the mechanical drive. It is the only one I'd get because of its speed. A rectangular hole was cut in the cockpit side and the unit is placed there, flush, where I can easily reach it from both the helm and sitting on the cockpit settee. The unit engages via a Morse cable. That is both an advantage: no drag of an autopilot when hand steering and a disadvantage: it takes a moment to engage it when you want to use the Alpha. The customer service is excellent, as this is a small company and you get to speak to the boss, Chris, when you call them. Another friend of mine bought one for his S&S designed Swan 38 and took it trans-Atlantic without a hitch, then spending 5 summers cruising Europe using the Alpha. The owners manual is simple and to the point; no bells and whistles. (Did you ever try to read a Raymarine manual? I have a Raymaine Radar unit, and if I ever meet the guys who wrote the manual, I'll end up in jail.)

Regards,
Ron