2021-06-14, 05:15 PM
I have not found such a motor. The main reason I’m building my own actuator is that the ultimate goal is to have exactly what you describe. A tiller actuator which works like a wheel pilot in that you can engage and disengage without physically disconnecting from the tiller. The problem with any actuator that you can “back drive” while powered off is that sailing loads will also be able to back drive it. It will use power just holding the tiller in place. However it’s accomplished, the actuator will need some sort of clutch. I’m exploring a couple designs that would do that with a mechanical clutch that does not use any power in either the engaged or disengaged position. None of this is hard to design and build with a big budget but I’m going for cheap and simple.
Simon
Simon