had a spare and it tted perfectly. Obviously the hole was there for just this purpose, so I epoxied it in with Araldite Rapid. While the glue was hardening, I offered up the unit, then drilled the hardwood taffrail for the pin on the other end. Raymarine had even supplied a spare bush to set into the hole. An hour later I unshipped the windvane and set up my new unit. Rather than trying to shove
the mighty tiller across, all the pilot now had to do was tweak the servo paddle. No longer driven by the wind, the paddle of the steering gear was adjusted continually by the Autohelm set to a compass heading. Because the arrangement is equally effective when sailing, I dont use the vane at all unless the wind is solid and unchanging. The only renement has been a short length of shock cord to hold the socket of the tiller end of the pilot onto the horizontally mounted pin on the windvane mechanism. Battery drain is negligible because the diminutive motor in the Autohelm hands all the tough stuff straight over to the pendulum servo paddle. This revels in its labour. The faster we go, the harder it pulls, and the boat steers herself without fuss for thousands of miles. Its quiet because the autopilot noise is all well aft, and the same unit has worked since 1999 without any maintenance whatever. The Autohelm ST4000 suits Westernman, but most boats will manage ne with the tiniest tiller pilot. So why not marry your windvane steering and your tiller pilot? Theyll make a great couple. W

HOW TO DO-IT-YOURSELF

If your windvane is pre-drilled to accept the tiller attachment pin as mine is that part is easy. If not, youll need a drill and sharp bit. Make the hole a snug t because the system will worry away at it hour after hour. Attaching the other end of the unit to a wooden capping is easy. Set the tiller mate at its neutral position and offer it up with the outboard end attached to the tiller pin on the vane gear. Mark where the big pin on the inner end lands on the timberwork, get hold of a bush from the manufacturers of the tiller mate, drill for this and drop it in with a dab of epoxy. If youve no suitable place to mount the pilot on the boat, something can usually be contrived by using the pushpit because the loads are almost non-existent. You may need an extension for the activating arm of the tiller unit. Raymarine supplies one for my own unit. Otherwise youll have to fabricate something out of wood, plastic or anything else lying around in your shed. Dont worry if there isnt space to allow the arm to run fore and aft, youve only to rotate the windvane mechanism as though feathering the vane and itll all line up sweetly. Its a straightforward job that you can do in an a hour or two.
The Windpilots wooden windvane is easily removed
The pendulum servo gear with the paddle in the water
The tiller pilot ts into a hole drilled into the wooden capping
The extendable tiller arm is secured to the Windpilot

OTHER SYSTEMS

While my own arrangement favours the Windpilot (www. windpilot.com) and a Raymarine Autohelm (www.raymarine.com), theres no reason why the same method cannot be used with similar windvane systems or pilots. Hydrovane (www.hydrovane. com) users have had success without the added power of the pendulum servo. This gear favours a balanced auxiliary rudder and Im told it works a treat powered by Autohelm instead of the vane.
LEFT: Raymarines ST1000 Autohelm. FAR LEFT: This S1 has superseded the ST4000 As the tiller arm extends or retracts paddle is twisted 90 Steering lines run from the Windpilot through the transom The lines pass through blocks to Westernmans 7ft iron tiller The nished installation combines electronics with water power
www.yachtingmonthly.com MONTH 2007
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