Electric or hydraulic linear drive

Well I have a Hydraulic unit and can hardly notice it, and I sail on at least 2 other boats with different hydraulic units and don't notice it on them either. It's quality that matters with the hydraulics. Both need to be looked after to remain light when disengaged but you will probably get exponents for both. I would consider your auto pilot requirements first.
Yoda
 
We have electric and can't detect any drag - we had it fitted to the boat, so are familiar with the way it felt with no AP fitted. I like the principle of hydraulic, but many of the people that I know with hydraulic units seem to find that they start leaking as they get older - and a bilge full of hydraulic oil is a real pain!
 
I have no experience of hydraulic linrear drives, having always had electric. Electric linear drives work so well that I question why, for average boats, one would want the added complication of hydraulic.
 
Thanks for your replies, I have had an hydraulic system for about 10 years and it has been used almost daily and have no real complaints no leaks and it works fine, but reacently i rerouted the cables on my Westerly Corsair the steering became amazingly less num and stiff, however this improvement was with the hydraulic ram connected but the was still much better than before, a week ago I had reason to disconnect the ram I couldn't believe how the steering had freed up it is nearly possible to spin the wheel lock to lock. If the Raymarine electric drive disconnects completely when In standby then I want one. Not for any other reason than I like the way my steering feels without the drag I get from the oil in the ram. I have had my Corsair for 25 years and have always wondered if the steering should be so num, but never done much to improve it.
Mike
 
pvb said:
You mean you don't have room for an electric linear drive?
Click to expand...

Might well not - if it was 5mm bigger in any of several places, I wouldn't have room for mine either. The ram of a hydraulic system would fit easily, though of course I'd need to find more space overall for the pump and tank.

Pete
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top