IMHO, the CR pump option has the failing of
heating the hydraulic fluid, as well as requiring unneccessary power to keep running- not a problem on a
motor workboat for instance. Under normal sailing conditions the actual demands on the autopilot actuator will be far less than you'd expect- think of normal conditions underway- one just eases the
wheel a little from time to time. On the other hand, when the going gets heavy- think low-speed manoeuvering or lumpy water- the demands are far higher. Then a CR system comes into its own- a solenoid valve or few just click open and closed.
Why not do both then?
Maybe have the big heavy-duty CR unit as a slogging-tool and a reversible unit for the light-duty stuff?