Can someone tell me what this is?

[first230sl]

Maybe I am having a brain freeze - but I do not know what this is (circled inthe image). Is is attached (normally - I have it apart now doing the rudder port) between the hynautic steering cylinder and the rudder arm. Is it some kind of autopilot actuator? My autopilot has a hydraulic pump in one of the engine rooms. This thing in the photo has only electrical connections going to it.

Thanks!

Murray

 

[jim rosenthal]

My guess is that it is the unit that sends information to the rudder position indicator- something that the autopilot would need to know, I think, to steer the boat. Anyone else?

 

[first230sl]

My guess is that it is the unit that sends information to the rudder position indicator- something that the autopilot would need to know, I think, to steer the boat. Anyone else?

I don't know for sure, but I do not think that is what it is. It is not bolted down and the whole unit moves with the steering (it is moved by the Hynautic ram as the boat is steered). If the ram on the circled unit extended or retracted, it would have the effect of moving the rudders.

Also, out of the picture are two pick-ups for rudder position (one for the indicator I have, and one for the indicator on the AP).

If I determine it is not functional, then I'd like to remove it because it introduces some play into the steering.

Take care - and thanks for the guess Jim.

Best regards - Murray

 

[Nonchalant1]

It's a rudder flange bedding adapter used on boats where there's 5/8" too much bedding.

Seriously, just follow the wires. When you know where they go, you'll know what it is. If they're cut off or not attached, dump it. I know you'd have done this already if it were easy to follow them, but you can usually figure out where they go by looking at shape and color of the cable and toning it out at the other end to be sure. Hard to do, but sure to tell you if you need it. It sure is beefy to be just dragging around without being attached at the other end. Maybe there used to be something more there.

Doug

 

[first230sl]

It's a rudder flange bedding adapter used on boats where there's 5/8" too much bedding.
Doug

There is a small possibility that you are closer to the truth here than you think. The unattached end fork that you see normally attaches to the rudder control arm to move the rudder. As you can see in the picture, the cylinder that the "thing's" ram sits in is large enough that the ram cannot get closer than about 1.5 inches off the plywood it sits on.

So - I am wondering if it is possible that when they installed that unidentified thing, they found that the rudder control arm was too low on the plywood to connect it. Therefore they decided to raise the rudders up, and did that by lifting the rudder ports and putting the bedding underneith.

I would believe it completely, except that they could have accomplished the same thing much more easily (and professionally, IMHO) by just cutting the 5/8" off the bottom of the rudder port cylinders.

And yes - thanks for the advice on tracing the wires. You are correct, I lost them in a tangle as they went through a bulkhead at the end of the day yesterday when I was tired and wanted to come home.

Back to the boat today to remove the starboard port.

Take care - Murray

 

[captddis]

It looks like a old control from a 70s vintage Unipas autopilot. You can remove it and then just put the correct length of pipe back in its place. Dave

 

[first230sl]

Thanks Dave. Sounds right to me.

First I'll disconnect the wiring and see if anything stops working

If not - time to add it to the list of things to do (taking it out that is).

Thanks and take care - Murray

It looks like a old control from a 70s vintage Unipas autopilot. You can remove it and then just put the correct length of pipe back in its place. Dave

 

[saltshaker]

I have the same thing on my 46C. It's the old rudder control from a Woods Freeman autopilot.

Jack Sardina

 

[jim rosenthal]

well, i was sort of close anyway...I guess you guys have been boating longer than I have..