Autopilot Drive connection

[captainwireman]

I have a 10M dean with mechanical cable driven rudder connected to the opposite rudder with a cross bar tube. I am researching and I feel the strongest point with no play would be directly to the crossbar. Everything is external so I would be looking for a waterproof linear actuator. This is my best idea so far. I want to avoid anything attached to the wheel/ cable. I am very opposed to this as I have seen too many fail. certain I could get a fabricated connection point on the cross bar and have an extremely stout attachment area to the transom.

I really need what works or any good idea. I was considering a tiller AP which could be easily removed and already is water resistant for now.Cheap too but is this a bad idea? For now I could independently control a straight line with just the tiller pilot attached to the cross tube/bar and add what I should desire in the future. I have been advised Simrad is the most universal for adding, for example, a chart plotter and easily talks and connects to other brand goodies..:-)