Need a RayMarine/Raytheon or Autohelm instrument or autopilot repaired? I have some good news for you . . .
Our Raymarine ST60 Tri Data display was shot. The center of the LCD had darkened almost completely — it got even worse than in the photo above — to the point where it was tough to see the depth and impossible to see the speed.
We contacted several Raymarine dealers and the answer was the same “Sorry, but we don’t repair those. But I can sell you a new display that will work with your existing wiring.” Price? Generally over $600 (even at Defender on their boat show sale, the display was almost $500).
Whew.
So I turned to the internet. eBay had the answer: a guy sold replacement LCD displays and, if you didn’t want to attempt the very fine soldering to install it, you could send him your display and he’d install it for free. Cost? $139 plus shipping both ways (it totalled about $160 with postage).
This sounded much, much better!
I contacted the man and found out that his name is Dan Gerhardt. I sent Dan our display and a couple of days later he sent me a picture of it with the new LCD . . . and told me that he’d discovered that the buttons weren’t working well, so he’d replaced them too – free. He then set up a special eBay “item” for the work and gave me the item number. I plugged that into the eBay search bar, bought it and paid. A couple of days later, I had the display back and it works beautifully!
Dan and I emailed back and forth a few more times as we also have a Raymarine wind instrument that does not work properly – we think it needs new bearings, but again the Raymarine dealers can’t repair it (but they’ll sell me a new one for $350). Turns out he works on those, too. We’ll be taking ours down as part of our rigging project and will send it off to him – he says if it’s the bearings, it’s $99 plus shipping; if it needs other work, he’ll let us know. (These prices are as of October 2016.)
Dan gave me permission to share his info here on The Boat Galley. He told me, “I buy, sell, repair mostly autopilots, some instruments, Raymarine/Autohelm/Raytheon only.” He has great feedback from satisfied customers on eBay (see it here – 5 stars in every category and all positive reviews — obviously part of why I felt comfortable sending our gear off to him).
Dan doesn’t always have “for sale” listings on eBay but if you send him an email, you can work something out. Be sure to tell him brand, model and the type of problem that you’re having.
You can email Dan here.
I highly recommend Dan – I’d much rather repair gear than replace it! NOTE: I have no connection to him other than as an extremely satisfied customer.
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Rosalind Franks says
This is great info. We have a wind speed display that could use some help. Thanks for sharing!
LisaMarie Gauci Takacs says
Great info, as always. Thanks! Kent Takacs
Stacey On SV Smitty says
Wow! Good to know. Thank you.
Wes on Natamus says
Dan repaired my ST5000 autopilot to great satisfaction. We’re very happy with it.
Scott Leclerc says
Lyndon Greene
Eric Parker says
Good article. I just did this with a dodgy GPS receiver. Different ebay seller however.
Ritchard Findlay says
Great info – thanks.
Terri says
We had the same problem with our ST5000 autopilot. We finally found a place online to buy a replacement. It was not a hard to replace. We can finally see the numbers. Hurray!!!!!
Mike on Last Tango says
When my autopilot quit working last year the initial suggestions were to replace it for about $4,000. One person gave me Dan’s contact info and suggested that I call him. I sent him my Raymarine S3 course computer. After receiving it he said that he could repair it, given time, or he would sell me a newer refurbished S3G (gyro version) course computer for $550. I went with the S3G, it was a simple replacement and is still working today!
Carolyn Shearlock says
Love it!
Lupari Sue says
Great information. We have several instruments that have got screen issues. Be great to get them repaired rather than buying a new one.
Jody Pountain says
just what we need!! thank you!!!
The Boat Galley says
I am SO glad I found him! Took numerous tries on Google to get the right words . . .
Donna Delahanty Guzman says
Good information to know.
John Ferrell says
If your RayMarine Chart Plotter is losing position and takes more than a few seconds to find its position when you start it up, it can be fixed for about 50 cents. Ray Marine representatives may tell you to replace the gps unit on the deck of your boat (The little round thing with the blinking light) for around $200.00. There is a CR2032 3V Lithium battery in there that is easy to replace and costs about 50 cents. That is the same battery you will find in the key bob for your car.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks John — great tip!
Tom says
Dan is also good for selling parts and giving good advice. Real gentleman.
Dan Larson says
Thank you so much Carolyn. I have used many of your tips before but this is the one that causes me to reply. As you and many others have experienced, when I have approached Raymarine with a problem with my 2005 vintage instruments, all the want to do is up-sell me with their newest and greatest and do not support their older equipment. Dan will be an excellent contact for me. Thanks again.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Dan just wrote me yesterday about the number of people who have contacted him so it seems to be a common problem. I know we were thrilled to have found his services and I’m glad to be playing matchmaker with everyone else!
Joe Engoglia says
Thanks Caroyln, I am doing a retro fit next year and was going to replace the electronics with new in that Raymarine said they did not have replacement parts. So we will give Dan a try. Regards…Joe Engoglia S/V Unitask Leopard 38
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great — hope it works out as it will be a huge savings for you!
Rhonda Decker says
Thanks for the recommendation! We purchased our “new to us” Hunter 340 earlier this year and had already replaced the LCD on our circa 2000 ST5000 when it lost connection with the drive. I was so disappointed…then I saw this post and contacted Dan. He responded immediately saying he thought it was repairable; turnaround was only 2 days and it works like new! He not only repaired the burned out transistor, he also upgraded 2 other transistors (that use less power) for no extra charge. I’m a VERY satisfied customer and highly recommend Dan!
Carolyn Shearlock says
WOO-HOO! So happy to hear! I love hearing all the stories of what’s been able to be saved . . .
tom jessop says
On the advice from this site, I contacted Dan Gerhart using the form on the site, to replace the blackened LCD displays on my Ray Marine Tridata and 4200s Auto pilot. He responded immediately.I sent him the parts and a check and he repaired them and sent them right back. I just finished installing them and all is sweet. I recommend Dan without reservation.
Tom Jessop, Gemini Catamaran, #800, S/V TRINITY
Carolyn Shearlock says
Glad to hear it — it’s so great to spread the word about Dan because it seems that no one else does this type of work, and he does it so well and so reliabily!
Gerton Westerop says
I have used Dan twice for my ST5000 autopilot head computer. First time He sent me a replacement screen that I put in myself. It stopped working after a couple of times. Dan asked me to send the whole unit to him and he would send me a replacement unit.That unit is still working as a charm.
Very good services, very reliable guy.
Lynndon Harnell says
Not a Raymarine but Navman 3150 autopilot display that has browned out still works fine except you cant see the numbers. Any suggestions?
Carolyn Shearlock says
Send a note to Dan using the form — he may have an idea for you or be able to do a repair.
John A Odell says
Dan Gerhardt gave great prompt service when replacing my Ramarine autopilot LCD scree. Strongly recommend.
Anonymous says
Not only is it cost savings, it’s better for the environment to repair stuff instead of replacing it.
Thanks for re-sharing this post.
Anonymous says
I have had and seen several items that Dan has repaired. Always a great job and price. I highly recommend Dan.
Anonymous says
Can you do Furuno’s. My auto pilot screen gone into lines. Impossible to read. Cheers
The Boat Galley says
Click on the picture to go to the post. Them use the form to ask Dan if he does. I don’t know. He used to be just Raymarine and various autopilots.
John A Odell says
Excellent service and turn around. Strongly recommend.
Anonymous says
I have used Dan and he was great, good service
Anonymous says
Great resource.
Robin Daish says
Hi Dan. I have a Autohelm ST7000. Now when I press auto it just flashes low battery with a continual alarm sound. I have checked all the connections which are good. Can you give any indication what is wrong. Kind regards Bob
Carolyn Shearlock says
I am forwarding this comment on to Dan, as he doesn’t see what is left in the comments.
Adam Steczko says
Service and parts as good as it gets! Great service, excellent directions, excellent response! This is how business should be run.
Can’t ask for anything better!!
Catalina 28, #704
Terry Baker says
Thanks for info. I have contacted Dan for a chartplotter problem.
I found bearings for the Raymarine wind instruments online at Radio Shack – part No. NMB Radial Ball Bearing DDR-830ZZRA1P25LY121. AUD$22 for two. Changing them out is a bit fiddly, but there are online tutorials to assist, including using a hairdryer to soften the plastic cage to avoid breaking it doing the work..
I purchased a replacement LCD screen (Raymarine Autohelm 7000+) from eBay and installed myself at a very reasonable cost. There are also the option to have this done for you.
Henri says
Dan replaced the LCD in our UV-damaged Raymarine ST-60. He also took the initiative to replace the four instrument buttons without additional costs. We now see additional functions like ” temperature” we did not even realize the instrument was capable of. Our refurbished instrument is like new. Thank you Dan for offering such great service at an affordable rate.
ricardo olivera says
Dan Gerhardt repaired the LCD on my Autohelm ST4000 that was pretty much dead. Efficient work, very affordable, and fast! So here’s more more voice highly recommending his service.
Reg Overman III says
I emailed Dan yesterday and learned from Raymarine that I cannot replace the ST6002 with the PS70 without buying a new evolution 200. I emailed Dan and he replied promptly with a repair quote. I will mail it it in once i take it off of the pedastel. Thanks very much.
Reg
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great to hear he’s able to help you!
Lucas Klarenbeek says
So here’s the latest update on Dan’s services. After reading your article I wrote to Dan, and got an immediate reply for LCD screens for two Raymarine 6000+. Even though I only had his first name and email, making me a trifle reluctant to send him money, the comments on this site were sufficient to convince me he was ok. I sent him the money through Zelle, and got an immediate confirmation and tracking number on USPS. I received the goods a few days later, with clear instructions on how to do the repair. No soldering required, if you can use a screw driver you can do this yourself. He has a nephew doing the same business for the same price on e-bay, seller mtnsail970.
I cannot recommend him high enough.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great!