Monitor Windvane Wheel Adapter Jury-Rig

[brianontheroad]

I bought an old monitor about a year ago and didn't realize that it came off a tiller boat...doh, I'm about to fit it to the back of the boat (last minute pre-cruise addition) and I definitely don't have $500 for the monitor wheel clutch, I do however have an old wheel adapter from an autopilot (old school belt style) mounted on the wheel......I was thinking as a temporary (until a used wheel adapter came up or I had the cash to buy a new one) measure I could rig it up as the wheel adapter by drilling two holes into it and attaching two lines to it, then when I wanted to engage the monitor, tie the lines to the steering lines on the vane, I know it's a sloppy solution, but I'm pretty sure it would work

any other suggestions/ thoughts?

Thanks!
Brian

[rustypirate]

The issue you are going to face is that your wheel will not be straight ahead when you want to engage the vane, so the clutch allows you to move the wheel while the part that attaches to the vane stays stationary.

When you have the boat's steering baslanced, you engage the clutch to lock the vane part and the wheel part togeather.

[Paul L]

Take a look at the Sailomat vane wheel approach. They use an adapter like you are talking about. Then they use some blocks and cam cleats to loosen or tighten the control lines that go to the hub. You could probably copy a setup like this using your adapter pretty easily. There should be some photos on their site

Paul L