Monitor Windvane Question

[Fatbob]

My boat came with both a wheel driven autopilot and a Monitor Windvane. When I bought it, the monitor ring was on the front of the wheel (between wheel and pedestal) and the autopilot ring was on the aft side of the wheel. I determined this was backwards since the belt for the autopilot will only line up properly when the autopilot ring is on the front of the wheel (between the wheel and pedestal). I have an old photo (attached) of my boat from a previous owner and confirmed my suspicion ....autopilot on front and wind vane on back.

So, I switched the rings around; however, now the windvane ring doesn't fit properly because the locking pin will hit the gear shifter on the pedestal. I know it can be done....the previous owner (passed away now) had the boat set up that way (see photo). But I can't figure out how you can put the windvane ring on the aft side of the wheel and keep the locking pin from hitting the gear shifter.

Anyone else have this issue and solve it?

Thanks for any insight.

Drew

[Orion Jim]

I’ve never seen a locking pin in that orientation. It should be essentially parallel to the spokes of the wheel. I’ve had the old adapter, which yours is, and the new adapter and neither had the pin oriented like that. I’ll look through my photos and see if I have anything showing my adapter in place.

Found one, you can see the orientation of the locking pin in this photo. Perhaps yours is not a Monitor wheel adapter?

[Fatbob]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

I’ve never seen a locking pin in that orientation. It should be essentially parallel to the spokes of the wheel. I’ve had the old adapter, which yours is, and the new adapter and neither had the pin oriented like that. I’ll look through my photos and see if I have anything showing my adapter in place.

Found one, you can see the orientation of the locking pin in this photo. Perhaps yours is not a Monitor wheel adapter?

Jim,

Thanks. Yes, I've seen some photos of the stye ring you have as well. I emailed a photo of my ring to Monitor and they confirmed it is an older design of theirs. Their recommended solution was to purchase a new design (parallel to the spokes) at a cost of $600. Since the previous owner of my boat had this ring installed, I figured I'd save the $600....if only I can figure out how the heck he got it to clear the gear lever.

Regards,

Drew

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by Fatbob

Jim,

Thanks. Yes, I've seen some photos of the stye ring you have as well. I emailed a photo of my ring to Monitor and they confirmed it is an older design of theirs. Their recommended solution was to purchase a new design (parallel to the spokes) at a cost of $600. Since the previous owner of my boat had this ring installed, I figured I'd save the $600....if only I can figure out how the heck he got it to clear the gear lever.

Regards,

Drew

You could install a spacer on the aft side or your wheel. That would shift the
Locking pin aft. Something in the style of a large washer would work. The thickness would be dictated by the clearance required.

[wholybee]

I've not seen this type of ring before, but is there a way to flip it around? There should be a circlip that holds the 2 parts together. Maybe you can take it apart and flip it so the pin protrudes the other way?

Or, maybe there is a way to make the autopilot work with the rings the way they had been?

It might be a possibility that the previous owner didn't manage to get the autopilot and windvane to work at the same time, and you will need a new wheel adapter ring. It is important the lines to the ring are perfectly aligned. Even a 1/4" misalignment will cause problems. The moving from front to back of the wheel will cause a serious misalignment. So, you can use the position of the blocks for those lines as another guide for how it was set-up, and be prepared to adjust them as well.

[AiniA]

Full disclosure, I had the newer style ring. I can't imagine how having the Monitor control behind (forward) the wheel would work. Very often when you are course setting you have to shift to an adjacent hole (or two) and you are doing this while steering and keeping your butt in one place. Reaching through the wheel could easily result in a broken finger or sprained wrist. We also has a CPT system mounted behind the wheel.

[bobnlesley]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

You could install a spacer on the aft side or your wheel...

That sounds a practical answer.

[davil]

may sound too simple (if it sounds simple sounds bad), any reason against cutting that screw head off?

[Fatbob]

Originally Posted by davil

may sound too simple (if it sounds simple sounds bad), any reason against cutting that screw head off?

Davil,

I wish that would work; however, there is a button inside the head that releases the locking pin so the ships wheel can move independently of the monitor ring. The idea being that you can keep the ropes installed and engage/release the Monitor Windvane depending on if you are allowing it to steer or you want to take manual control.

Thanks for the input.

Drew

[davil]

posted the above because the locking pin shows quite a few threads free.
however, the spacer sounds better.

[davil]

sorry, presumptuous from me.
Have the "new"version, wonder how the previous owner made it work?, or may be didn't use it?

[Fatbob]

Originally Posted by davil

posted the above because the locking pin shows quite a few threads free.
however, the spacer sounds better.

Davil,

Sorry, I should have mentioned....what looks like threads in the photos is actually a compressed spring that pushed the lock pin out once you press the center button. You're likely correct....spacer is the best solution.

Thanks,

Drew

[davil]

ah!
now makes sense.
alignment of those control lines is crucial, have a hard time with my unit with the lines slipping off until finally found the right angle.
Orion Jim always get it right.
You will enjoy it.
take care.David