Hello,
I just had a Raymarine belowdecks autopilot installed. I love it, but on my first heavy sail, the connection with the steering quadrant broke.
I have since read that many of you have attached the autopilot to the rudder by installing a bronze steering arm directly on the rudder shaft. I guess this is the preferable installation. Should I abandon the connection directly to the quadrant even though the section where it broke has been reinforced with a special bracket?
Thanks,
Kevin Schempf
"Windfall"
Traverse City, MI
Catalina 36 Mk 2 #1918
TR/WK
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Kevin Schempf
"Windfall" #1918
2000 C-36 Mk II TR/WK
Traverse City, Michigan
Hi Kevin:
A direct connection to the rudder radial drive wheel is normally discouraged for the reasons you discovered. Edson makes a very heavy duty tiller fitting for the rudder post that provides the best attachment option for the autopilot actuator. I just installed a Garmin GHP12 autopilot with a class A linear actuater and used the Edson tiller fitting. Much better than attaching to the drive wheel. Check out the following Edson web site for more info: [url]http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/PDFs/planning/EB373Tillerarm_workshee...(link is external)
Tom & Janis Grover
C36 #0949
SR/WK, M25XP
Midland, ON
Kevin, who installed the autopilot?
The linear actuator should not have been attached to the steering quadrant, but via an Edson tiller arm to the rudder post. My article - with lots of photos - explains the procedure I used. The result, in my *humble* opinion, was a very neat installation and a nicely performing autopilot. See the article in the C36IA Technical - Upgrades library. Let us know your comments after you read the article.
The C36IA Technical - Upgrades library and the Technical - Maintenance library are accessible by paid C36IA Members (capital M) only. Membership in this forum (small m) alone, while free, does not give access to the Members Only portion of this website.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Yes, abandon the present attachment to the steering quadrant and install the Edson tiller arm.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
I installed via the rudder post arm, it works well and will not fail if the quadrant fails.
The only down side us the reduced rudder movement (wheel turns slightly less now, still fine for sailing, just tight turns suffer now).
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Cat375 - Rock The Boat - Hull 54
Lake Macquarie - NSW - Australia
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your help. Larry, I had already read your detailed description of your installation. It was most helpful and led to my questions if this was indeed the best connection. I had the autopilot "professionally" installed, but he must not have known to install the tiller arm. I'm sure that I can get him to change the connection especially with the most helpful links provided by all of you.
I have owned this boat for two months now and I purchased it largely due to the strength of the owners association. I am reaping the benefits of your experience. Plus, the boat is great.
Wouldn't using the shorter arm (Edson lists a short and long version) allow for greater movement of the rudder and avoid the restrictions mentioned in the last post?
Kevin
Kevin Schempf
"Windfall" #1918
2000 C-36 Mk II TR/WK
Traverse City, Michigan
The tiller arm I used (part number identified in my article, I believe) is the best one to use. There will be only a minor restriction in rudder travel, which will be unnoticeable at the helm. Don't worry about it. The reason for the slight rudder travel restriction is because the snubbers have to be 're-set' to protect the linear actuator from its extreme travel limits. You want the snubber to be the rudder limit, not the linear actuator to be the rudder limit.
I suggest you print out my article and give it to your installer.
Good luck.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B