Bob,

A buddy of mine just installed a Raymarine Evolution EV-100 on his C&C36.  Not the same boat, but I was really impressed with the A/P.  Seems much better than the older ST4000 models which I had.

Tom,

I see the EV-100 has a maximum displacement rating right around our weight.  I'd be a bit nervous about installing the EV-100 for our boats because of that.

I installed a Raymarine below deck a year ago on an 87 C 36. I submitted the installation and pictures to the website, which may be put out in our fall edition.

I too put the ST 6002 auto pilot in some years ago, an article is floating around the website, maybe Jibsheet, but BEST money I have ever spent on a boat!!!!!  No matter the wind or waves it holds a true course, I wouldn't go any other way.  

Chic Lasser

Past Commodore

Look up Larry Brants installation. He covers electronics, and the below deck linear ram. My story was just specific to mounting the ram on a C 36. Larry lucked out on mounting under the swim platform on a Mk1

Bob - I have the same vintage simrad,  it's a hydraulic under-deck model, but - I might be interested in some of the other parts for spares...

I looked for a way to PM you in the forum, but could not find the personal message function...

I checked on the PM part of the new website and it seems it is not avvailable (at least as of yet).

I had my ST 4000 fail and replaced it with an ST 6002 also. Have yet to really test it but it seemed like the easiest replacement at the best cost for now anyway.

Didn't know that was designed for below deck rams. It sure would have saved me alot of work. Always wanted you to know how much I appreciated your article. I had done electronics before, but the ram and tiller arm was there on my previous Cheoy Lee, so buying and building my own was new turf. The instructions were appreciated and was the final push to install a robust system.

   It was such available information from the site that motivated me to give back and document my C 36 mount.

I am looking at getting the EV-100 installed.  Any more feedback on it?  My type of sailing doesn't really warrant the below decks model.  Hell, I've been limping along with the old belt drive Autohelm 3000 for years with pretty good success.  Unit finally went wonky and it's time for an upgrade.  Best place to source it?  WM has it for $1600.

Well 'I'm very happy with the Ev 100. Had it about one year now. Maybe 1500 miles. Perfect in motoring conditions. A couple times with big cross swell conditions I wanted a faster stronger unit. Last time I looked Defender had the best price. I paid around $1500. If I have the money next time I will go with a below deck pilot. I still think is strong enough most of the time.

The PO of my boat had the ST5000. All of the electronics were stripped and stolen from the cockpit, so I still have the wheel drive unit and the GPS puck, and I think the rudder sensor. Does anyone know if I can use the EV-100 control head with the old ST5000 accessories? 

Are you sure it was a ST5000 not a ST4000? I would call Raymarine with your questions.
If it's a ST4000, I think the wheel drive unit is the same. There is a Black and gray unit. I think the gray is later. The electronics, other than the drive unit is completely different between the 4000 and the EV 1000 .
In the long run I think it will cost more to buy the head unit, computer and cables separately than the whole kit.  If you only need the ST4000 head you might find one used. (EBAY?)
There is a market for used auto pilot stuff of EBAY. I sold parts of a 3000 and 4000 auto pilots for a good price. I think I sold my good working ST4000 head unit for 100 bucks.