[C320-list] Fw: Linear autohelm

[wdoc1 at aol.com]

 Shipmates- forwarding this email with detailed instructions/photos with permission from Jeff Hare. I installed a linear autohelm using this guidance in 2022, and have been very happy with results. 
I spent many hours curled up in the port-side aft compartment measuring, installing the shortened Edson tiller arm, installing backing plates on either side of the bulkhead, adjusting the position of the linear drive to get the "throw" just right and fabricating/installing a mount for the rudder sensor. Once the linear drive and rudder sensor were in place, a local marine electronics guy installed the rest of the system. So far it has worked flawlessly!
Bill  
   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com>To: wdoc1 at aol.com <wdoc1 at aol.com>Sent: Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10:15:33 PM EDTSubject: RE: Fw: [C320-list] Linear autohelm  
 Thanks Bill,
Feel free to forward that to the group or the person looking to do this.  Or even take that info, combine it with your experiences and write it up.  
You can use any of the pics in the photo albums that help.  
I'm not looking for credit or anything, just trying to help out. 👍
Cheers!Jeff
-------- Original message --------From: wdoc1 at aol.com Date: 9/27/24 4:50 PM (GMT-05:00) To: catalina at thehares.com Subject: Fw: [C320-list] Linear autohelm 
 Jeff-there is a linear autohelm inquiry today in the C320 list.I searched through my old emails and found this incredibly helpful email from you.I used your invaluable guidance to install a linear autohelm on my C320 and have been super-happy. 
I thought about forwarding this email back to the group, but thought since you compiled all the information it would be better if it came from you.
Thanks,
Bill McConnellDIVERSION2000 C320 #714
   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com>To: "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 at 08:44:57 PM EDTSubject: Re: [C320-list] Linear autohelm  
 Hi John,

I have quite a lot of information on installing the Raymarine EV-200 system on the C320. I'd be happy to chat with you and answer any questions you might have. I used information from Scott Thompson, Allan Field, and others and refined the process quite a bit.  This installation approach keeps it out of the way, without interfering with access to the aft locker and only minimal reduction in lock to lock steering.

My photo album with a ton of pictures and measurements here.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KyYK2v2nJy9eU7idA

As you can see, the aft wall is sandwiched between an aluminum plate inside the aft locker and with a finished stainless steel plate inside the aft cabin to create a solid mounting point for the base of the Linear Drive unit.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gBPkaJZq7FEDLV1P7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gHa8KBLrrcWXVN4s8

Here is the tiller arm I modified and the set of backing plates I fabricated for Bill Culbertson. The brushed stainless steel plate is on top of the heavy aluminum backing plate, and has the protective plastic on it in this picture.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HVGNA44qzMPkRFrp6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Rj8YjT7W1p3JfpXr9

The standard Edson tiller arm 926-10-610-MKII is a great tiller arm for this application. While it is too long out of Edson factory, the place where the linear drive bolt attaches for this boat allows for the excess tiller length to be removed without compromising the tiller so that it clears the aft cabin bulkhead. The bronze bushing made to fit in the tiller arm gap is a pretty important detail. This protects the drive bolt from being stressed and prevents the channel from being deformed when the nut on that bolt is tightened. I have pictures of a Catalina factory install where they didn't use a bushing so you could see what happened over a 10 yr span. Not critical and unlikely to fail, but not ideal.

My advice is that if you can afford the EV200 system, you won't be disappointed and it should be quite reliable and perform well in conditions that would challenge you more than you'd like. Like I said earlier, the electric Type 2 linear drive with the ACU200 has proven to be very reliable and a great fit for the C320.

-Jeff Hare

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of John Meyers
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2022 5:49 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Linear autohelm

I am thinking about putting in a linear autohelm. Haven't been on a boat with it. Not finding much written about this especially on the 320 unless I am looking in the wrong place.

Any advice? Go for it? Avoid it? Which brand/model is good?

Thanks

John Meyers
Muskegon, MI
WInd Chime
1997 #406