Autopilot Drive Units.

[DJE]

What do you guys use for below-deck autopilots? The boat is a 1990s design 39-foot 6.6-tonne cruiser/racer with a balanced spade rudder.

I'm replacing all the instruments and the autopilot. The current electro-hydraulic drive unit needs about 12kg force to back-drive it with the pilot switched off and steering by hand. No great sweat as we have a big wheel, but the ram seriously damps the steering and takes all the feel out of it. I'm looking at a Raymarine electric linear drive unit but wondering if the Jeffa Steering products are significantly better in this regard. Or is there something else out there that I should be considering.

 

[Lightwave395]

What do you guys use for below-deck autopilots? The boat is a 1990s design 39-foot 6.6-tonne cruiser/racer with a balanced spade rudder.

I'm replacing all the instruments and the autopilot. The current electro-hydraulic drive unit needs about 12kg force to back-drive it with the pilot switched off and steering by hand. No great sweat as we have a big wheel, but the ram seriously damps the steering and takes all the feel out of it. I'm looking at a Raymarine electric linear drive unit but wondering if the Jeffa Steering products are significantly better in this regard. Or is there something else out there that I should be considering.

I've got a similar sounding boat, maybe a touch heavier now in mainly cruising mode, have a Raymarine electric linear Ram with ( now ) old SP1G / ST6002 AP, it's going well and 13 years old this year

 

[Birdseye]

The simrad robertson HLD unit is first rate. Mine is still going strong after 21 years use. Bit expensive mind you.

 

[ninjod]

What do you guys use for below-deck autopilots? The boat is a 1990s design 39-foot 6.6-tonne cruiser/racer with a balanced spade rudder.

I'm replacing all the instruments and the autopilot. The current electro-hydraulic drive unit needs about 12kg force to back-drive it with the pilot switched off and steering by hand. No great sweat as we have a big wheel, but the ram seriously damps the steering and takes all the feel out of it. I'm looking at a Raymarine electric linear drive unit but wondering if the Jeffa Steering products are significantly better in this regard. Or is there something else out there that I should be considering.

I’ve put the Jeffa unit on my new trimaran and while the mileage to date is relatively low I have had no issues and steering remains light. It’s being driven by a B&G H5000 system.

 

[adwuk]

I’ve got a Jefa drive installed in our Nic 35. Its the DD1, and controlled by the Simrad NAC-2 computer. Its superb, quiet, plenty of power and low battery usage.

 

[yoda]

Have you flushed the hydraulic system through and made sure it is all working correctly? Any restriction in the bypass valve could have a significant impact. Worth doing first as it could be a cheap fix!

Yoda

 

[DownWest]

Have you flushed the hydraulic system through and made sure it is all working correctly? Any restriction in the bypass valve could have a significant impact. Worth doing first as it could be a cheap fix!

Yoda

Yes, I was wondering about that, I looked at an Octopus Electro/hydraulic unit and it was easy to move when off.

 

[FlyingGoose]

I have just fitted a raymarine type 2 computer and 2 x P70 Control heads but have went with the Jeffa linear drive unit, as for as I am aware their own units are superior than those that they manufacture for the main brands , it is cheaper as well.