Navik self steering

[owen]

the navik self steering on my brothers boat needs a new connecting rod between the vane and the paddle. does anyone know the dimensions of the rod and wether it has threaded ends for adjustment. he is getting it made up rather than buying from navik. any suggestions gratefully accepted

 

[charles_reed]

As there are about 11 (that could be described as rods) between vane and trim-tab, it's almost impossible to answer your question.

If, as I suspect, it is the short connecting link in the horizontal plane attached to 2 ball joints, I would counsel against what he's proposing. The female sockets are a delrin moulding and almost impossible to machine.

The manufacturers are Plastimo (UK) and they usually supply parts for the Navik through one of their agents, but will occasionally deal direct.

 

[owen]

thanks charles
it is the long vertical connecting rod that is the problem. i have seen the plastimo web site and it has some drawings but obviously not that detailed re exact lengths etc.
the boat is in antigua and he was hoping to cobble something together before the weekend.

 

[charles_reed]

That's a carbon fibre layup tube with delrin sprung sockets at each end. As already said those sockets are the most ticklish thing of all to substitute.

Anything heavier will degrade performance no end - I got a spare when I bought the Navik (because that was the most often lost item) but have never needed to use it. It wasn't particularly expensive about L18 from memory.

Incidentally I only use the Navik offshore, it needs plenty of room and a constant wind, two things you don't get coasting.