Rudder angle guage. Useful or not?

thinwater

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Perhaps there is value for "keeping track" for boats that have more than 3 turns LTL. Maybe. I added one but never felt the need to look at it. I had about 2.5 turns LTL.

It does help the AP self tune off the wind in rough conditions (had one). Mostly, it only helped if the boat was poorly balanced, and it didn't help much. Re-balancing sails was more important. It was no help to windward (was not needed--worked great without it)

But for watching helm angle regarding balance, a bit of tape or string on the wheel at center, and +/- 2 degrees is going to be far more accurate and useful.

The only real help is that it keeps the AP from trying to destroy itself by turning past a rudder stop. That was a worthwhile improvement.
 

rogerthebodger

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Thanks Roger, I'm glad someone understands the link between tiller arm and wheel!

I have twin wheel hydraulic so you cannot even mark the wheels as th rudder centre can be on different places on each wheel depending on the usage of each wheel.

My AP is also hydraulic so that also influences the position of each wheel and tiller arm. A quadrant is generally used on mechanical (wire,chain, gear/rod) steering where the wheels are always in the same relationship with each other and the quadrant.
 
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