Looking for Rudder Angle Indicator

'Bright Ayes'

New Member
Feb 9, 2007
149
Bay Shore, New York
Have a 97 400DA. Do not have autopilot, so, am looking to install rudder angle indicator on it. Anyone have any used ones out there in very good condition that they want to sell? Or does anyone out there have any recommendations of which one or what types to buy? Only looking for complete units not just parts of a unit.
Thanks
 
Believe it or not, adding a real rudder angle indicator is just about as involved as an autopilot. Add the AP and enjoy the benefits,

Failing that, here's a short cut I use. I move some boats for various people and the Sea Ray dealer and not many have autopilots. THe first thing I do it turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and count the turns. Divide by 2 and that is where the rudders are amidship. From there, on a 400DA or EC you will get the hang of keeping up with where you rudders are pretty quickly.
 
Thanks for your advice Frank. I have been reading a bit on different topics and your name seems to always pop up as the goto guy for experience & knowledge so I appreciate your input. As for the AP, my limited knowledge tells me that you are absolutely correct. However, at this point it is primarily a cost factor. A lot cheaper to put in RAI instead of AP and I'm not sure that I would use the AP very much although it would be a neat thing to have.
Thanks again, and keep the advice coming.

Michael (O.J. to my friends - trust me I had the nickname long before the other guy!!!)
 
VDO makes one that will mount at the rudder arm at the transom. This setup is around $200 if I recall and requires the installation of a 2" gauge at the helm and a rudder reference unit at the stern. Should take a few hours to install. The absolute easiest solution is made by Davis Instruments and it is a little dial you adhere to the center of your wheel and as the wheel turns side to side it has dial that shows how far it is turned one way or another. Installation probably takes 2 minutes. If you need more info on either let me know.
 
admin said:
Should take a few hours to install.

Multiply by two and add a third.. :grin: ..whenever you have to run wires from the bilge to the helm there is always something.....

It took me more than a few hours, back when I installed my smartcraft on my 380DA, just to get the cables to the helm area from both engines....then at least an hour or so to dress them up and button things back up. I installed the SC Screen on a different day....

Bright Ayes....your clock has already started....planning the install is part of the "experience"....you won't be done until you pull off the dock and everything checks out....

good luck.....
 
Michael,

I can tell you that the a/p is the one thing on your boat that you will wonder how you ever did without once you install one. They do more for you than drive the boat to a way point. If you cruise your boat at all, an a/p substantially reduces fatigue since it frees your hands to do other things like look at a chart, program in the next waypoint, get a coke, swat the dog/kid/wife/?.........I wouldn't own a 40' boat without one.

But, you didn't ask about autopilots, did you...........?
 
You're right Frank, I didn't but I am very interested in whatever anyone says regarding boating if it I didn't ask about it. Thank you for the info. I was correct though, AP/s are quite expensive - Yes? :smt017
 
Cars are expensive too, but if all you need to do is haul your bones from point A to point B, then a Yugo can do it as well as a Lexus, but just not as comfortably and with fewer bells and whistles. Same thing with AP's. If you want one to just hold a course, then its going to be cheaper than one with a hydraulic drive and the ability to interface with other electronics like plotters, radar, etc. The one I put on my old 390EC cost less than the labor to install it....the one on the 450DA we have now was expensive, but was part of the original electronics package on the boat.

I'd shoot Jim Maier, the admin, a PM and ask his recommendations. They own an electronics company and probably sell several brands.
 
OJ:

I have been boating for over 30 years and in 2005 I bought my first boat equipped with AP. AP combined with engine sychronizers (not engine sync guage) have made cruising offshore even more pleasurable than I could have ever imagined. I had read about how great these two features were, but until I had first hand experience, I wasn't convinced. Well....I have sipped the Kool-Aid and will never go back....

As stated above, you still have to keep a SHARP LOOK OUT, but you are way more relaxed at the wheel and are able to multi-task (as best a male can) whilel the electronics take care of the mundane...plus, on longer trips, with strong winds and currents, you will actually save fuel....
 
Thanks Dominic for your input. I will keep everyone's advice in mind as I continue my search for the all elusive right thing to do! Need to make a decision though by mid March before I take delivery so it can be installed before it goes in the water.

Thansk Again,
OJ
 
AP and/or RI can be installed with the boat in the water....don't rush your decision....
 
Thanks Dominic. Not looking to rush, just would like it installed in boat before I take delivery end of March so that I can take my captains lessons and practice with it before the actual season begins. :smt001
Thanks again for info.
OJ
 
Dude..........don't over think or complicate things. What's to practice? With an a/p you point the boat and punch the button! But find the red "standby" button first so you can kill the a/p when you need to.

Learning to get the most out of whatever marine electronics you have on t he boat is going to take longer than a new owner orientation. Save that stuff for later and during your orientation concentrate on learning the various systems on the boat and how to operate and maintain each.
 
Here is the one I installed after doing a lot of research three years ago:

http://www.jandhproducts.com/_e/dep...ymarine_ST60_Rudder_Indicator_A22015P&sp=st60

If you have troubles with the link, it is a Raymarine ST60 Rudder Indicator system (about $400). The most difficult part about this installation (two hours) is mounting the electronic tiller. In my case, I had to fabricate a bracket which took the majority of time.

The rest of the installation is running the tiller wire to the guage at the helm and connecting power to it. Calibration takes a few minutes. I mounted the display on a flat surface just forward of the wheel.

I went back and forth on the auto-pilot/rudder indicator choice. I boat on the Potomac which is filled with things that can hurt your boat and requires a constant look-out especially on plane. As a result, I didn't believe I would use an auto-pilot very often.

In my case, I just wanted to know instantly where the rudders were. The device really helps with docking (backing and crabbing), given that slips in DC are tight and currents/winds are tricky.


John

ASE Master Mechanic
 
Thanks John. Appreciate the info. That is the same one that I am looking to have installed. I am not as handy as you so someone will be doing it for me but I know that is the right one to get.

Thanks again & Happy Boating,

OJ (Don't laugh! I had the nickname long B4 the other guy!!)
 
OJ,

You won't be disappointed with it. I have to back out of my slip and spin it around 270 degrees in the fairway to get my boat out. The only trick that consistently works is to set the rudders to half port, back out on the starboard engine, set the rudders amidships and use the engines/transmissions to spin the boat. My slip is next to the walkway which means no starboard room to work with.

That device lets me set things up each time for a perfect departure. If you would find it useful, I will get a photo of where I placed the indicator on the helm and one of the tiller bracket.

John

ASE Master Mechanic
 

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