[jrd22]

I have not used a Hydrovane but they look like a good way to go. I sailed with a Monitor for a couple of days and it was extremely easy, reliable and did a great job steering in a stiff breeze on a deep broad reach in 5-6' wind waves. The lines in the cockpit really were not a problem at all. The former owner of our boat bought our Monitor (I have not used it yet) in Samoa and immediately left for a 5800NM crossing back to the states. He encountered three major storms and reported that things were breaking left and right on the boat, but the Monitor just kept going and did the steering for the whole trip.