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With the RCU 1, Raymarine lets you keep control of the Evolution autopilot right in your hand. But this 190-gram remote control does more than just change course?it combines gesture control, onboard data display, and a safety feature for solo sailing.
Activate the autopilot without returning to the helm
The primary function of the RCU 1 is fairly simple to understand: it provides access to the Evolution autopilot without having to remain at the control console.
The remote control is wireless and fits in one hand. It allows you to turn the autopilot on or off and adjust the course from various locations on the boat. On a sailboat, this feature comes in handy when you need to adjust the sheets, monitor a maneuver, or move around on deck while letting the autopilot stay on course.
On a motorboat, this principle can also be applied when moving around on board or during a fishing trip, when the helmsman is not constantly at the console.
The downside of this freedom is obvious: the remote control becomes yet another piece of equipment you have to carry with you and make sure not to misplace on deck. It is also linked to the Evolution autopilot system, which means it is primarily intended for boats already equipped with this Raymarine system.
Point and Go: Change routes by pointing the remote control
With the RCU 1, Raymarine has introduced a control system called ?Point and Go.? Instead of simply entering an angular correction, the navigator can point the handset in the direction they wish to follow. To do this, the remote control uses an AHRS system, which is listed in the technical specifications provided by the manufacturer. The principle involves using the device?s orientation to transmit a new heading to the pilot.
This command can simplify certain course changes when the navigator is far from the helm. However, it requires maintaining a traditional nautical awareness of the situation. Setting a course obviously does not exempt you from watching for other boats, monitoring the depth, or taking the coastline and potential hazards into account.
The remote control, therefore, does not replace the pilot. It simply shifts control from a fixed console to the pilot's hand.
A Solo Sailor feature designed for man-overboard situations
The most distinctive feature of the RCU 1 is called Solo Sailor. It is specifically designed for sailors who use their autopilot when they are alone on board. According to Raymarine, if the person holding the remote control falls overboard, the system automatically commands the boat to turn into the wind.
On a sailboat, this maneuver is intended to reduce the boat?s ability to continue sailing after the skipper falls overboard. This is a major concern in solo sailing: a boat on autopilot can quickly drift away from someone who has fallen overboard.
And this system does not make the RCU 1 the only means of preventing a person from falling overboard. Safety harnesses, lanyards, anchor points, and proper movement procedures remain the primary safeguards against falling overboard.
The boat's data follows the navigator on deck
The RCU 1 features a color display designed to remain readable outdoors and in direct sunlight. It is not used solely to display the autopilot status. The remote control can also display information on heading, speed, depth, wind, and waypoints. This allows the navigator to access a variety of useful data even when away from the cockpit instruments.
On a sailboat, the wind display is particularly useful when trimming the sails or moving forward. Similarly, depth and waypoint information can remain visible even when the navigator is no longer in front of the multifunction display.
However, it is important to distinguish between displays and instrumentation. The RCU 1 uses data available on board. It therefore does not replace the sensors, probes, and other instruments needed to generate that data.
Two AA batteries and up to 30 days of battery life (as advertised)
A wireless remote control is only useful for navigation if it?s available when you need it. Raymarine has opted for two AA batteries instead of a built-in rechargeable battery. The manufacturer claims up to 30 days of continuous use. The practical benefit lies in the ability to replace the batteries on board without needing a USB charger or a specific power source.
For an extended cruise, two spare batteries also take up very little space in the onboard supply of consumables. However, you?ll need to check their condition regularly, especially when the RCU 1 is used as part of the Solo Sailor system.
The RCU 1 is priced at ?360 (including tax) for the remote control unit alone. Raymarine also offers a starter kit that includes the RCU 1 and a WG 1 module, though the information provided does not specify the price of this package.
This compatibility with the Evolution autopilot is both the rationale for and the main limitation of the product. The remote control is a natural fit for a boat already equipped with the Raymarine system. For a boater using a different electronic system, the value of this product cannot be assessed independently of the rest of the installation.
