Autopilot for Motor Yachts: Size and Power

Why size and steering decide the pick

For a motor yacht, the autopilot choice follows two things: the size of the boat and the steering system it already carries. Size matters because the drive has to match the force the steering has to manage; steering matters because the drive has to connect to what is aboard. A listing that names a pack line and a drive type is telling you both.

Raymarine's power pilot packs set the pattern. The EV-100 Power Pilot is described for small powerboats with hydraulic steering, the EV-150 for small to medium powerboats, the EV-200 for medium to large powerboats, and the EV-400 for large powerboats with hydraulic steering. The tier name in the listing signals the size class the maker intends. Compare those tiers against your boat in the marine autopilot overview and the powerboat autopilot guide.

Furuno states a different range for the NavPilot 300: it is described for planing and semi-displacement outboard vessels from 24 to 50 feet with one to four outboard engines. The stated figures belong to the maker's page; the boat's own steering still decides the drive.

Start with the steering system

The first question is not how big the yacht is but what steering it has. Hydraulic steering is common on larger powerboats; the autopilot drive for it is a hydraulic pump that moves the steering fluid. Boats with mechanical steering take a linear or rotary drive, and boats with an electronic helm take a solenoid or drive-by-wire unit. The hydraulic autopilots guide and the steer-by-wire autopilots guide cover these families.

Raymarine's pack list separates these families clearly. The EV-100, EV-150, EV-200 and EV-400 power pilots are hydraulic steering packs; the EV-300 Solenoid Pilot is for boats with solenoid-controlled power steering; and the EV-DBW Pilot is for boats with digital drive-by-wire steering systems, with a Volvo edition for boats with Volvo Penta IPS or Aquamatic propulsion.

If you cannot tell which steering system the boat has, the maker's page says to consult an authorized dealer. The boat's manual also names the steering. This article cannot infer the drive from a listing, but it can point you to the right comparison. See hydraulic steering explained and steer-by-wire explained for the general terms.

Hydraulic pump sizing for a motor yacht

When the motor yacht has hydraulic steering, the autopilot pump has to match the steering system's displacement range. Displacement, in this context, is the volume of fluid the steering system moves when the helm turns. The pump is sized to that volume; the maker's pump table is the source for the match, not a listing title.

Raymarine's hydraulic pump types show the tiers. The Type 0.5 hydraulic pump is described for boats with hydraulic steering of 50 to 110cc (3.1 to 6.7 cubic inches); the Type 1 for 80 to 230cc; the Type 2 for 230 to 350cc; and the Type 3 for 350 to 500cc. A listing that names a pump type is telling you the steering range the pack is built for. The hydraulic autopilots guide compares those packs on stated details.

Rotary and linear drives are tiered by vessel displacement instead. Raymarine lists Type 1 rotary drives for vessels up to 11,000 kg (24,000 lbs), Type 2 rotary drives up to 20,000 kg (44,000 lbs), and Type 1 linear drives up to 11,000 kg (24,000 lbs). These figures come from the maker's drive unit page; compare them with the boat's stated displacement only where the boat's manual gives it. For the general difference between drive families, see autopilot drive types.

Control options and the NMEA 2000 network

The control head is the part you operate. A pack may include one or not; a pack sold without a control head expects you to bring your own control or use a compatible display. On a motor yacht, you may want a head at the lower helm, one on the flybridge, or access through a multifunction display. The autopilot with control head guide shows which packs name the head in the box.

The NMEA 2000 standard is the marine network that connects the autopilot to chartplotters and other instruments. The standard describes a low-cost, moderate-capacity, bidirectional network that interconnects marine electronic devices; equipment designed to it shares data, including commands and status, over a single channel. Products that read or transmit NMEA 2000 information must be certified by NMEA. For how this affects a purchase, see NMEA 2000 connectivity.

Some models offer remote options. Furuno's NavPilot 300 includes a Gesture Controller that uses Bluetooth to control the autopilot from anywhere on the boat within 10 meters, per the maker's page. A remote is an accessory a listing may name; the control head remains the primary interface. Compare control head options for the different forms a head takes.

Complete packs and core packs

A complete pack includes the drive and the control head; a core pack may leave the drive out. For a motor yacht, the drive is the part that has to match the steering, so the pack choice often comes down to keeping or replacing that piece. The complete autopilot packs guide and the core packs guide compare both on stated details.

Read the pack title for the line and the type. Raymarine's power pilots name the line (EV-100, EV-150, EV-200, EV-400) and the type (power); the drive and the head appear in the bullet list. Furuno's NavPilot packs name the display, sometimes with a pump designation added. Compare two listings on what they state in the box.

If the yacht already has a working drive you plan to keep, a core pack is the route to consider. If you are building a new system, a complete pack names the drive and head together, which is easier to compare. The difference between the two pack families is covered in core pack vs complete pack.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

What size motor yacht needs which autopilot pack?

The maker's own tiers are the reference. Raymarine's EV-100 is for small powerboats, the EV-150 for small to medium, the EV-200 for medium to large, and the EV-400 for large powerboats with hydraulic steering. Furuno's NavPilot 300 is stated for planing and semi-displacement outboard vessels from 24 to 50 feet. Match the tier to the boat's size, then confirm the drive with the steering system.

What does 'power pilot' mean in a listing title?

'Power pilot' signals the boat type the pack is for: a powerboat with hydraulic steering, as opposed to a sail pilot for sailboats. The word before it, such as EV-200 or EV-400, names the model line and its intended size class.

How do I know which hydraulic pump my boat needs?

The steering system's displacement range decides it. Raymarine lists Type 0.5 for 50 to 110cc, Type 1 for 80 to 230cc, Type 2 for 230 to 350cc, and Type 3 for 350 to 500cc. Confirm the boat's range from the boat manual or a dealer; a listing that names a pump type tells you the intended range.

Do I need a control head or can I use my chartplotter?

That depends on the pack and the network. A complete pack includes a control head; a core pack may not. If the equipment connects over NMEA 2000, data from compatible devices can be shared, but check the maker's page for the model before assuming a shared display.

Can I keep my existing hydraulic steering?

Yes, in the sense that the autopilot drive connects to the steering already aboard. Keeping an existing drive is the core pack scenario: the control head and sensor are new, while the drive stays. Confirm with the maker's page that the retained drive is supported.

Is this article an installation guide?

No. Installation and commissioning are covered by the maker's manual and a qualified installer. This article only helps you choose what to buy, based on the stated details in the listings and the maker's own pages.