As a Maine sailor I don't see a lot of use in an auto pilot unless it has a remote that you can use to avoid lobster traps. As I am sure you are aware leave the boat on autopilot for five minutes and you will be towing lobster gear particularly in August. Moving the winches aft will work fine if there is a place to put them. If the winch pads aren't in the right place, just built new ones where you want them. I strongly suggest adding two self-tailing winches rathe than moving your existing winches. That way you can run the jib sheets to the new winches and use the old winches when you fly your assymmetrical. I like Andersen, Harken and Lewmar winches in that order.

In the short term, you can always lock the wheel while you go forward, unlock it, tack/jibe then relock it while you go back aft. That becomes a problem if you are short tacking. In short tacking situations, you will find the diesel useful :