Raymarine EV-300 Solenoid Autopilot (Solenoid Steering)

The Raymarine EV-300 Solenoid autopilot is a specialized solution for large motor vessels (such as yachts, commercial boats, or ships with electro-hydraulic steering) where the rudder is controlled by solenoid valves or a constant-running hydraulic pump system. This package includes the ACU-300 actuator control unit, which is designed to interface directly with the vessel’s steering solenoids, the EV-1 heading sensor, and the p70Rs control head, along with the necessary networking components (SeaTalk^ng cables).

The ACU-300 provides high current output and versatility, operating on both 12 V and 24 V systems, making it suitable for larger yachts with dual voltage setups. With ACU-300, the EV-300 can drive the hydraulic system’s electromagnetic valves directly, delivering instant and precise rudder response to autopilot commands. Additionally, the EV-300 Solenoid is compatible with Raymarine and third-party constant-running pumps – if your vessel has a continuously running hydraulic pump, the ACU-300 can control it by opening/closing bypass solenoids (or regulating flow) as needed.

As part of the Evolution series, the EV-300 benefits from the same 9-axis EV-1 sensor and adaptive steering algorithms. No manual calibration is required – the autopilot self-adjusts to the handling characteristics of your large vessel, compensating for inertia, slower rudder response, and other factors typical of bigger ships. You get stable course-keeping integrated with your navigation electronics (GPS, radar, chartplotter) via SeaTalk^ng/NMEA2000 network. The p70Rs controller with rotary knob makes it easy to switch between auto and standby modes and provides quick access to advanced patterns like track-following or fishing maneuvers (e.g. zigzag, figure-eight patterns).

Use Cases & Recommendations: The EV-300 Solenoid is intended for large motor yachts and ships that often employ power-steering systems with solenoid control – for example, yachts above ~12–15 m, many of which use 24 V systems. This autopilot is ideal when traditional drive units (pumps, mechanical drives) are not used, and instead the autopilot must command electro-hydraulic valves in a central steering system. Recommendation: Ensure that you install the EV-1 sensor as close as possible to the vessel’s center of motion to provide the autopilot with accurate movement data – this is especially critical on bigger ships for optimal performance. The EV-300 Solenoid will take charge of your vessel’s helm, providing dependable course or track keeping even on long transits and in challenging conditions.