Lewmar Autopilots

Lewmar Autopilot Drive Units: Match the Drive to Your Steering

This collection is the steering side of an autopilot: the drive that physically moves your rudder, plus the tiller levers used with linear drives. It does not include a course computer, control head, compass or rudder sensor. Lewmar describes its Constellation drive as intended to operate the boat's steering as part of an electronic manufacturer's autopilot system, so you pair the drive with the autopilot you choose. Three things pick the drive: how your steering is built (chain, gearbox or pedestal, tiller), the supply voltage of the autopilot (12V or 24V) and the drive power.

Drive Families in This Collection

• Rotary sprocket drive, 5/8P - 9T: 1/4 hp 12V, 1/4 hp 24V and 1/2 hp 24V. A grease-filled twin-stage epicyclic gearbox that can be mounted in any attitude, with a wide slotted platform for chain tensioning. For cable and push-pull steering systems. Lewmar also supplies machined sprockets in steel or stainless steel, with chain and master links.
• Constellation (Con) rotary drive, 5/8P: the Con Rotary Drive Unit Std, 1/4 hp 12V for boats with existing chain and wire steering. Two listings add parts: the unit including chain kit and shim and the drive kit, each listing a chain kit and an autopilot shim.
• Mamba drive: 1/4 hp 12V, 1/4 hp 24V, 1/2 hp 24V and the 1 hp 24V with bed plate. Lewmar describes these as coupling directly to the steering without separate platforms, chains and sprockets.
• Direct Drive: the 166 mm OL and the 134 mm OL, both 1/4 hp 12V, plus the 134L drive assembly. Lewmar says a Direct Drive can act on the pedestal or gearbox output lever instead of the rudder lever, mounted in any attitude, and describes it as having virtually zero drag on the steering. The 166 mm and 134 mm OL listings each include a 1000 mm link.
• Integra pedestal drives: the Integra Base Drive Unit, the Integra Mamba Drive Unit (both 12V) and the Integra Drive for Integra Ped. They mount inside the Integra pedestal, so no mounting platform is needed. Lewmar's listings describe the Integra drive for Bavaria Cruising yachts of 9 to 12 m (30 to 39 ft).
• Tiller levers: 8 in (203 mm) CRS levers with a maximum bore of 80 mm, 100 mm or 125 mm, for fitting a linear-drive autopilot. They are supplied pilot-bored at 25 mm, to be machined to suit your rudder stock. Lewmar also lists 250 mm and 350 mm centre versions for linear drives; check which centre your drive needs.

Choosing the Drive by Steering Type

• Chain, cable and wire or push-pull steering: the rotary sprocket or Constellation drive, which connects by chain and sprocket.
• Steering gearbox set up for a Mamba: the Mamba drive, which couples directly. Confirm with Lewmar's installation guide for your model.
• Pedestal or gearbox output lever: the Direct Drive. Match the 166 mm or 134 mm output-lever centre to your lever.
• Integra pedestal: the Integra drives, which fit inside the pedestal.
• Tiller steering with a linear drive: a tiller lever sized to your rudder stock bore.

12V or 24V, and How Much Power

Match the drive to the supply voltage of your autopilot and your boat's DC system. In this collection the 1/4 hp drives come in 12V and 24V, while the 1/2 hp and 1 hp drives are 24V only. The drive size you need depends on your boat and steering load, and the autopilot maker sets the displacement limits for its system, so check them before you order. Our guide which autopilot drive fits your steering system compares the drive types.

The Other Half of the Autopilot

You still need the course computer, control head and sensors. Browse Autopilot Systems, or by brand: Raymarine, Simrad and B&G. Check the autopilot maker's compatibility information for the drive you choose. Drives are also grouped as rotary, mechanical and other drive units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Lewmar drive unit a complete autopilot?
No. It is the drive that moves the steering. The course computer, control head and sensors come from your autopilot system.

Which Lewmar drive suits chain and wire steering?
The rotary sprocket drive or the Constellation drive, both on a 5/8P sprocket pitch. The Constellation listings with a chain kit and shim include those parts; the plain units do not.

What is the difference between a Mamba and a Direct Drive?
The Mamba couples directly to the steering and avoids a separate platform, chain and sprockets. The Direct Drive acts on the output lever of a pedestal or gearbox, with a 166 mm or 134 mm lever centre, and can be mounted in any attitude.

Should I choose a 12V or a 24V drive?
Choose the voltage of your autopilot system. The 1/4 hp drives come in 12V and 24V; the 1/2 hp and 1 hp drives here are 24V.

What do I need for an Integra pedestal or a tiller?
For an Integra pedestal, the Integra drives fit inside it without a mounting platform. For a tiller, a linear drive uses a tiller lever; choose the one whose maximum bore covers your rudder stock.

Related reading from our How-To Guides

• Which Autopilot Drive Fits Your Steering System? Linear, Rotary and Hydraulic