I didn't get the point that the hydraulik system doesn't give you feedback - if working properly you don't push the oil the full 7m because all the pipes should be full with oil and there should be zero lag between the pump and the cylinder. I assume you're new elektronik auto pilot is much less weight than the hydraulik system..... that's the real advantage
The installed hydraulic system did not give me any feedback for the following reasons: As any hydraulic system, the hoses are full with oil all the time. The oil is pressurised (by the pump) and can be 'moved' or pumped bi-dicectional by a pump. The pump is connected by hoses to a hydraulic cylinder that expands or retracts depending on the flow of the oil. Here the cylinder is permanently connected to the rudder steering system. If the pump is on, you can not move the rudder manually, the rudder will only move when the pump is running either way.To move the rudder manually you have to turn the pump off AND at the same time a clutch/valve will open and lets the oil bypass the pump. When you operate the tiller the hydraulic cylinder is moved and the piston within the cylinder will move the oil in or out the cylinder. The whole oil in the hoses from the cylinder to the pump and back are one loop, when steered manually you will have to move the oil back and forth due to the movement of the cylinder. Since the pump and the clutch were sitting by the keel and were connected by a custom extension going aft to the cylinder and back (3.5m each way) you are moving oil travelling 7m. This oil has to travel through the pipes and that will create resistance, hence you will have little rudder feedback. Originally the pump/clutch and the cylinder are sitting right next to each other, connected by very short hoses, here the oil has to travel only a very short distance and you will have less resistance. This is how they will be sold by NKE or Lecomble/Schmidt. Newer versions will give you even more feedback since the clutch/cylinder connection is designed with 3 hoses, my old system has only 2. Some Minis with a hydraulic system have the means to disconnect the steering manually from the hydraulic system while sailing to have free movement and no resistance at all, however it is very cumbersome to reconnect the steering and the cylinder since you have to insert a pin while sailing. I have seen this at a mini that is trying in Barcelona.
@@minizilla687 now I have the full picture - thanks alot for this detailed answer - and the new linear electrical drive allows you to manipulate the Ruder manually in an easier and quicker way while sailing? I assume it's just cut the power and you can move the linear cylinder quite easily.... Interesting stuff - I'd love to sail a mini one day but for now I continue sailing on Sweetwater 🤣
