The JEFA autopilot is the perennial problem on the Hanse 508/505. The reason is clear and has been discussed extensively in the Hanse Forum: This type DD1, designed for yachts up to 45 feet and 12 tons, is clearly too weak, a fact even Jefa admits. Hanse cut corners here! After five years of sailing and approximately 15,000 miles, we are now on our third autopilot. It won’t last more than three years—even with restrained use and light wave conditions. Since a repair for our three-year-old autopilot #2 within a reasonable time frame without losing valuable cruising time was not feasible, we replaced it with a new one. After all, that’s an investment of €4,000! We’ll have the old autopilot repaired at the end of the season by a reputable company in Palermo, which also installed and calibrated the new autopilot. The repair photos show major defects: It was leaking and had extensive water damage! Additionally, the clutch was defective.
Such water damage could only occur because the autopilot is mounted beneath a cockpit cover. If it were mounted below deck and protected from splash water, corrosion damage could be avoided! Jefa claims the engine is „greased for life“ – Quod erat demonstrandum!
