Ahoy! I have a fellow Singlehanded Sailing Society friend that has started a new company specializing in autopilots:

http://pelagicautopilot.com

I have tested out and used the tiller arm unit a few times with great success. It plugs straight into my existing Raymarine set up. The Pelagic arm is stronger than the Raymarine arm and handles Tortuga with ease.

http://pelagicautopilot.com/products/tiller-steer-product/

Thought I would pass it along for those interested.

Cheers,

Randy 

 W32 Tortuga

Randy,

Thanks for passing this along. I have the ST4000+ and it has been giving me good service for a long time. This unit looks like a great backup or even a primary with the Raymarine as backup. I've always been a little concerned since the Raymarine is only rated at 16000# displacement. This looks like a more robust unit. Does it "plug and play" with the existing head and fluxgate? Also the wind vane option looks really good.

Thanks,

Werner

Randy thanks for the link.

And yes, it is great there is a little guy trying to beat out the big boys I just hope they don't sell out to one of the three.

I assume you have a unit? are they allowing much in the way of user programing?

They state something about learning mode, I assume this is a program mode. That allows some course changes due to pitch and roll, which would be really great!!!!

In any case, I wish them the very best, it is a cool design idea.

Has anyone had more experience with these since the summer time? 

The testimonial page now shows a pic (large version here) of the drive installed on Mike Poor's W32:

Larry,

Would you post a picture of your installation?

Thanks,

Jeff

W32 Odyssey