[C320-list] Some instrument advice out there?

Tue Sep 2 04:42:27 PDT 2014

How does the linear drive dis-engage?

Main concern is if it's electrical, could that fail and you lose manual operation when you want it?  Any issues dis-engaging the autohelm?  Can the helm be stiff if it doesn't fully dis-engage?

Wheel drive is a manual dis-engage.

Just asking. 

Scott Westwood

scottwestwood at bellsouth.net
H (919)-362-8538
C (919)-618-7185

________________________________
 From: Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2014 8:05 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Some instrument advice out there?

Following up on my post from last week. I was on board recently and 
measured the loss in rudder movement with the linear drive. It was more 
than I reported and is more like 33%. Specifically, I now can turn the 
wheel 2/3 of a revolution (4 spokes) in each direction instead of the 
one full turn I had before the rudder stops were modified. 2/3 is plenty 
for maneuvering the boat in my experience.

Scott

On 8/23/2014 11:54 AM, Scott Thompson wrote:
> 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
>>
>