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Marine Autopilot

Below-deck system · Raymarine

Raymarine Evolution EV-150 Hydraulic

Raymarine's pack for hydraulically steered cruisers and sportsfishers up to the mid-30-foot range.

Indicative price
$3,900–$4,900 unit
Fitted
$5,200–$7,500
Rated for
Vessels to 12 t
Editor score
70 / 100
HydraulicFishing and trailer boatsPower cruisingCoastal cruising

The EV-150 pairs the Evolution EV-1 sensor with an ACU-150 course computer and a Type 1 hydraulic pump. It is aimed at the boats that fill Australian marinas: hydraulically steered sportsfishers, half-cabins with hydraulic outboards, and small flybridge cruisers. The p70Rs push-button head suits a power boat helm better than the rotary p70s.

On a planing hull the value of a good autopilot is fuel and fatigue. A boat that yaws two degrees each side of course at 22 knots burns measurably more than one that runs straight, and on a two-hour run out to the Continental Shelf off Sydney or Port Stephens that adds up. The EV-150 holds a straight wake and the pattern steering modes (circle, zigzag, cloverleaf) are genuinely useful for game fishing.

The limit is pump capacity. A Type 1 pump suits steering cylinders in the 80–230 cc range; larger vessels need the EV-200 or EV-400 with a bigger pump. A is strongly recommended on any hydraulic system.

Verdict

Choose the EV-150 for a 7–11 m hydraulically steered power boat that runs offshore to fish or cruises between ports. Buy the rudder reference. If you want to grab the wheel without pressing a button, compare it carefully with the Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic and its Shadow Drive.

Raymarine Evolution EV-150 Hydraulic drive sizing

Sized by steering cylinder volume rather than displacement: the Type 1 pump suits cylinders of roughly 80–230 cc. Typical fit is a 7–11 m hydraulically steered power boat.

Specifications

Autopilot components, voltage and steering modes

Sensor
EV-1 nine-axis sensor core
Course computer
ACU-150, 12 V, for Type 1 hydraulic pumps
Control
p70Rs push-button head or Axiom MFD
Drive
Type 1 reversible hydraulic pump plumbed into the existing steering circuit
Voltage
12 V DC
Network
SeaTalkng, NMEA 2000 (via adaptor)
Power draw
1.5 A typical, 8 A peak. Pump draws while correcting only. Averaged draw on a planing boat is usually 1–2 A.
Steering systems
Hydraulic

Modes

  • Auto (heading)
  • Track (route following)
  • Pattern steering: circle, zigzag, cloverleaf, spiral
  • Power steer via head or MFD

Features

  • Fishing pattern steering built in
  • Evolution AI adaptive tuning, no sea trial commissioning
  • Works with Raymarine Axiom for one-touch route following
  • Optional rudder reference for tighter control

For and against

Autopilot strengths and limitations

Strengths
  • Well matched to the hydraulically steered sportsfishers Australians actually own
  • Pattern modes are useful for trolling and drifting
  • Raymarine dealers know it well and stock spares
Limitations
  • 12 V only; 24 V boats need the EV-200 or EV-400
  • No hydraulic override sensing equivalent to Garmin's Shadow Drive; you press Standby to take the wheel
  • Pump noise is audible in a quiet cabin

Who fits it

Boats and places where this system is recommended

Australian waters

  • Gold Coast and Tweed → Sized for the 7 to 11 metre hydraulic power boats that make up most of the local fleet, and a straightforward match if the boat already runs Raymarine displays at the helm.

Questions

Raymarine Evolution EV-150 Hydraulic: frequently asked

Will the EV-150 work with my outboard's hydraulic steering?

Yes, on most SeaStar and similar hydraulic outboard systems, provided the cylinder volume suits the Type 1 pump. Very large twin-outboard installations may exceed it. Your installer will measure the cylinder before quoting.

Is a rudder reference transducer necessary?

Not strictly, but on hydraulic steering it is worth it. Without one the autopilot infers rudder position from the boat's response, which is slower and less precise, particularly at low speed in a marina approach.

Alternatives to consider

The systems most often weighed against this one.

Other below-deck system systems

Head to head

Comparisons featuring this system

ProductsRaymarine EV-100 vs Garmin Reactor 40 →For a sailing yacht under 7.5 tonnes, the EV-100 wins on sailing behaviour, pack completeness and price. For any hydraulically steered…ProductsRaymarine EV-100 Power vs Raymarine EV-150 Power →Choose the package supported for the steering cylinder and circuit. EV-150 is not simply a better EV-100 for every small boat, and a…ProductsRaymarine EV-150 Power vs Raymarine EV-200 Power →Keep a suitable EV-150 configuration on the shortlist when it meets the verified requirement. Investigate EV-200 Power when the supported…ProductsRaymarine EV-150 Power vs Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic →Choose on a supported hydraulic configuration and the controls you need aboard. A compatible existing chartplotter may influence the…ProductsRaymarine EV-150 Power vs Furuno NAVpilot-300 →EV-150 is worth shortlisting for a compatible hydraulic installation with appropriate helm controls. NAVpilot-300 warrants a closer look…
Check the finder’s viewLearn to use itManufacturer site ↗

Autopilot commissioning and operator training

A $7,500 installation with no handover is a gamble. Half a day on the water with the installer or an instructor covers the modes, the override, the alarms and a failure drill. It is the cheapest safety equipment aboard.

Find an instructorOpen the competency checklist