Raymarine Autopilot for E-32: EV 100 wheel drive or EV 200 linear drive?

My boat currently lacks a functional autopilot. I'm considering installing the Raymarine EV100 or the EV200 systems. The biggest difference being whether the autopilot drive is wheel based or a linear ram below deck. I think the wheel version is the correct choice for a number of different reasons, but I wanted to seek other opinions before I choose.

The EV100 wheel system:
Purports to handle up to 16,000 of displacement, and my boat, even with lots of nachos and beer loaded, will not exceed 11,000lbs.
Seems easier to install and fix if something breaks.
Is less expensive. ($1600 list at WM)
Uses less draw on the battery than the linear ram from what I have gathered.
Is less able to handle heavy seas

The EV200 linear ram:
Will be more reliable and able to handle rougher seas(?)
Will be a more challenging installation and would in all likelihood involve hiring help.
Is more expensive ($3100 list at WM)
Uses more electricity than the wheel.

Would anyone choose the linear ram? Are any of my assumptions off?

My use case is day sailing on the San Francisco Bay and optimistically, overnight coastal jaunts. If I venture farther, a self-steering wind vane would be in order.

Sounds like the perfect application for a wheel pilot.

However, if you plan long cruises, it is worth considering that a belowdecks autopilot replaces a wind vane in current modes of thinking. Meaning that if you commit to solar power--for refrigeration, microwave, TV and so on--the electric draw of the autopilot is less of a factor.

For passagemaking, wind vanes are superb. But they're not practical for ordinary use, whereas a full-power autopilot covers all needs. And the price is pretty much the same (wind vanes start at about 6K).

Also, a wind vane can't hold a course while motoring. Any autopilot, when the boat is under power, uses no battery power at all.

I consider the little EV-100 a miracle gizmo, disposable at the price. It does well on the E38 (16,000+ displacement) up to the first reef and sometimes beyond. What defeats it is waves, not wind (we can reef). Once a human helmsman has to actually start working to hold course, the wheel pilot checks out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzXkixctc74&list=PLXJx_F6E8T8y8BVNBmmZ1c9udOwnNjx93&index=14

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_vEWa746fI

Wind Vane vs. Linear Autopilot

Chris,

Thank you for your response.

If you were to start over today with your first Thelonious 32' sailboat without any self-steering gear and embark on a solo trip to Hawaii, would you again install a windvane and wheel auto-pilot, or given the ever-improving solar panels available choose only a below-deck auto-pilot and leave it at that?

-Tom

Wind vane. Simple, elegant, and I'm solo.

Crews and families increase electrical needs, invite solar, require big battery banks, and help justify power steering.

I'm preparing my 32 for solo Caribbean cruising - I will invest in a windvane first, and add an autohelm later ... maybe.
It seems to me that the utility of an autohelm is limited to when you have to motor for long periods (hours?) instead of sailing - either going upwind or urgently needing to go somewhere when there is no wind. I don't plan to do either.
I expect my motoring will be pretty restricted to when there are other boats around or other things to run into (shoals, shorelines, nav markers, etc) - i.e., when I wouldn't be delegating helm duties to a machine for more than a few minutes at a time.

Tom, Christian, and all,

I am in the process of installing my Raymarine EV200 in my 86 38-200. This installation requires lots of knowledge in meccanical engineering, electrical engineering, carpentry, fiberglass work, and plumbing. Also there should be the added expense of a new below deck custom tiller arm. Approx $700. In my case I have removed the entire quadrant and rudder numerous times in the process checking for alignment and obstructions. I even went as far as to make a mockup tiller arm out of wood to ensure the custom bronze unit will fit upon arrival. Also consider a 300ah lithium phosphate house battery to keep up with the electrical draw. Approximately $3k. I will put together a video when completed. Waiting on the new arm from Edson. Should be here shortly.

If you are wondering why I went this route as opposed to a wind vane ; First and foremost I live 70 miles up river from the Atlantic. Not much use for a windvane on a river. I have an old Simrad wheel pilot now that works great and will become the backup to the new EV200. I'm solo 90% of the time and plan to make it to Bermuda this coming season. Ohhh also Christians said it's probably the best for me.

Cheers.

Thanks @David Grimm ! I look forward to an account of your installation of the EV200! I take it you are doing this on the hard if you have been able to drop your rudder repeatedly etc. (One more hurdle to the choice!) It seems like a bear of a job down inside the cockpit locker. You must also be giving up a little storage space down there.

@nquigley - If you are singlehanding without an autopilot (or a windvane at this point) , is your method to trim sails to leave the helm with the wheel brake applied? That is my present solution. Without the wheel brake the boat becomes "challenging to manage" especially in busy/crowded waters.

leave the helm with the wheel brake applied

That's the single best reason for at least a wheel pilot. When singlehanded it is very awkward to raise/lower sail, trim and maneuver a fin keel yacht with a wheel, since they don't wanna go in a straight line. And under power-- I remember setting the wheel brake at six knots on the 32-3 just to to go forward a moment and coil a line. We made a 180-degree turn with 30 degrees of heel that almost threw me overboard. Gulp!

"I remember setting the wheel brake at six knots on the 32-3 just to to go forward a moment and coil a line. We made a 180-degree turn with 30 degrees of heel that almost threw me overboard. Gulp!"

I find this story reassuring, as I pulled the same move last Thursday at lunchtime (under power with wheel brake, doing more like 4 knots) about 300 yards from the Clipper restaurant overlooking Richardson Bay in Sausalito. Hustled back to the wheel and rode it into a 360 degree turn. "Nothing to see here, folks, just a one man drill."

I think I may try the Edson pedestal brake re-build kit. And get that autopilot ordered.

@nquigley - If you are singlehanding without an autopilot (or a windvane at this point) , is your method to trim sails to leave the helm with the wheel brake applied? That is my present solution. Without the wheel brake the boat becomes "challenging to manage" especially in busy/crowded waters.
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Yup - at the moment, all I have for unattended direction control while motoring is the wheel brake, which only allows for a very quick trip down below before even it wanders off the intended course - barely enough time to retrieve another cold drink from the ice box. I haven't tried this stunt under sail - probably wouldn't work at all given the slight weather helm.