Raymarine Sportpilot Problem

[jigstick]

Ive had the new Evolution 200 Sportpilot installed on my boat for 2 years now, and it has worked awesome.  This past weekend I was out salmon trolling from Olcott all day long, about 12-15hrs of trolling.  Towards the end of the day I noticed that the steering wheel was getting difficult to turn manually when the autopilot was disengaged.  Anybody else with this unit ever hear of this?  The autopilot itself had no problems turning the boat.  It was only when I manually tried to turn the wheel that it got stiff.

[bearhunter]

Yes

Sent mine back to new hampshire. They repaired it under warranty. Heat is sticking the clutches.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

[jigstick]

Can u describe the clutches to me? Are they metal? Can I fabricate them myself? I'm a machinist and have a lot of equipment at my disposal. I'm not sure if ray marine is still servicing these units

[Tall Tails]

Are you sure its the autopilot and not your steering cable going bad?  Only way to know that is to remove the sport pilot head and then try and turn the wheel.

[jigstick]

I really think it's inside the autopilot. I let the boat sit over night. And when I went back in the morning it was easier to turn manually. ??? Do you think it will recover? And I shouldn't run it for extended periods like that in the future? Can I order a new clutch somewhere?

[sszoldra]

Call Raymarine. The guys that repair these things are the best.  I thought I had a problem with mine and they worked with me on the phone while I was out on the lake trolling.  I also sent my computer back to them last winter and they upgraded it for free.

[jigstick]

Apparently ray marine customer service has been absolutely terrible lately. Especially in regards to these auto pilot units. But I guess it's worth a try. Where they helping you with this particular drive unit?

[Reel Overtime]

I have noticed the same thing with mine, tight after a day trolling but good next day,  Im going to wait untill fall to send in so im not with out an autopilot....

mine is three yrs old..

[jigstick]

Send it in where? My research is telling me that Raymarine no longer services the unit. I can't even find parts for it.

[bearhunter]

Nashua new hampshire. Just Google raymarine and send it to that address with a note of the problem. Mine did the exact same thing and they turned it around in 8 days.

Sent from my SM-T520 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

[jigstick]

How long ago did u send it

[L&M]

Here is the link for everything you need to know Including phn number for questions on returns for repair. 

 

http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=837

 

 

Mon-Fri, 8.15am-5pm (EST)

Raymarine Product Repair Center

9 Townsend West
Nashua
NH 03063
USA

+1 603 324 7900

[email protected]

[vetting]

Make sure your power steering belt is really tight.  I had the same thing and it was just that the belt loosened up a bit.  The hard turning would come and go depending on how well the belt was gripping at the time.  I tightened up the belt as much as I could my moving the power steering pulley/fill bottle and the boat turns like a dream now 24x7

[jigstick]

Where is that belt located? Back by the engine by the power assist cylinder? I have a merc I/o with power assisted rack and pinion steering.

[Xxx]

It's up front of the motor my power steering is the high belt and the low belt is the alternator.