Autohelm/Rayethon/Raymarine history

[howar...@comcast.net]

Raymarine discussions have me trying to recall their history.  I think I had an Autohelm ST4000 on my new Catalina 34 in 1988.  I also think that I had a Rayethon radar.

I guess these are the 2 companies that merged to create Raymarine?????

I recall discussions about SeaTalk/NMEA compatibility at some point.

Anyone have the correct details?

Howard.....having a "senior moment".

[Peter James]

Raymarine was originally an independent UK company. Autohelm was a brand name for its autopilots. It was bought by Raytheon, and became a subsidiary. A few years ago, there was a buyout and the company became independent again and reverted to the Raymarine brand name. It was starved of R&D funds under Raytheon, and since the buyout has put a lot into new products such as the C-series and E-Series.

 

Seatalk is similar in some ways to NMEA0183 but not the same. Raymarine makes an interface box to convert between the two. Seatalk has three wires: power, data and ground and some instruments such as the ST60s can be powered from the Seatalk cable. Others, like autopilots and displays, need a separate power cable.

 

Seatalk2, which is used on the E-Series and ST290 instruments, is NMEA2000 under a different name.

 

Alles klar?

 

Peter

Aracdia, B50

Stamford, CT

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From: Benetea...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Benetea...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of howar...@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 1:26 PM
To: Google Beneteau
Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Autohelm/Rayethon/Raymarine history

[Peter James]

Does anyone know of a reliable, friendly, professional, helpful US dealer for Perkins engine spares and aftermarket parts? The local dealer in the NE is Dr. Diesel at Foley engines and he sadly has none of these characteristics.

 

Peter James

Arcadia

 

[John Peterson]

I’ve used Transatlantic Diesel mail order in the past with good results www.tadiesels.com.

 

John Peterson

S/V Charrette

First 38

 

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[Edward English]

I believe that Autohelm was an English company that was acquired by
Ratheon in the early 90's. In the mid to late 90's, you began to see
the name change over to Raymarine.
Ed

[Bruce Bates]

Yes; Hansen Marine in Marblehead MA.

Bruce Allez OC430

----- Original Message -----

From: Peter James

To: Benetea...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 4:30 PM

Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Perkins Dealer

[Jon McClain]

Howard,
As I understand it, Raymarine is a Raytheon spin off. Raytheon
purchased several other manufacturers of Marine equipment, Autohelm was
one of those. Apelco was another. Raytheon continued to use the
Autohelm branding for sometime after the purchase.
Jon McClain

[Stewart Richardson]

I'm certain that's not correct. Raytheon bought out Autohelm and badged the
gear with the Raytheon logo for 5 or 6 years. The current Raymarine company
was formed by a buyout of Raytheon's marine instrument arm by I believe a
co-op of former Autohelm managers in the UK around 5 years ago.

Regards

Stewart
Seattle WA

-----Original Message-----
From: Benetea...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:Benetea...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jon McClain
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 10:47 AM
To: Benetea...@googlegroups.com