Octopus Sailboat Drive Short Stroke 8" (OCTAFMDRSSYS8)
- Brand:
- Octopus
- Part no:
- OCTAFMDRSSYS8
Image: anchorexpress.com
Where to buy
The Octopus OCTAFMDRSSYS8 is a short stroke autopilot drive with an 8 inch stroke, rated for sailboats up to 38 ft or 15,400 lbs displacement. Its compact design is aimed at installations where space is limited. The construction is marine-grade and corrosion resistant. The steering cable it uses should be run with large radius bends, because tight curves add friction and increase the power draw.
Our take
An 8 inch stroke rated to 38 ft and 15,400 lbs puts this drive on mid-sized sailboats, and the short stroke is meant for tight spaces. Its cable has to follow large radius bends, since tight curves add friction and raise power draw.
From our buying guide
Raymarine describes a typical autopilot as four parts: a heading sensor, a control unit, a drive and a control head. Bought alone, the parts don't steer, and Raymarine says the operator must stay at the helm at all times.
Check before you buy:
- The box list has the drive and control head you need, since packs can leave out a major part.
- It's rated for your boat the way the maker measures it. Raymarine sizes on fully laden displacement, often 20% above the designed figure.
- On hydraulic steering, the pump's range covers your steering cylinder's volume.