Refit and repair
projects related to the rudder and self-steering onboard our 1985 Tayana 37
include:
rebuilt steering quadrant yoke and bolts
after storm damage in 02/06
replaced broken Raymarine ST 6000
autopilot after storm damage in 02/06
installed Monitor windvane self-steering
system in 10/06
Here are some photos and descriptions of
these projects:
Rudder and
Steering: Storm-related damage to the rudder and steering quadrant
revealed a weak link in 2006. The cast bronze bracket that holds the
steering quadrant to the rudder had developed a crack, and when it was
removed, we discovered that it had previously been repaired. We took
the part to the Art of Iron shop in Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Jay fabricated a
new one made out of stainless steel.
Rudder and
Steering: The bolts that held the steering quadrant to the rudder were
deformed when the bracket broke. We had new ones fabricated at the
same shop where we had the bracket made.
Rudder and
Steering: Unfortunately, when the steering quadrant failed, it sheered
off the linear drive of the Autohelm which had to be removed and sent to
Raymarine for evaluation. The part could not be repaired, and so we
ordered a rebuilt part and installed it in the same location. Months
later, when a technician was adjusting another part on the autopilot, he
noticed that the rebuilt unit had not been installed correctly -- it was
serving as the rudder stop on one side. He helped us re-mount it
correctly, and it has worked perfectly ever since.
Self-Steering:
A Monitor
self-steering windvane was the last piece of equipment we added before
departing Annapolis for the start of the Caribbean 1500 rally. We finished the installation in Hampton with
the help of Paul, a volunteer crew member on another boat in the
rally. He has one on his boat which is very similar to Gyatso.
We use the electronic autopilot as our primary self-steering mechanism and
the Monitor windvane as our back-up.
