Quote:
Originally Posted by Glen E  safety wise ...not so brilliant...when a pump blows our with your family on board.... |
VERY GOOD POINT Glen. When you stick an auto pilot into your HYD steering system you introduce several new potential points of failure. Last summer I towed the boat to St Augustine Fl from Maryland. The next morning we launched and headed for some warm water near the edge of the Gulf Stream, ya about 85 miles out. There was they typical afternoon storms predicted; but other than that, nothing to worry about. Once out there we were picking our way through Kings, a few Mahi and some cudas and the weather got nasty. Waves to 7 feet and hard rain. We were picking our way through the storms using Sirus weather, so we were still in our comfort zone but heading in. I turned the AP off and turned to run in the trouth for a while when I noticed I had NO STEERING! I quick check of the fittings reveiled a small HYD leak. Long story short; I could maintain steering with the AP engaged but no steering without AP. Luckly the weather got better as we went in and we cleared the inlet without issue and the good folks at Conch House Marina gave us a bulk head vice having us try to back into the slip. Push butto steering was a trick for sure!.
Bottom line, make sure your AP is all it can be, and have a back up plan. I now carry two spare fittings and HYD fluid. Those fittings in your HYD steering are single points of failure!
THT sponsor
