Boat help!

[Whopper]

The mechanic thinks that the helm is bad, however he has never seen one like is in this boat, which doesn't help the situation. Any ideas on the auto pilot systems?

[fishin2]

Maybe a second opinion. Just a thought.

[Roy Page]

Sounds to me that the mechanic is not the sharpest tool in the box.
Virtually all Hydraulic Steering systems are relatively simple.
The steering wheel is attached to a hydraulic pump which as you turn the wheel turns the pump which moves the hydraulic fluid down at the cylinder that pushes your OB motor either to the left or to the right.
Seastar is the big name in Hydraulic Steering Systems and all parts are available.
The steering wheel pump can be serviced with new seals, but not expensive to replace it, with a new unit.

Autopilots, you get what you pay for!
We had a Wellcraft 23ft Center Consul fishing boat and I fitted the Garmin GHP20 which happily kept the boat on a heading at down to 1.5 mph trolling speed.
That unit also when coupled up to a Garmin GPS would steer any course that the GPS could plan or follow a trolling track in reverse to go through the active pod again
This autopilot cost about $2,500 installed and will happily work with most hydraulic steering systems.
You can see more about our Wellcraft CC here > http://www.g4dyr.com/wellcraft230.html