[bluetommy77]

Thanks CS27,

good info about the TP10, other simrad products. No, I don't intend to link the system with a GPS although I have a lowrance chart plotter I'm currently trying to get to work again (it came off one of the whale watching zodiacs).

We're sailing quite a lot and regularly in 6-12 foot seas, following or otherwise so I'll take your comments about the predictive course corrections and think on them. Looks like a "boat unit" ($500) either way for a decent set up, hey? And the 'screw type' mechanism is more expensive in terms of electricity than the 'recirculating ball'?

I also have some friends on an older ericson 37 which has an unbalanced spade rudder and at least a 6 foot beast of a tiller. I suppose their base is pretty hopeless until they build themselves a properly shaped and balanced spade rudder!