Steering and Controls
Installing a Raymarine Rudder Feedback Unit and Rudder Position Indicator
Installing a rudder feedback system requires correct mechanical geometry, electrical connections and a solid mounting structure for accurate rudder-position information. In this video, I install a Raymarine rudder feedback unit (RFU) and rudder position indicator on a trawler, including replacing a corroded steering arm, fabricating mounting platforms and building the linkage between the rudder, RFU and indicator. I also cover restoring the steering compartment and mounting a stern-thruster battery, with practical considerations that apply to steering and autopilot installations on both sailboats and trawlers.
Building a Custom Boat Helm Station and Marine Dashboard
Building a custom boat helm requires careful fabrication before the electronics and wiring go in. In this video, I continue building the helm station on my trawler, including finishing the helm pod with teak trim, cutting and working with cast acrylic for the new marine dashboard, and mocking up the navigation pod for the electronics. I show the tools, cutting techniques and speeds used to prevent acrylic from cracking or melting, cut openings for Simrad and Garmin displays, and use templates and mockups to establish the final dashboard and helm layout before wiring and installation.
Planning Sailboat and Trawler Steering Wheels, Throttle and Helm Controls
A boat helm layout needs to be planned around the steering and engine controls before cutting panels or permanently mounting equipment. In this video, I use full-size templates and mockups to determine the correct placement and clearances for the steering wheel, throttle and shifter, engine controls, autopilot hardware, switches and gauges. I also compare 18-inch and 20-inch steering wheels, adjust helm-chair position for better steering ergonomics, and correct a helm-pod design that interfered with the engine controls. These same planning techniques apply when designing or rebuilding helm stations on both sailboats and trawlers.
Building a Custom Boat Helm for Modern Marine Electronics
Older sailboats and trawlers often need a new helm pod when the original instrument box cannot accommodate modern navigation electronics or interferes with the steering and engine controls. In this video, I show how I design and fabricate a custom helm pod using cardboard patterns and PVC foam board, including sizing the enclosure for Garmin and Simrad electronics, gauges, VHF radio, switches and a rudder indicator. I also cover instrument ventilation, working around throttle and gear-shift clearance, dealing with asymmetrical boat geometry, and using the screw-and-glue method to fabricate the new helm enclosure.