Stainless frame for Windpilot

[glynnffc]

Now I have the Windpilot I need a frame for the transom.
I have access to some great metalworkers but don't know where to buy the 316 tubing or more importantly the connectors to the transom.
Kayospruce sell tubing, with a thin wall, but I don't think the fittings for canopies will be strong enough.
Any ideas would be helpful and usually a lot quicker than spending hours on google chasing false leads.
Thanks,
Glynn

 

[Hadenough]

https://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm...---TUBE-FITTINGS--BOAT-HANDRAILS&l=0000000031

 

[glynnffc]

Thankyou, that was so quick and looks to be just what I'm looking for.

 

[TimBennet]

Don't worry unduly about 316 for up on the transom. 304L would be good enough if you are welding it.

Metals4u (and other stainless stockholders) have all sorts of tubes and pipe in stainless.

Remember stiffness goes up with the square of the diameter so don't make it too small - use bigger diameter with thinner wall.

You can make brackets for the legs to mount onto the transom by cutting similar ones to those that Monitor uses. You can see the sort of thing on this diagram.

http://www.selfsteer.com/partsService/monitor/images/monitorPartsDiagram1.jpg

You can cut and fashion them from a piece of suitable channel, again from Metals4u or their ilk.

The 50mm x 50mm x 3mm channel will have 44mm between the uprights which is about the same as the OD of 1 3/4 tubing. Other combinations also work.

 

[glynnffc]

The makers recommended 25 or 30mm with 2mm walls, but most tube seems to have thinner walls, which probably explains bigger tubing you see on most boats.Thanks for the drawing, those feet look good.

 

[vyv_cox]

My Windpilot was mounted on two bent straps about 30 x 6 mm each. The ends bolted to the ransom, top and bottom, the Windpilot attached via bolt holes in the centre of the spans. These were provided by Windpilot and worked perfectly well, with sufficient rigidity, for several years. This is the best photo I have showing it.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have a monitor and used a gate type mounting

 

[glynnffc]

Thanks for the pictures.It's always nice to see how others have done things.

 

[fishermantwo]

I used 316 SS angle about 50mmx 4mm. The inboard end uses a single bolt of each stern stanchion. Underneath out of view is a single 15mm tube with a thread adjustment that attaches using the old stern step holes for vertical support. The windvane is attached by two 5/16th SS bolts and is quickly and easily removed.