21-EC auto pilot

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rayzickrick

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Joined
Jul 20, 2014
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112
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2108G314
Vessel Name
Andi Lee
I would like to purchase and install an auto pilot on my 2014 21-EC.
What make or brand is the factory using if someone has auto pilot
installed at the factory?
 
rayzickrick":25oman55 said:
I would like to purchase and install an auto pilot on my 2014 21-EC.
What make or brand is the factory using if someone has auto pilot
installed at the factory?
Click to expand...

Hello Ray,

I don't know what the factory currently offers for the 21EC.

I've got the Raymarine Smartpilot EV-200 set up. It works well. Pics in my photo file. Last I knew Raymarine discontinued that model.

Andrew Appleton installed the Simrad octopus drive system which looks very nice. The "motor" for the AP resides behind the dash instead of in front, like the Raymarine, so it doesn't cut into the operators leg room. Andrew's installation thread is here.

Let us know what you end up installing.

dave
 
I have the Ray Marine setup in my EC21 and love it. Like Dave said it is no longer in production and Raymarine doesn't want to deal with the Sport Pilot drive anymore. I think they encountered problems with the drive being used on high speed powerful boats that taxed the drive mechanism too much. I was fortunate to get one of the last new ones from a distributors stock. When I installed my Raymarine Sport Pilot drive, I studied Dave's Raymarine install pictures where he shimmed the steering box back from the the dash allowing the sport pilot drive to fit flush with the dash behind the wheel. I am 6'1" and 230 pounds. I have no problem with knee clearance with the wheel using that mounting method.

If I hadn't found the Raymarine unit I was going to go the Simrad route.
 
Hello Ray,

We used to use a Raymarine wheel mounted autopilot but they have been discontinued again. The cable driven pilots seem to be a little harder to come by but not impossible. You'll most likely need an octopus drive for the helm mounted unit with someone's controller to operate them. I would follow the recommendations of some previous posts on here as I think some have done some pretty good write ups on what they have installed in their R21's.

Good luck!

Andrew Custis
 
R.W.Zickrick

You may be lucky as I was in late 2015 by finding the discontinued RayMarine AP on eBay. I secured a brand new one in its original box and had that installed in our R-21EC. It works well and I did have to have the sliding helm seat installed to provide more leg/knee room as the RayMarine AP does reduce the distance between the wheel and the seat by some 2 to 3 inches. However, having used the boat now I actually find I run the boat with the seat folded and sit on it side-saddle which amazingly enough is quite comfortable even for long periods of time.

If you can find one I'm sure Andrew would give you some excellent installation instructions. I would also make sure any used or even a new one like I obtained should be updated with latest software from RayMarine which if I recall can be downloaded from their web site.

I'm very pleased with my RayMarine AP.

Good luck with finding and installing the AP. It's a very worthwhile addition for the R-21EC IMO.
 
Thanks for some feedback on the auto pilot.
I do see a used SPX-5R Raymarine unit on e-bay.
The prospect of buying used electronics is not that
appealing. I think I'll look into Simrad.
 
rayzickrick wrote:
I would like to purchase and install an auto pilot on my 2014 21-EC.
What make or brand is the factory using if someone has auto pilot
installed at the factory?

Hello Ray,

I don't know what the factory currently offers for the 21EC.

I've got the Raymarine Smartpilot EV-200 set up. It works well. Pics in my photo file. Last I knew Raymarine discontinued that model.

Andrew Appleton installed the Simrad octopus drive system which looks very nice. The "motor" for the AP resides behind the dash instead of in front, like the Raymarine, so it doesn't cut into the operators leg room. Andrew's installation thread is here.

Let us know what you end up installing.

dave

Dave,
For some reason the photos did not come through on the link you sent me.
Could you send the images via a PM? Thank you, Ray
 
rayzickrick":3k3n7v7j said:
rayzickrick wrote:
Andrew Appleton installed the Simrad octopus drive system which looks very nice. The "motor" for the AP resides behind the dash instead of in front, like the Raymarine, so it doesn't cut into the operators leg room. Andrew's installation thread is here.

Let us know what you end up installing.

dave

Dave,
For some reason the photos did not come through on the link you sent me.
Could you send the images via a PM? Thank you, Ray
Click to expand...

Hello Ray,

If you are referring to the photos of Andrew Appleton's Simrad installation...I can't help you since I don't personally have those pics. Barry (BAZ) posted them for Andrew but has since deleted them so they no longer show in the original thread. Maybe Barry will see this and PM them to you?

Pics of my own installation of the now-discontinued Raymarine AP are in my photo file.

/dave
 
Thank you Dave.
I did just (tonight) order the AP24 by Simrad.
Also a 20 degree bezel. Hope the install goes well.
 
rayzickrick":1f4q9hxn said:
Thank you Dave.
I did just (tonight) order the AP24 by Simrad.
Also a 20 degree bezel. Hope the install goes well.
Click to expand...


That should work.

You will REALLY enjoy having an AP on your 21EC. It's the BEST mod.

/dave
 
Hi Ray,
If you have any problems mounting the Simrad, give me shout. It was quite easy to do and with the 20 degree bezel you will have more leg room than before. I mounted the bracket for the helm drive behind the dash so that the steering wheel is as far forward as possible, giving even more leg room. The existing steering cable will feed into the helm drive without any modification, despite what the instructions may tell you. It may be necessary to drill new holes in the bezel bracket to fit the helm drive. You can contact me at Deniseappleton@hotmail.com
Andrew Appleton
 
Hi Ray,

If you can let us know how the install goes (Simrad AP24) and what you think of it after you've used it, that would be great. I am interested in getting an Autopilot someday.

thanks Bob
 
Hello Bob, I have been asking a lot of questions. AA says I am not a problem. I am just waiting for a fresh memory card for my camera so I can photo my trials and tribulations. I'll be sure and keep everyone in the loop. Wish me luck and Happy 4th of July!
 
Please view my photo album. In it are some fresh photos of the install and sea trial. Auto pilot is everything and more than I hoped it would be. I absolutely love it!
 
rayzickrick":2ra7k3ok said:
Please view my photo album. In it are some fresh photos of the install and sea trial. Auto pilot is everything and more than I hoped it would be. I absolutely love it!
Click to expand...

WOW Ray, that is a NICE installation you have there.

I agree that an AP is a great accessory...by FAR the most used 'add-on' my boat has...and i've got LOTS of mods to compare it to. Anyway, as you are finding, the AP will greatly enhance your boating experiences.

dave
 
Thanks Dave. I relied heavily on Andrew Appleton as he had previously installed the Simrad also.
 
It sort of worked but when I clicked on the link the photo is so small.
 
Ray: Nice installation and I'm sure you will now enjoy auto piloting.... it's the way to go for sure. Well done. 🙂
 
Yes Ray, very well done on the auto pilot installation and thanks for the pictures. Maybe in the fall I can try an installation with some pointers from you.

How do you like the 20 degree angle mounting of the helm?

Great work! Bob
 
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