[C320-list] Some instrument advice out there?

[Scott Thompson]

You lose some rudder movement with the linear drive, but I haven't 
really felt it was an issue. I haven't been on board for a few weeks, 
but going from memory, I would guess that I lost maybe 20% of rudder 
travel. (I'll try to measure next time I'm on board.) I can still turn 
the boat around in place by putting the wheel hard over to port and then 
alternating between forward and reverse. On the other hand, Surprise 
lives on a mooring and I rarely need to maneuver into a slip where sharp 
turns would be required.

The upgrades were a major investment and I made sure that the spouse 
understood that we were committing to keep the boat for a while if we 
made that investment. I think we've both been very happy with the 
results. We have better performance and a much simplified helm station. 
I was amazed at the performance improvement over the older wheel drive.

The linear drive attaches to an Edson tiller arm that bolts directly to 
the rudder shaft. I believe it is keyed so that the arm won't slip on 
the shaft. It was a professional install. I'm pretty sure that the Edson 
hardware for rotary drives clamps around the rudder post in a similar 
fashion. You should contact them directly to inquire.

Scott

On 8/23/2014 9:40 AM, Robert Sloat wrote:
> Scott-I checked out your pictures on the C320 website.  Very informative.  How much rudder movement do you lose from end stop to end stop with the linear installation?  I haven’t check out if there is any loss with a rotary system, but I assume installing a sprocket on the rudder post on our C320s requires disconnecting the rudder p0st so the sprocket can be installed.  That looks like a fairly big project even for me.
>
> I sail on Lake Michigan and so far the Raymarine ST 4000+ has performed well is all conditions save for two control head repairs needed over 13 seasons.
>
> The upgrade of instruments on your boat looks impressive.  I would love to go that route to get the upgrade with everything looking coordinated rather than mix and match series models.  Need to somehow to do this without revealing the dollar amount to spouse.  After all this is a sport and mental health depends on it being fun.
>
>
> On Aug 21, 2014, at 9:04 AM, Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com> wrote:
>
>> I'll add that after two seasons I couldn't be happier with the Raymarine linear drive setup, except for a few minor issues having to do with the control unit software: I don't like the "rolling road" graphical animation on the control unit when I'm in "track" mode. It's just silly, and does not show me the compass or wind information I get in other modes. And certain "pattern" modes are only available if you configure the unit to think it is installed on a fishing boat, in which case the wind modes disappear. Don't they know that sometimes people go fishing from a sailboat when the wind dies? (The patterns could also be helpful in a MOB or emergency search situation.)
>>
>> The linear drive itself is terrific. It is almost silent and very smooth. I like the fact that I have an independent steering solution. It drives the boat much better than the older ST4000+ unit it replaced, with none of the "snake wake" problems I had with the older unit when in track mode.
>>
>> Scott Thompson
>> Surprise, #653
>>
>> On 8/20/2014 10:19 AM, Allan S Field wrote:
>>> Scott Thompson has pictures out on the C320 website regarding a linear drive
>>> install.  I followed his instructions and did the same install after going
>>> through 3 wheel pilots.  I highly recommend this robust solution.  The
>>> linear drive is designed for a 24K pound boat and the C320 is less than 12K
>>> with the result that the drive will hold a straight line course in virtually
>>> any kind of wind and seas. See:
>>> http://www.catalina320.com/search.php?query=linear+drive&type=all&mode=searc
>>> h&results=30
>>>
>>> Allan S. Field
>>> Sea Shadow - #808
>>> Columbia, MD
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
>>> Of Stephen Cox
>>> Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 10:01 AM
>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Some instrument advice out there?
>>>
>>>
>>>>   1. I was assuming wheel drive  but what models fit the wheel with the
>>>> factory pedestal arrangement?
>>>>   2. What models has anybody installed recently and what are your
>>>> thoughts?
>>>>   
>>> You have to ask yourself when will you really need the autopilot.  The wheel
>>> pilot is OK for mild conditions but when the going gets really tough the
>>> wheel pilot setup just won't cut the mustard in the long run.  Been there,
>>> done that.  I have upgraded my Autohelm system from an ST4000 II autopilot
>>> by installing a hydraulic ram setup acting directly onto a lever on the
>>> rudder stock (separate from the steering quadrant), upgraded the computer to
>>> an X30 (needed to provide the maximum amps of the ram setup) and reused the
>>> control head.  Using a separate lever onto the rudder stock gives you
>>> complete backup steering if something fails in the normal steering setup.
>>> Some people do connect their drives to the quadrant but Edson don't
>>> recommend it and if you think about it it’s a false economy if it fails.
>>>
>>> There are good linear drive systems out there too now so you don't have to
>>> go hydraulic, its just that I managed to get a ram setup on eBay for about
>>> 1/10 of the rrp from a former dealer who was remaindering his stock of bits
>>> and pieces.
>>>
>>> As to second hand, if cost is an issue I would pay to get the drive new but
>>> the computer, compass, rudder angle and control head second hand.  As new
>>> models of gear come out there are always people who just have to upgrade
>>> what is really quite good gear with plenty of feature and life in it.
>>>
>>> Just my two pennies worth,
>>>
>>> Stephen Cox
>>> Tegwen #1141
>>>
> Bob Sloat
> Savannah 894 (2002)
> Waukegan Harbor, IL
>