Steve Dashew uses W H (Willie Hamm) autopilots, which are certainly one of the best of the small boat to medium boat auto pilots. He has reduncancy in all of the componenants. I did things a bit differently--a oversized Benmar (1983 era) with a pump set for a 75 footer and 100 tons (the boat was 62 feet and 35 tons). I carried spare parts: belts for the drive from the motor to the pump and extra circuit boards for the main box. I had to replace a few parts along the way, but 99% of the time the auto pilot steered the boat--including in 6 days of 70+ knots of wind and up to 40 foot seas. As Patrick says--the auto pilot should be oversized, the canoe or double ended--full displacement boat will handle the seas much better in a slow boat. The question about a helm seat--I had a helm seat, but rarely used it--the boat was on auto pilot 99% of the time. You sit where it is comfortable--and can see the electronics when necessary. When in tight quarters, you stand and move around for best visability. Larger boats are different than smaller high speed boats in the demand for actually being at the helm--especially when on a passage. Regards, Bob Austin