Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Rudders, Hydraulic Steering and Autopilots Course

This course teaches you to inspect, maintain and repair a boat's steering system, from the rudder blade to the autopilot. You will work on hydraulic steering, mechanical cable systems and calibrating the autopilot and its drive unit.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
Program diagnosis

Prior knowledge check

These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.

Your diagnosis
6of 6 to cover

You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.

About the program

What is the Rudders, Hydraulic Steering and Autopilots Course?

This short course teaches you to inspect, maintain and repair a boat's steering system, from the rudder blade to the autopilot. You will check blades, stocks and bearings during haul-out, bleed hydraulic circuits and service helm pumps and cylinders, tension steering wires and renew push-pull cables, choose the right autopilot drive unit for the boat, and calibrate the compass, rudder angle sensor and gains.

What sets this course apart: the complete system, from blade, stock and bearings to steering and autopilot; every technology, from cable and hydraulic to electro-hydraulic and drive-by-wire; safety, with emergency steering and critical inspection points; reference standards, with ISO 8848, ISO 10592 and ISO 13929 studied as course content; and an applied case in which you diagnose and repair a real system.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Complete system: blade, stock, bearings, steering and autopilot.
  • Every technology: cable, hydraulic, electro-hydraulic and drive-by-wire.
  • Safety: emergency tiller and critical inspection points.
  • Reference standards: ISO 8848, ISO 10592 and ISO 13929 studied as course content.
  • Autopilot calibration: compass, rudder angle sensor, gains and steering modes.
  • Applied case: repairing the hydraulic steering and autopilot of a 12 m sailing yacht.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Rudders, Hydraulic Steering and Autopilots Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Rudders and steering loads

  • 1.1. Types of rudder: balanced, semi-balanced, spade and skeg-hung, and their effect on handling
  • 1.2. Blade hydrodynamics: lift, stall angle and stock torque at different speeds
  • 1.3. Stock, rudder tube, self-aligning bearings and stuffing box: materials, clearances and sealing
  • 1.4. Inspection during haul-out: delamination, water in the blade, stock corrosion and bearing play
  • 1.5. Standards on steering systems studied as content: ISO 8848, ISO 10592 and ISO 13929
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Mechanical steering systems

  • 2.1. Wire steering: wheel, sprocket and chain, sheaves, quadrant and correct cable tensioning
  • 2.2. Rotary and rack-and-pinion push-pull cable steering on outboard boats
  • 2.3. Tillers, connecting rods and steering systems for twin engines with tie bars
  • 2.4. Lubrication, renewing seized cables and adjusting the rudder's mechanical stops
  • 2.5. Emergency tiller: location, access and periodic testing in line with good practice
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Hydraulic and electro-hydraulic steering

  • 3.1. Steering components: helm pump, balanced or unbalanced cylinder and check valves
  • 3.2. Filling and bleeding the hydraulic circuit, oil types and detecting air in the system
  • 3.3. Power-assisted hydraulic steering with engine-driven pump and systems for high-power outboards
  • 3.4. Electronic drive-by-wire and joystick steering systems with actuators on engines and drives
  • 3.5. Diagnosing leaks, stiff steering, excessive wheel turns and rudder drift
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Autopilots: components and installation

  • 4.1. Autopilot architecture: course computer, compass, rudder angle sensor and control unit
  • 4.2. Drive units: reversible hydraulic pumps, linear, rotary and tiller actuators
  • 4.3. Selection according to boat weight, length, steering type and steering cylinder volume
  • 4.4. Mechanical installation of the actuator, fitting the rudder angle sensor and positioning the electronic compass
  • 4.5. Connection to the NMEA 2000 network, power supply, clutch and integration with plotter and wind instruments
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Calibration, faults and practical case

  • 5.1. Autopilot calibration: compass alignment turns, rudder limits and dockside test
  • 5.2. Adjusting gain, counter-rudder and response according to sea state and speed
  • 5.3. Steering modes: compass heading, apparent or true wind and route following from the plotter
  • 5.4. Fault diagnosis: drive unit, rudder angle sensor, compass and power supply failures
  • 5.5. Practical case: diagnosing and repairing the hydraulic steering and autopilot of a 12 m sailing yacht
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Rudders, Hydraulic Steering and Autopilots Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Rudders, Hydraulic Steering and Autopilots Course

01Inspect rudders and stocks.
02Maintain mechanical steering.
03Bleed hydraulic systems.
04Select drive units.
05Calibrate autopilots.
06Diagnose steering faults.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Rudders, Hydraulic Steering and Autopilots Course

01Marine mechanicboatyard workshops and maintenance services.
02Steering systems technicianinstallation and repair of steering and rudders.
03Marine electronics technicianinstallation and calibration of autopilots.
04Yacht maintenance techniciantechnical management of private and charter yachts.
05After-sales techniciandistributors of steering systems and autopilots.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Rudders, Hydraulic Steering and Autopilots Course

The choice depends on boat weight, steering type and, for hydraulic systems, cylinder volume. The course teaches you to cross-reference these data to choose the right drive unit.

Usually because of air in the circuit or internal leaks. Module 3 explains the bleeding procedure and the tests to locate faulty valves or seals.

Yes. The course covers critical inspection points during haul-out, measuring bearing clearances and detecting corrosion or water in the blade.

It explains their architecture, general operation and main diagnostic points, referring to the manufacturer for each system's specific procedures.

Module 2 recommends checking its location, access and fit periodically, so that the crew can mount it quickly if the main steering fails.

The course is taught online and comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at marine mechanics, electronics technicians, boatyard staff and owners who want to maintain and repair rudders, steering systems and autopilots.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
  • Admission: enrollment is open all year round; online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $248 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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