Hello and thank you for reading this. On two previous transatlantic passages I used a Plastimo belt driven wheel unit in the cockpit as a backup to my primary Robertson autopilot. The unit worked well. It was purchased in 1989 and has been discontinued. I am departing shortly for a long passage and would like to know the best alternative on the market today. The steering on our 48′ custom built Al Mason Ketch is hydraulic. I want the strongest, most reliable unit available. This will be mounted in the cockpit as a backup to the primary autopilot. Thanks for any assistance, Steve
Hi Steve: If you want the best, most reliable pilot, check out WH Pilots in Bainbridge Island, WA. It is what we’ve used for years and have found nothing that comes close on reliability or steering capability in big seas. You can contact them at pilotwhale@worldnet.att.net Good Luck – Steve Dashew
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
