HydroVane or Hydraulic Autopilot? - Page 2

ssullivan · 20-07-2008, 04:47

Again, thanks for all the inputs.

Mike (in Mexico): I hydraulic AP, in the sense I'm talking about is a pump that goes inline into my existing hydraulic steering system. It turns the boat by pumping hydraulic fluid around in my system via that pump, rather than via me turning the wheel.

I guess the hydraulic AP is probably the way to go, but the "single point of failure" thing still has me a little unhappy. I do have an emergency tiller, but like most of those, it's no fun to use. You have to be in the engine room! Not fun...

Maybe the right thing to do is carry a spare steering system when crossing the ocean. A little extra copper tubing, a ram and a steering wheel pump.

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20-07-2008, 04:47	#16
ssullivan Commercial Vendor Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,533 Images: 1	Again, thanks for all the inputs. Mike (in Mexico): I hydraulic AP, in the sense I'm talking about is a pump that goes inline into my existing hydraulic steering system. It turns the boat by pumping hydraulic fluid around in my system via that pump, rather than via me turning the wheel. I guess the hydraulic AP is probably the way to go, but the "single point of failure" thing still has me a little unhappy. I do have an emergency tiller, but like most of those, it's no fun to use. You have to be in the engine room! Not fun... Maybe the right thing to do is carry a spare steering system when crossing the ocean. A little extra copper tubing, a ram and a steering wheel pump.