We're of the same mind. I had always wanted to do exactly that on Tropical Dance. I knew cruisers with a second installed system but Your concept is better. Keep it boxed and stowed along with the backup handheld and gps.

I mentioned the incident when we lost the auto pilot on the way from Ft, Lauderdale to Charleston. There was no wind and we were motoring on a flat sea. Half way there the course computer failed and we were hand steering, usually with no land in sight. The days weren't bad but we had one night with no moon and overcast sky. It was black and the only way to steer was by fixing your eyes on the binnical compass 2 feet in front of you. With my 'old eyes' I was also wearing reading glasses.

1 hour watches. It sucked.