B&G vs Simrad vs Raymarine sailing autopilots

Three brands, but really two hardware families. B&G and Simrad are both Navico and share the NAC-2 and NAC-3 course computers and the Precision-9 compass; they differ in the control head and the software's priorities. Raymarine's Evolution is a separate family with the EV-1 sensor and ACU course computers.

For a sailing yacht the decision comes down to how much you value wind steering and racing features against price, integration and the dealer down the road. B&G is the sailing specialist, Simrad is the powerboat version of the same hardware, and Raymarine is the all-rounder that most Australian yacht dealers stock.

List the required functions in plain language: holding a heading, following a supported wind reference, using a route and changing control stations. Then ask each supplier to demonstrate those functions on the proposed combination of instruments, pilot computer, display and software.

An existing sailing instrument network may favour a familiar ecosystem, but a network connection does not establish that every control or data function is supported. Record which device supplies wind, heading, boat speed and position, and ask what happens when a required source becomes unavailable.

Request separate scope for drive installation, source selection, calibration, sea trial and owner instruction. A brand comparison is incomplete if one quote includes those tasks and another supplies only hardware. Ask who investigates a fault that crosses the instrument network and steering installation.

For Australian cruising away from the home port, establish how the chosen installer provides remote assistance and which parts can be serviced locally. Named support contacts and a documented configuration are more useful than a general claim that a brand has broad coverage.