Overview

The Raymarine E12093 is a Mk II wheel drive unit for wheel-steered sailboats that use a Raymarine wheel pilot setup. It runs on 12 V DC, works with the ACU-100, and is rated for boats up to 7,500 kg loaded displacement, which makes it a fit for many small to mid-size cruising sailboats.

The drive clamps directly to the steering wheel and uses an adjustable clutch lever, so you can switch between autopilot steering and hand steering at the helm. It fits wheels with 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 spokes and is intended for steering systems with 1 to 3.5 turns lock-to-lock.

This is the wheel-drive portion of the pilot system, so the main buying checks are wheel style, helm travel, system voltage, and whether your existing installation uses this Mk II wheel-drive format.

Key features

• 12 V DC wheel-drive unit for wheel-steered sailboats
• Works with Raymarine ACU-100 autopilot control units
• Rated for sailboats up to 7,500 kg or 16,500 lb loaded displacement
• Fits steering wheels with 3 to 8 spokes
• Suited to steering systems with 1 to 3.5 turns lock-to-lock
• Adjustable clutch lever lets you move quickly between pilot control and manual steering
• Wheel-mounted layout keeps the drive in the cockpit for straightforward access and service

Compatibility and fit

This unit suits wheel-steered sailboats, not tiller-steered boats. For replacement work on ST4000+ and newer Raymarine wheel pilot installations, confirm that your system uses this Mk II wheel-drive style and that the boat remains within the recommended loaded displacement range.

Wheel spoke count matters here because the drive mounts directly to the wheel. Helm travel matters as well, since the unit is set up for systems with 1 to 3.5 turns from lock to lock. Those two checks usually tell you more about fit than the boat length alone.

Installation and setup

Installation is centered around wheel fit, spoke clamp position, pedestal bracket alignment, and clear clutch access at the helm. On a replacement job, it is worth checking cable routing and clearance around the pedestal so the wheel can turn freely through the full steering range.

This drive makes sense for sailors who want autopilot control without moving the steering system below deck. It is a strong match for coastal cruising and day sailing boats where the pilot drive stays exposed in the cockpit and needs to be easy to engage and disengage while underway.

What’s included

• Mk II wheel drive unit
• Installation kit