Raymarine's Latest Autopilot Offering - "Evolution" 
Click HERE to see the full range of Evolution Autopilots
It would not be unreasonable to say marine autopilot's have "Evolved". Raymarine has developed a no fuss, easy to install and robust Autopilot. Evolution autopilots 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.
Raymarine produces a full range of autopilots and drive units. In this guide we explain the different types of boat steering and list compatible drive units and autopilot for your application.
Evolution Overview -
Controls - Autopilot can be controlled by p70, p70R and MFDs
EV Sensor Core - The centre of every Evolution Autopilot system.
ACU - Raymarine’s drive interface.
Drive Units - Raymarine produce an extensive range of drive units.
Sail Boat Autopilots -
Tiller steering - Cockpit autopilots available.
Wheel cable steering - Cockpit and Inboard linear drive autopilots available.
Wheel rod steering - Cockpit and Inboard autopilots available.
Wheel hydraulic steering - Cockpit and inboard hydraulic autopilots available.
Power Boat Autopilots -
Cable steering - Cockpit autopilot available.
Power assisted cable steering - Cockpit and inboard autopilots available.
Hydraulic steering - Cockpit and inboard hydraulic autopilots available.
Drive by Wire - Autopilots for Volvo IPS – Teleflex Optimus
Evolution main features are-
No lengthy calibration procedures to perform – No compass calibration required
Freedom from the restrictions of conventional heading sensors – EV sensor core can be installed above or below deck – Install upsidedown or off the vessels centreline – Plug and play connections
New Hydro-Balance™ technology brings an even higher level of autopilot steering performance to boats with hydraulic steering systems. Specifically designed for hydraulic steering systems which have no rudder reference fitted, Hydro-Balance™ is particularly effective on boats with outboard engines.
Easily selectable performance modes
Race Performance – When only the best will do. Razor sharp course keeping. Wind mode and auto-tack features.
Cruising Performance – Superb course keeping and crisp turns in all conditions.
Leisure Performance – For relaxed boating when soaking up the sun is more attractive than precise course keeping
Raymarine Evolution autopilots are made up of four main components
Control Head
Ev Sensor Core
ACU Actuator Control Unit – Not required for Drive by Wire
Drive Unit
Controls
Raymarine Evolution autopilots can be controlled and calibrated be both a dedicated control unit and Raymarine’s current range of MFDs.
Raymarine-Guide-Autopilot-Evolution-Controls
Raymarine’s dedicated autopilot control units are available in two styles.
The p70 is a push-button operation controller designed primarily for sailboats, while the p70R with its combination of push-buttons and rotary control dial is aimed at powercraft.
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.
The Evolution EV sensor core can be installed almost anywhere on your boat – above or below deck. Install upsidedown or off the vessel’s centreline.
Once installed, setup is easy, with a simple Dockside Wizard to guide you through the process.
The EV sensor core provides fast and reliable heading data for MARPA, radar overlay, and heading modes on Raymarine multifunction displays
There are two types of EV sensor core.
Raymarine EV-1 used in systems that use an ACU to connect to a drive unit.
Raymarine EV-2 used in systems connected to drive-by-wire steering
ACU
Raymarine produce four different ACUs
The ACU is a unit that links your drive unit and rudder feed back unit into your evolution autopilot system.
The correct ACU you require for a system is governed by the drive required for your boats steering.
Raymarine ACU-100 – Designed to work with cockpit drive units and type 0.5 hydraulic pump.
Raymarine ACU-200 – Designed to work with Raymarine type 1 drive units.
Raymarine ACU-400 - Designed to work with Raymarine type 2 and 3 drive units.
Raymarine ACU-300 - Designed to work with constant running hydraulic pumps
Drive Units
Raymarine produces one of the most comprehensive range of autopilot drive units for both power and sail boats.
Cockpit Tiller Drive - Connects direct to boats tiller. - Max Displacement 6,000kg
Cockpit Wheel Drive – Connects direct to sailing boats wheel. - Max Displacement 7,500kg
Sports Wheel Drive – Connects direct to power boats wheel
Hydraulic Pumps – Connect into boats existing hydraulic steering. - Size of pump required governed by size of ram fitted in boats steering system.
Mechanical Linear Drives – Connect to boats tiller arm or quadrant. - Max Displacement 20,000 kg.
Hydraulic Linear Drives – Connect to boats tiller arm or quadrant. - Max Displacement 35,000 kg
Rotary Drives - Connected to steering through a chain and sprocket. - Max Displacement 20,000 kg.
Stern Drives – Connects to vessels with power assisted cable steering.
Constant Running Hydraulic Pumps – Connected to existing hydraulic system.
Sail Boat Autopilots
Most Sailboats have either tiller or wheel steering.
Boats with wheel steering, the wheel is normally connected to the boats rudder in one of three ways.
Cable – Two cables run to a quadrant connected to the rudder using turning blocks.
Rod – Using solid bars connect the wheel to a tiller bar on the rudder.
Hydraulics – The wheel is a hydraulic pump which drives a ram connected to a tiller arm on the rudder.
Tiller
Raymarine produces three autopilots that can be used on boats with tillers.
Theses autopilots are connected to the tiller using various brackets.
Autopilots suitable for tiller steered boats -
Raymarine ST1000+ MaxDisplacement 3,000kg (not Evolution)
Raymarine ST2000+ MaxDisplacement 4,500kg (not Evolution)
Raymarine EV-100 Tiller Max Displacement 6,000kg
Wheel Cable Steering
Two cables run to a quadrant connected to the rudder using turning blocks. Raymarine offers a full range off autopilots for this type of steering. These autopilots use drive units that connect directly to the quadrant.
Autopilots suitable for cable steered boats -
For boats under 7,500kg -
Raymarine EV100- Wheel - Connects direct to sailing boats wheel. - For boats under 11,000kg -
Raymarine EV-200 Linear - Linear Drive - For boats up to 35,000kg Displacement -
Raymarine EV-400 Sail - Requires Drive unit
Raymarine Type 2 12 volt Short Shaft Linear Drive - up to 15,000kg displacement.
Raymarine Type 2 24 volt Short Shaft Linear Drive - up to 15,000kg displacement.
Raymarine Type 2 12 volt Long Shaft Linear Drive - up to 20,000kg displacement.
Raymarine Type 2 24 volt Long Shaft Linear Drive - up to 20,000kg displacement.
Raymarine Type 2 12 volt Hydraulic Linear Drive - up to 22,000kg displacement.
Raymarine Type 2 24 volt Hydraulic Linear Drive - up to 22,000kg displacement.
Raymarine Type 3 12 volt Hydraulic Linear Drive - up to 35,000kg displacement.
Raymarine Type 2 24 volt Hydraulic Linear Drive - up to 35,000kg displacement.
Wheel Rod Steering
Using solid bars connect the wheel to a tiller bar on the rudder. Raymarine offers a full range of autopilots for this type of steering system and a linear drives can be used if the steering system back feeds when force is placed on the tiller arm. Certain Lewmar steering systems can not be back feed and are designed to work with there own drive units. Raymarine autopilots will work with these drive units.
Autopilots suitable for rod steered boats.
Raymarine EV100- Wheel - Connects direct to sailing boats wheel up to 7,500kg displacement.
Raymarine EV-200 Sail - Can use 3rd party drives max current 15 amps
Raymarine EV-400 Sail - Can use 3rd party drives max current 30 amps
Wheel Hydraulic Steering
The wheel is a hydraulic pump which drives a ram connected to a tiller arm on the rudder. Sailing boats with hydraulic steering tend to be larger boats, the size of the pump and ACU are determined by the size of the hydraulic ram fitted and not the displacement of the vessel.
Autopilots suitable for hydraulic steered boats.
Raymarine EV-200 Sail – Requires hydraulic pump
Raymarine Type 1 12v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 80cc-230cc
Raymarine Type 1 24v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 80cc-230cc
Raymarine EV-400 Sail - Requires hydraulic pump
Raymarine Type 2 12v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 230cc-350cc
Raymarine Type 2 24v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 230cc-350cc
Raymarine Type 3 12v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 350cc-500cc
Raymarine Type 3 24v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 350cc-500cc
Raymarine EV-300 Solenoid – Requires hydraulic pump
Raymarine Type 3 12v Constant Run Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 350cc-1200cc
Raymarine Type 3 24v Constant Run Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 350cc-1200cc
Power Boat Autopilots
Raymarine produces a wide range of autopilots suitable for power boats.
Power boat steering systems can be broken down into four types.
Cable - Mainly outboards
Power assisted cable - Most sterndrives and some outboards
Hydraulic - Most power boats with rudders
Steer by Wire – Volvo IPS – Teleflex Optimus
Cable Steering
Most outboard boats use cable steering
Autopilots suitable for cable steered boats.
EV-200 Sports - Wheel drive that connects direct to power boats wheel
Power Assisted Cable Steering
Most sterndrive boats use cable steering to open and close a solenoid which allows a engine driven hydraulic pump move the outdrives. Raymarine has two drive units that can control this solenoid.
Autopilots suitable for power assisted steered boats.
EV-200 Sports - Wheel drive that connects direct to power boats wheel
Raymarine EV-200 Power - Drive unit required
Raymarine Sterndrive unit
Raymarine Universal IO Drive
Hydraulic Steering
Raymarine produces a large range of autopilots and drive suitable for hydraulic steering.
Autopilots suitable for hydraulic steered boats.
EV-200 Sports - Wheel drive that connects direct to power boats wheel
The correct hydraulic autopilot pump and ACU are determined by the size of the hydraulic ram fitted and not the displacement of the vessel.
Raymarine EV-100 Power - Ram Capacity 50cc-150cc
Raymarine EV-200 Power - Requires hydraulic pump
Raymarine Type 1 12v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 80cc-230cc
Raymarine Type 1 24v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 80cc-230cc
Raymarine EV-400 Power - Requires hydraulic pump
Raymarine Type 2 12v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 230cc-350cc
Raymarine Type 2 24v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 230cc-350cc
Raymarine Type 3 12v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 350cc-500cc
Raymarine Type 3 24v Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 350cc-500cc
Raymarine EV-300 Solenoid - Requires hydraulic pump
Raymarine Type 3 12v Constant Run Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 350cc-1200cc
Raymarine Type 3 24v Constant Run Hydraulic Pump - Ram Capacity 350cc-1200cc
Drive by Wire
Raymarine’s EV-2 is designed for the latest drive-by-wire steering systems.
EV-2 connects directly to Raymarine’s SeaTalkng bus It also has a dedicated CAN Bus port for direct connection to steer-by-wire steering systems such as ZF Pod Drives, Volvo IPS (Optional Volvo IPS gateway required and additional cabling) and Teleflex Optimus systems.
A single CAN Bus connection to the EV-2 eliminates the need for an ACU, further simplifying installation
Raymarine EV-DBW
Raymarine ECI-100 Universal Engine and Control Interface
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