This has required quite a bit of 'figuring out' time.

I didn't want to use the normal tiller system mainly because I didn't want to have the 'tie bar' taking up a lot of space on the aft deck.  This will become more apparent over the next couple of weeks as the aft area starts to be assembled.

Also, I wanted to use a heavy duty auto-pilot.   The one I opted for also recognizes wind shifts like a wind vane if you apply that setting.   I know that auto-pilots can be notoriously unreliable for long ocean passages if they are not spec'ed correctly.   But, if they are they can be perfectly reliable.

One of the issues that can cause problems with auto-pilots is if there is to much slack in the rudder tiller arms.  Because the Wharram's rudders are lashed there is that potential for slackness so we have overcome that by making up a locating pin at the top of the rudder and another lower.  I am still using the Wharram lashings as I think they are excellent, so hopefully this will enable the best of both worlds.

The tiller coming off the rudder to the hydraulic steering ram will  be in stainless and we will make up a fitting for a manual tiller that will be stored below for use in the event of an steering failure.