Issue #: 205
Published: January / February 2026
- Price per issue - digital : 6.50€Digital magazine
- Price per issue - print : 9.50€Print magazine
- Price with subscription : from 2.91€Subscribe
Danish company Marlic A/S presented its 3520 Hydraulic Steering Cylinder at Metstrade, and it received a Special Mention at the DAME Awards in the Propulsion and Dynamics category.
The hydraulic cylinder directly integrates three functions that are usually separate: steering thrust, rudder position sensing, and the steering interface (autopilot/joystick). The whole unit forms a single, pre-calibrated, ready-to-connect module that operates entirely in analog mode, without software or configuration.
The 3520 was designed as a direct fit to replace MerCruiser systems: same center-distances, same size, no major modifications required for initial installation. The real benefit comes in refits, where sterndrive legs are found - as might be the case on board some large tenders, or previous-generation powercats, and semi-custom boats. The module replaces an assembly consisting of a cylinder, a pilot pump, hydraulic connections, and a separate sensor, with fewer leak points, significantly less wiring and reduced power consumption.
Technically, the system connects in plug and play fashion into an autopilot or joystick. Position measurement is integrated into the cylinder, which stabilizes the autopilot input signal and eliminates external sensors that are sensitive to shock or corrosion. The elimination of the autopilot pump and electro-hydraulic gateways also reduces losses and simplifies maintenance. Marlic is keen to point out that the 3520 can also be adapted to more traditional rudder systems, thus broadening the scope of its application.
What readers think
Post a comment
No comments to show.