Raymarine Sport-Pilot Remote

[ChrisNorton]

Hi, I installed a Raymarine Sport Pilot two seasons back. I've noticed people mention a wired remote control for it. When the weather gets rainy, I like to stand in the hatch under my dodger with the auto-pilot on while under power. I don't dare go below since it seems to make drastic over-corrections on occasion. It would be ideal if I could operate a remote while under the dodger but still within grabbing distance of the wheel.

I can't find this remote even mentioned anywhere (even on the Raymarine site.) Does anybody know where I can find one or if it even exists?

Thanks,
Chris

[mike]

Here's the basic 4-button/no display remote:

http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/RAY/RAYA15002.html

I have one of these, and it works fine, but they now have a wireless remote that can be had for about $350... if it had been available then, I would have gotten it instead.

--Mike

[Terry Chiccino]

I checked with Raymarine when their new wireless remote came out for their autopilots. The tech person told me that the wireless remote will not work on the Sport Pilot or Pilot plus. The best wired remote for the SportPilot is the Raymarine ST600R. It's $360.00 at West Marine a bit pricey but you can find it cheaper elsewhere online and WM will match the price. Raymarine model RAYMA#A12016.

[Chip Hindes]

I checked with Raymarine when their new wireless remote came out for their autopilots. The tech person told me that the wireless remote will not work on the Sport Pilot or Pilot plus.

Several months ago I had this same discussion with somebody, I believe it was probably Duane. Though I still believe the ST4000 is by far the better autopilot for the Mac, the Sportpilot has its advantages and about the remote he was right, I was wrong. The following wireless remotes work "with any SeaTalk autoilot" [quotes from Raymarine]. Both the Sportpilot and Sportpilot Plus are SeaTalk enabled.

Though dang, even discounted that's a lot of money.

[mike]

Not to stray far off-topic here, but I notice the wireless remote has a range of about 30ft. That's plenty for most boats, but I have to wonder... did they intentionally limit the range to 30ft. to prevent some bonehead from trying to use his boat as a giant R/C model, steering from the shore?

--Mike

[Chip Hindes]

What a cool idea (steering your boat from ashore.) More likely, though it's to prevent the guy in the next boat from inadvertantly steering yours in some other direction; and vice versa. Unless they're multiplexed or coded in some way. Moe?

Actually, one of my scary scenarios involves falling off the boat when singlehanding on autopilot and having it continue to sail away from me forever. I was thinking if I had one of these remotes, was still conscious and acted quickly I could tell the boat to head into the wind, and at least have a fighting chance of being able to swim to it.

Not if it quits listening to the remote as soon as the boat's one length away, though.

[Moe]

They could certainly be coded... like remote openers for automobiles, garage door openers, etc... but I sorta doubt it since they have the limited range on their side.

What's needed for single-handed autopilots is something like the Martha Stewart collection ankle-bracelet. You get too far from the boat and the rudder goes hard over.
--
Moe

[mike]

What's needed for single-handed autopilots is something like the Martha Stewart collection ankle-bracelet. You get too far from the boat and the rudder goes hard over.

EXACTLY! I'd even settle for something similar to the safety lanyards for outboards.

--Mike

[ChrisNorton]

Thanks for the info. I too was freaked out about going overboard with the autopilot on. I had it on two seasons ago in some heavy wind and was sort of hiked out on the edge of the cockpit and was thinking that if I went over I'd be done and the boat would be gone. It did give me enough pause to put on my life jacket and grab ahold of the main sheet.

So Mike, you are happy with the wired remote?

Chip, the website says the wireless remote does work with any Seatalk enabled autopilot but right below that they list the compatible raymarine autopilots and the SportPilots aren't listed. Are you certain it works with them? Has anyone used a wireless remote yet with the SportPilot?

Also, what is involved with installed either one? I have limited knowledge about this. I currently have my Garmin GPS hooked into the auto-pilot. Doesn't that use the one wire used for Seatalk/NMIA? If so, would I just splice the remote into that wire?

Thanks for the help all,
Chris

[Scott]

I love my remote. Just buy a long enough sea talk cable to reach the autopilot head from the remote plug and plug it in.

Sometimes I sit on the pulpit when singlehanding and freakout the other boaters. If you are running under main only and have your instuments networked you can even auto tack, very cool!!

On edit, it would be even cooler if you rigged up a self tacking jib.

[Billy]

I've had my wired remote for about 3 years now and use it on almost all the long trips. I've sit on the cabin top and slalomed through crab pot markers. In extremely adverse conditions, I have stacked cushions on the aft dinette seat in order to see out the forward windows and steered from below--all dry and watching the waves come over the bow.

The remote takes the SportPilot to another level. Seemed pricey when I ordered it, but it has been well worth it.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Chris,

Your GPS is most likely conected to the NMEA port on the sport pilot (unless it's a Raymarine GPS). The Seatalk port is a separate physical plug on the Sport Pilot. Using the NMEA communications does not exclude you from also using the SeaTalk communications.

The NMEA shares the same plug as the power leads. The Seatalk is the horizontaly orientated plug next to it.

[mike]

So Mike, you are happy with the wired remote?

For the most part, yes. Similar to how Billy uses his, I sometimes like to stand in the companionway area and steer when I'm trying to weave my way through the crab trap obstacle course.

The cord sometimes gets in the way... it doesn't really bother me, but I'm afraid I'm going to break it one day while scurrying around the cockpit.

So, although the cordless remote would be my preference now, I don't dislike the simple wired model enough to get rid of it in favor of the wireless.

--Mike

[ChrisNorton]

Thanks for the feedback.

I think I will try the wireless out. It is $399 at westmarine. $350 is the lowest I have found elsewhere.

Can anyone recommend a good place to buy this at $350? I haven't had experience with any of these smaller places and some look a little fly-by-night (that was a great Rush album...but not good when shelling out hundreds.)

Thanks,
Chris

[Terry Chiccino]

Chris I would be interested in how the wireless remote works for you. I spoke to the tech people at Raymarine today and they stated that the wireless remote will work on the Sportpilots but they do not recommend using them. You might call the tech group and listen to their reasons why before you buy.