Below Deck Autopilot

AutoPilot System Components

• Raymarine EV-200 Sail Autopilot (T70155)
• Anchor Express $1,660 + $11 shipping
• Octopus 1212LAR12 linear drive
• Defender  $1,615
• Tests show that the patented piston pump unit used in the Octopus Linear Actuator is three times more efficient than the gear pump used by a leading competitor. An Octopus Linear Actuator can be expected to steer a vessel more than twice as far on the same battery charge
• rated for vessels up to 60ft or 33,00 lbs
• 12V @ 4-6A/19A average/max current

Raymarine EV-200 Sail Autopilot

Octopus 1212LAR12

Mounting the Octopus Linear Drive

Radial Drive Bracket

An Edson rudder stop post machined to accept the Octopus
piston rod end.

The Radial to Octopus piston rod end connection. The
mounting post was bolted with 316SS bolts coated with
Tef-Gel.  A layer of DMD (dacron-maylar-dacron) isolates
 the mounting post bracket from the radial to prevent galvanic
corrosion.  In addition, the mounting post bracket was painted
with black epoxy paint.

A side view of the the Radial to Octopus connection.

Mounting the Octopus Linear Drive

Remote pump for the Octopus drive was
mounted on the engine well side of the  quarter berth
 bulkhead just below the access panel.

Scupper Relocation and Octopus Mount Bolts

Rudder Indicator Installation

The rudder indicator arm mounted on G10 prior to installation

Rudder arm bolted to the rudder tube stringer next to the
steering radial drive. 

Custom made bracket rudder indicator.

Radial drive showing the bolt couples prior to mounting the
custom made indicator bracket.

Rudder indicator with bracket and linkage. 

View of the rudder indicator bracket and linkage. 

Side view of the rudder indicator bracket and linkage. 

Autopilot Controller Mount

The p70 autopilot controller is mounted starboard of the helm.
This provides easy access to the controller from the
helm and the cockpit.  But more importantly it uses the same
hole as the old SPX-5 wheel pilot controller.