I have had a Raymarine ST1000 on my M17 for years, and it is a wonderful piece of equipment. Some 95% of my sailing is single-handing, and the autopilot is a great shipmate when you need to go forward to untangle a line, go below for a beer or motor long distances if the wind dies. Like any piece of electronic equipment, it cannot anticipate wind gusts or waves and swells the way a human helmsman can, but for short-term help it is great. David Hill M17 Grouper