autopilot search

[guayacan79]

I want a wheel operated autopilot for my 15 ton Alden schooner. Any recommendations?

[Garret]

Hi -

1) That's an awful big boat for a wheel pilot
2) There are a # of threads on the forum about this: http://forum.woodenboat.com/search.php?searchid=1416953


Good luck in your search!

[JimConlin]

What's the existing steering system? Tiller, hydraulic, pull-cables (Edson) or worm gear?

[redbopeep]

We have a Wood Freeman (500 series--80's era system) that is working great on our 29T schooner (worm gear, thus a chain drive on the wheel to the autopilot motor). The boat has had an older Wood Freeman on it since 1961-but we replaced it recently with the newer, old, Wood Freeman.

Choices that would work with the worm gear included a custom Wagner, a Wood Freeman, a WH (but I'd have had to provide a clutch system...um..from a Wood Freeman! to get the WH to work, go figure).

Good luck.