The essentials in 30 seconds
- ≤ 12 m / 7.5 t : linear electromechanical ram is sufficient. Simple, low maintenance, material cost €1,500-2,200. Brands: Garmin GHP 12 Type 1, Raymarine Type 1, Lecomble & Schmitt MK1.
- 12-15 m / 7.5-13.5 t : Type 2 electromechanical ram still works for cruising, hydraulic recommended for rough seas and offshore. Material cost €2,200-3,500.
- ≥ 15 m / 13.5 t or racing : hydraulic mandatory. Power, speed, reversibility essential. Brands: B&G hydraulic T1, T2, Lecomble & Schmitt MK2/MK3, Simrad DD15.
- 3 key criteria to weigh : thrust force (minimum 1,000 N/t displacement), rudder speed (3-5 s/° cruising, < 2 s/° racing), reversibility barman ↔ autopilot (hydraulic wins).
- Full refit budget : electromechanical €4,000-6,500 VAT installed (ram + computer + sensors + labor), hydraulic €6,500-12,000 VAT.
The rudder ram is the force actuator of the autopilot. It converts an electrical signal into rudder movement. Two technology families coexist: electromechanical (electric motor + worm gear) and hydraulic (pump + cylinder). Choosing one or the other determines 10 years of use, refit budget, and the autopilot's relevance in conditions.
If you are looking for maintenance on your existing ram, see our article on rudder ram maintenance. For a complete autopilot choice (ram + computer + sensors), see B&G vs Raymarine autopilot for 40-50 foot sailboats. This article is dedicated solely to the choice of ram technology.
The two families: electromechanical vs hydraulic
Linear electromechanical
An electric motor drives a worm gear that pushes or pulls a rod. The rod is mechanically connected to the rudder quadrant. Everything is integrated into a single housing: ram = finished product, installed and forgotten.
- Brands on Skysat: Garmin GHP 12 Type 1 (€1,916), Type 2 (€2,191), Raymarine Type 1/2/3, Lecomble & Schmitt MK1/MK2/MK3 (currently not distributed by Skysat).
- Typical range: sailboats 8-15 m, up to 13.5 t displacement, rod stroke 250-350 mm.
- Force: 7.5-13.5 kN depending on model.
Hydraulic
An electric pump pressurizes oil in a cylinder attached to the rudder quadrant. The pump can be separate from the cylinder (typical for small-medium sailboats) or integrated into a direct drive system (yacht ≥ 50 feet, racing).
- Brands on Skysat: B&G hydraulic T1 12V (€1,700), T2 24V (€2,070), Simrad DD15 (€1,962), Garmin SmartPump v2 (€2,899), Lecomble & Schmitt MK1/MK2/MK3 hydraulic (available on special order).
- Typical range: sailboats 11-22 m, offshore cruising large size, multihulls.
- Force: 13.5-22 kN+ depending on configuration.
Technical comparison: 6 criteria that determine the choice
1. Thrust force
Workshop rule of thumb: 1,000 N per ton of displacement at full load in standard cruising. For offshore cruising or heavy offshore in rough seas, increase to 1,500 N/t.
- 8 t cruising sailboat → ram 8 kN minimum → Type 1 electromechanical or light hydraulic.
- 14 t offshore cruising sailboat → ram 14 kN → Type 3 electromechanical or T2 hydraulic.
- 20 t racing sailboat → ram 30 kN → large stroke hydraulic (DD15, MK3+).
2. Rudder speed (degrees per second)
The speed at which the ram can correct a heading deviation. Critical in rough seas and racing.
- Typical electromechanical: 3-6 s for hard-over to hard-over (35° each side).
- Typical hydraulic: 2-4 s for hard-over to hard-over.
- Racing direct drive hydraulic (Simrad DD15, Lewmar GP): 1-2 s for hard-over to hard-over.
3. Electrical consumption
#1 or #2 consumer on the 24 h autopilot energy balance (see our article on lithium battery sizing).
- Electromechanical at rest: 0.1 A (logic power only).
- Electromechanical in correction: 1-3 A (Type 1) to 3-6 A (Type 3).
- Hydraulic at rest: 0.2-0.5 A (stand-by pump).
- Hydraulic in correction: 3-8 A peak, but shorter cycles.
Over 24 h in rough seas, total consumption is broadly equivalent between the two technologies — hydraulic consumes more at peak but cycles faster, so for less time.
4. Reversibility (barman ↔ autopilot ↔ barman)
The ram's ability to free the rudder when the autopilot is disengaged.
- Linear electromechanical: the worm gear mechanically locks the rudder even with autopilot off. "Braking" sensation for the barman, who must push against the internal resistance of the ram. Major drawback in racing and short-handed sailing.
- Hydraulic with automatic bypass: autopilot off = open valves = 100% free rudder. The barman takes over without any resistance. This is the criterion that makes 90% of racing programs switch to hydraulic.
5. Maintenance and lifespan
No major difference if installation is correct. See our rudder ram maintenance guide.
- Electromechanical: 1 greasing of shafts + rod ends per season, bronze bushings check every 500 h, typical lifespan 10-15 years.
- Hydraulic: annual oil level and quality check, flush every 5 years, typical lifespan 12-18 years.
- Racing direct drive hydraulic: more precise maintenance (seals, pressure, solenoid valve), lifespan 8-12 years in intensive racing use.
6. Footprint and installation
- Electromechanical: 1 compact housing to mount between frame and rudder quadrant. Installation 4-8 h in workshop.
- Hydraulic: 2 elements (pump + cylinder) connected by high-pressure hoses. Installation 8-16 h in workshop (hose runs + system purge).
- Racing direct drive hydraulic: complex integration on rudder shaft, installation 16-32 h.
Linear electromechanical ram — details and brands
The historic technology for sailboats since the 1980s. Widely adopted because it is the simplest product to integrate in a refit.
Garmin GHP 12 (linear rams)
Skysat distributes the Type 1 (€1,916) for sailboats ≤ 11 m / 7.5 t and the Type 2 (€2,191) for sailboats 11-15 m / 7.5-13.5 t. The ram is controlled via a Reactor 40 computer and a GHC 50 display.
Raymarine Type 1/2/3
Raymarine Evolution historic range. Type 1 ≤ 11 m, Type 2 11-15 m, Type 3 15-22 m. Compatible with Raymarine EV-100/EV-200/EV-400 computer. Skysat distributes the ACU computer and Raymarine accessories; the ram itself may sometimes be special-ordered.
Lecomble & Schmitt MK1/MK2/MK3
French historic manufacturer (Vendée). Very common on new Bénéteau/Jeanneau sailboats. Rod stroke 250 mm (MK1), 300 mm (MK2), 350 mm (MK3). Force 7.5 kN to 22 kN. Skysat does not distribute standard but can source on refit project request.
Hydraulic ram — details and brands
Mandatory technology beyond 15 m, strongly recommended for offshore racing from 10 m. Pump + cylinder + bypass + pressure gauge architecture.
B&G hydraulic T1/T2
Skysat distributes the B&G T1 12V (€1,700) and T2 24V (€2,070). Compatible with NAC-3 Navico computer (€1,649). For sailboats 11-18 m, comfortable offshore cruising and category B/C racing.
Simrad DD15 (Direct Drive 15 kN)
The DD15 (€1,962) is a direct drive hydraulic power unit for sailboats 15-22 m racing/offshore cruising. Force 15 kN, hard-over to hard-over speed 1-2 s. Immediate reversibility. Integration requires dedicated rudder shaft.
Garmin SmartPump v2
The SmartPump v2 (€2,899) hydraulic pump compatible with existing hydraulic systems (third-party cylinders). Controlled by the Garmin Reactor 40 hydraulic GHC 50 computer (€2,080). Good choice for boats already equipped with original hydraulic cylinders (Bénéteau Yacht line yachts, etc.).
Lecomble & Schmitt hydraulic MK1/MK2/MK3
Separate pumps and cylinders, hydraulic equivalents of the L&S electromechanical range. Widely used in French offshore racing (IMOCA, Class40). Available on special order via Skysat.
Comparison table by size and program
| Sailboat | Program | Recommended tech | Type reference | Ram force | VAT installed budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 10 m / 5 t | Weekend harbor sailing | Electromechanical | Garmin Type 1, Raymarine Type 1, L&S MK1 | 5-8 kN | €3,500-4,500 |
| 10-12 m / 5-7.5 t | Coastal + 1-2 weeks summer | Type 1 electromechanical | Garmin Type 1 (€1,916) + Reactor 40 | 7.5 kN | €4,000-5,500 |
| 11-13 m / 7.5-10 t | Offshore cruising | Type 2 electromechanical OR light hydraulic | Garmin Type 2 (€2,191) OR B&G T1 (€1,700) + NAC-3 | 10-13 kN | €5,500-7,500 |
| 13-15 m / 10-13.5 t | Offshore + transatlantic | Hydraulic | B&G T2 24V (€2,070) + NAC-3 | 13.5 kN | €7,000-9,500 |
| 15-18 m / 13.5-18 t | Offshore comfort | Hydraulic T2/T3 | L&S MK2 hydraulic + NAC-3 | 15-18 kN | €8,500-12,000 |
| 15-22 m / 13.5-22 t | Offshore racing IMOCA/Class40 | Direct drive hydraulic | Simrad DD15 (€1,962) + NAC-3 + Madintec | 15-22 kN | €12,000-18,000 |
| ≥ 20 m yacht | Yacht configured CZone | External pump hydraulic + third-party cylinder | Garmin SmartPump v2 + Reactor 40 GHC 50 | 15-22 kN | €10,000-15,000 |
Example figures: sailboat 35 / 45 / 55 feet
35-foot sailboat (10.5 m) / 6.5 t — coastal cruising and 2 weeks offshore per year
- Recommended choice: Type 1 electromechanical ram (simplicity over power margins).
- Skysat solution: Garmin Type 1 (€1,916) + Reactor 40 Compact starter pack (€1,579) including computer + GHC 50 + sensors.
- Total installed budget: €4,200-5,000 VAT (ram + pack + 8 h labor).
45-foot sailboat (13.5 m) / 11 t — offshore cruising + 1 transatlantic every 5 years
- Recommended choice: B&G T1 hydraulic ram for barman ↔ autopilot reversibility (rotating crew) and power margin in rough seas.
- Skysat solution: B&G hydraulic T1 12V (€1,700) + NAC-3 (€1,649) + Precision 9 (€533) + RF25N (€319).
- Total installed budget: €6,500-8,000 VAT (ram + computer + sensors + 12 h labor + oil).
55-foot sailboat (16.8 m) / 16 t — offshore racing + crewed transatlantic
- Recommended choice: direct drive hydraulic with premium racing computer (Madintec compatible).
- Skysat solution: Simrad DD15 (€1,962) + NAC-3 (€1,649) + sensors + Madintec MAD Controller (€2,550) racing upgrade.
- Total installed budget: €11,000-15,000 VAT (ram + computer + sensors + Madintec + 20 h labor).
5 common choice mistakes seen in the workshop
Ram choice mistakes — seen at Skysat workshop
- Undersizing by optimism. The sailboat manufacturer states 7.5 t displacement, so we take Type 1. Except the boat sails with 800 L water + fuel + crew + 200 kg gear = 9.5 t real. The Type 1 ram struggles, overheats, and eventually fails. Always size on sailed weight, not manufacturer weight.
- Choosing electromechanical "to save" on a 15+ m offshore sailboat. Type 3 electromechanical costs ~€1,000 less than T2 hydraulic. Except in rough seas at 25 knots, the electromechanical ram saturates, the autopilot drops out, and you're hand-steering 18 h/day. The real saving is negative.
- Hydraulic without automatic bypass. If the hydraulic system lacks automatic bypass valves (case of some old kits), the rudder remains locked even with autopilot off. The barman struggles, the crew complains. Always check for bypass at purchase.
- Choosing incompatible brand with existing ecosystem. The boat has a Raymarine Axiom chartplotter. The client buys a Garmin Reactor 40 autopilot to save money. Result: no autopilot control from the Axiom, Garmin remote required at the cockpit, two parallel ecosystems. Choose an autopilot from the same brand as the main chartplotter — or an open system like Madintec that talks to everything.
- Undersized hydraulic pump vs cylinder. A 15 kN cylinder with an undersized pump = slow correction, the autopilot lags, oscillations. Always match pump and cylinder from the same manufacturer or validated together by the installer.
FAQ — Choosing your sailboat ram
Can an existing electromechanical system be converted to hydraulic?
Yes but installation is heavy: new hydraulic cylinder, new pump, high-pressure hose runs, system purge, possible rudder quadrant modification. Allow 16-24 h workshop labor + €2,500-4,000 material depending on configuration. Only relevant if the boat's program evolves significantly (cruising → racing, or offshore upgrade after insufficient coastal experience).
My sailboat already has a Lecomble & Schmitt ram, can I control it with a Garmin or B&G computer?
Yes, the L&S ram is mechanical (or hydraulic) — it accepts any compatible control signal matching its nominal voltage. The computer + rudder angle sensor + compass pairing can come from any ecosystem. Check the L&S existing electrical interface (voltage, max current, position feedback type) and adapt the computer accordingly. The Madintec MAD Controller is designed to drive almost any ram on the market.
What is the difference between reversible and non-reversible hydraulic?
Reversible hydraulic = double-direction pump (can pull or push the cylinder), requires bypass valves to free the rudder. Non-reversible hydraulic = single-direction pump, the rudder is mechanically linked pump-cylinder when autopilot is off (permanent brake). Always prefer reversible with automatic bypass for safety and barman comfort. All modern B&G/Garmin/Raymarine systems are reversible by default.
Dry or wet hydraulic pump?
Dry pump in 99% of cases. The pump is mounted in a ventilated technical locker near the cylinder. Wet pump (immersed in the oil reservoir) exists on some old systems but requires a sealed reservoir and full disassembly for maintenance. If refitting, switch to a modern dry pump.
Rudder ram vs tiller quadrant: compatible?
Yes in almost all pleasure boat configurations. The ram drives the tiller quadrant (the part that transmits the rudder rotation to the rudder) via a link arm. Compatibility depends on the quadrant's rotation angle (typically 70° total, ±35° each side), the ram's stroke, and available space. Always verify with a workshop measurement on site before purchase.
Should we plan a backup ram for offshore?
Not a backup ram but a backup strategy: emergency tiller / windvane (Aries, Hydrovane, Windpilot) for sailing, or drogue / demountable tiller for power. The electric ram is a sensitive system — on a transatlantic, plan at least a manual rudder return cable with demountable coupling to the ram quadrant (typical demountable pin). See our ram maintenance guide for warning signs of failure.
What wiring should be planned between computer and ram?
Wire gauge calculated on max ram current + 30% margin. Type 1 electromechanical (5-10 A): 2 × 4 mm² cable for 3-5 m runs. Type 2-3 (10-15 A): 2 × 6 mm². Hydraulic pump (8-15 A peak): 2 × 6 mm² minimum, up to 2 × 10 mm² for powerful pumps. Always protect with a fuse calibrated to the ram's nominal current (not peak) + 50%, accessible from the dashboard for quick reset in case of incident.
Skysat distributes B&G, Garmin, Raymarine, Navico, Madintec and Simrad brands. This article reflects our experience installing autopilots on over 120 sailboats between 2018 and 2026, in cruising and offshore racing. 2026 VAT prices are indicative of authorized distributor, excluding specific wiring and mechanical adaptation to the existing quadrant.
