Linear drive fitment

[dLj]

I know they are not cheap. I got a price for a Hydrovane and that was £5600. I have the bolt on wheel pilot but they aren’t much good. The tiny drive motor isn’t man enough to hold the boat especially if it starts to blow a bit It seems to take to long to react so by the time it has the boat is heading off in another direction. It’s only good enough if the sea is flat and you need to put the sails up or grab something from below

Sounds like it's undersized for your boat. I only had that problem once many years back - upgraded to the proper sized unit and that went away.

dj

p. s. - I like the hydro vane. It's what I'll put on mine.

 

[jssailem]

tiny drive motor isn’t man enough to hold the boat especially if it starts to blow

This is a very accurate assessment. The units are not made for the type of forces experienced in blue water. Coastal cruising, day sailing, cruising where you can watch the helm and step in should the seas rise and the wind blows.

When there is little or no wind in the PacificNW the Raymarine EV100 does a great job. When the water churns and the wind blows then the AP goes off duty and I take control of the helm. I would not trust the AP to handle the helm in the open ocean at night. That is why I acquired a Monitor Windvane. Long passages and off shore sailing the Windvane is in her element. A bonus is the windvane does not use any electricity.

You can also get an emergency rudder feature, at least on the Monitor. I believe the Hydrovane design can serve as an emergency rudder.

Many options and compromises.

 

[sunandsmiles]

I hear what you say. I have had my fair amount of experience with the little drive motors. So much so that I bought half dozen of them for about £3.50 each. It’s actually a cheap universal motor that is used in hair dryers , hand drills and such like
How on earth did Raymarine expect that tiny motor to be reliable when steering a vessel of up to 7.5 tons I have no idea. As you say when there is no wind it’s fine but these are for sailing boats that need wind
I did get a price on a Hydrovane which I think might be my option

 

[jssailem]

I like the Hydrovane. It has a feature to act as an emergency rudder. There are quite a few out there in the cruising community.

Then I came across the Monitor. It was for sale on Craigslist. Just fit my needs and desires.

Not needed for most of my local trips, but comes in handy when sailing bigger waters.

 

[b.needalman]

Installing a new below deck autopilot is a serious upgrade. None of your existing electronics or instruments will work with the newer equipment.

Along with the autopilot electronics and actuator, you need a gyrocompass, rudder position indicator, and a control unit. Likely a new, compatible wind instrument is needed to make vane mode (steer to wind) work. Each sold separately.