Nautical blog

Hydraulic vs. electromechanical ram — which choice for your sailboat?

Ram choice determines 10 years of autopilot use. For a sailboat ≤ 12 m in coastal cruising, linear electromechanical = simple, reliable, economical. Beyond 15 m or for offshore racing, hydraulic = mandatory (power, speed, reversibility). Between the two, the technical debate. Here is our 2026 workshop reading by sailboat size and program, with installed budgets and distributed brands.