Rudder angle guage. Useful or not?

[thinwater]

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.

 

[PCUK]

Magnet on the rudder tiller are on reed switch mounted to close when tiller arm centered.

I made up a variable resister mounted in a similar way driving a lime of LEDs red to port green to starboard and yellow at the centre point

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

 

[rogerthebodger]

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.

 

[RichardS]

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

Probably the same person who said "a reed switch on the rudder operating arm would do the trick".

Richard

 

[PCUK]

Exactly!