Grandpa I have a Seasport with the outside steering and controls but that does you no good when you have to tend to a pole and there's no one to steer. The whole concept of the TR-1 is "an autopilot that steers for you and holds course". I have had one since they were first released and fish exclusively in salt water. Have never had a problem with anything corroding and ceasing to work. Of course it's like anything else in salt water, if you never grease it or take care of it then eventually everything will stop working. I'll admit they're expensive but it's more than paid for itself in more time spent fishing and less time fighting to steer the boat while working rods at the same time.