Rudder Indicator

[Extemporaneous]

Has anyone used a WEMA Rudder Indicator/Sensor and what did you think of it.
Wema English - Safety products
Is there something else you would recommend instead?

I'd be interested in your experience.
Extemp.

[highseas]

What do you use for an autopilot?Raymarine units have rudder indicator built right into display.

[Sandero]

My helm has the center helm marked and I can see the rudder position by noting where the center helm spoke is and known when there is too much weather helm because the rudder is more than a few degrees over.

Why do you need a precise angle and what do you do with that information.. other than perhaps reef or trim?

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by defjef

My helm has the center helm marked and I can see the rudder position by noting where the center helm spoke is

Hydraulic steering doesn't afford this luxury. A gauge is a good idea...

[Sandero]

Are you saying that the helm doesn't move when an autopilot steers? YIKES

[Extemporaneous]

I have mechanical steering in the cockpit and hydraulic steering in the pilothouse.
With hydraulic there is always some slip and so a rudder indicator would be very helpful.

Extemp.

[David M]

Originally Posted by defjef

Are you saying that the helm doesn't move when an autopilot steers? YIKES

Jeff, there are a number of different setups for steering systems.

I have a hydraulic steering system. The wheel does not move when the autopilot is in Pilot or Nav mode. The RAI's source is from a sender mounted to the steering arm. There is always some slippage in the hydraulic pump that is turned by the wheel, especially as the pump gets older.

[Pblais]

Having had problems recently the Raymarine Rudder indicator is basically a potentiometer. Like the volume control on a radio. At hard over it is low volume and all the other way it is loud. They calibrate the readout to be mid volume to indicate dead center. As the rudder post turns it adjusts the volume. Pretty simple but effective. The display is just a voltage reading.

I had a problem with mine and we proved the voltage coming back varied as expected and found the computer reading the voltage had the problem. Multiply the repair cost by 8.

[goboatingnow]

I ve used various WEMA gauges over the years, not bad kit. no problems