[C320-list] Autohelm Mk2 Wheeldrive

[Jeff Church]

Chris,

I wasn't lobbying or debating your decision either. It's too bad that tone 
is difficult to convey in an email. My intention was to benefit the other 
owners that are considering the project by explaining my preference and 
generally describing the steps that would be necessary to install on the 
stbd side. In the process I once again exposed my extreme analicity.

You're right. We tend to over-analyze these things. Without a rudder to 
steer with I almost always use the autopilot, and after a month or so the 
port side would be second nature. I'm sure that a port side install is 
easier, and it probably does not cause any problems. The very expert rigger 
at my local Catalina broker routinely does installations with the motor on 
the port side.

As to the indexing/locating post/pin. The length of the post/pin actually 
needed to be reduced by about 2". In addition to that, mine and others did 
not fit in the same attachment holes that the old post used because the new 
post would hit the instrument pod. Others mentioned grinding 1/4" of 
material off the bottom of the flange portion of the post to make it fit. 
That is what I thought you were referring to when you wrote that it needed 
"a bit of grinding." I found it easier to just move the pod.

For the benefit of others, again, I posted a picture of the rudder reference 
transducer in my album in the owner's gallery on the C320 site. If anyone 
wants more detailed photos and text I can easily forward to them the same 
email that I have sent to several other owners in the past few days.

JeffC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Burti" <cburti at yahoo.com>
To: "C320-List" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 9:20 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autohelm Mk2 Wheeldrive


>I am not lobbying for any particular installation. Go
> with what suits you.
>
> This is just an observation that I haven't found any
> downsides to the portside installation.
>
> I had it done by a pro, but he was finished before I
> could get there so it could not have taken more than a
> couple of hours. That makes it appear that the
> portside is an easy install. Using the left hand to
> operate the clutch lever is perfectly natural with
> your right hand on the wheel. It is probably easier
> since you don't have to bend over to release or engage
> the lever. I see no observable effect on the compass
> for coastal navigation.
>
> My recollection is that, at the time, I spent a
> significant amount of time studying and considering
> all the issues and came to the conclusion that I would
> have preferred the standard starboard installation but
> it was easier to go with the alternate.
>
> Now, after three years of heavy use, I haven't a clue
> as to why I even bothered to give it a second thought.
>
> --more below--
>
> --- Jeff Church <jjemail at comcast.net> wrote:
>> Chris,
>>
>> I would have had to grind 3/8" off the bottom of the
>> post, so I just
>> relocated the instrument pod 1/2" lower.
>
> The only change required on our boat was a shortening
> of the locating/indexing pin that came with the unit.
> I am not sure what post you are referring to. While I
> was certain during dry fitting that the stupid thing
> couldn't possibly fit...no changes were required to
> the pedestal guard or instrument pods. Made me believe
> in magic, 'cause I sure can't explain it and the
> installer only answered my inquiry with a
> cryptic..."no problem".
>
>
> Chris Burti
> "Commitment"
> Catalina 320, #867,
> Farmville, NC
>
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