catamaran steering systems

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by SPJ yachts, Feb 27, 2007.

  1. SPJ yachts
    Joined: Feb 2007
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    Location: Queensland Australia

    SPJ yachts Junior Member

    Here are some pics of the system with intergrated components.
    SPJ Yachts
     

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  2. bax
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    bax Junior Member

    Re Catamaran Steering System Pics

    SPJ,
    Hey great shots. How do you connect to the rudders? Do they kick up, if so how about some shots of theose as well? Not to be a pain, but how about a short narrative for those of us slow on the uptake?
     
  3. SPJ yachts
    Joined: Feb 2007
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    Location: Queensland Australia

    SPJ yachts Junior Member

    Cat steering

    bax
    The rudders are connected via push pull cables as you can see in the pics inside the saloon door and in the engine room (see new pic).
    The boat that you see here has conventional rudders but will work with kick up as well.

    Steering systems for catamarans has been, as far as i've been building them a choice between a multitude of cables with as many blocks or hydrolics and the ever present LINK BAR with little or no feed back with 3-4turns lock to lock.

    Pxxxxx off with all this and not being able to get a solution from any supplier I decided to develop my own system
    It seemed that there must be a way, and as it turned out a relitivly simple one.
    Using the correct components manufactured from materials conducive to the marine enviroment, and longevity of the parts with easy maintance and installation are the key.
    Tests to date have proven the system has passed all expectations and the pending sea trials will hopefully be as pleasing.

    SPJ Yachts
     

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  4. northerncat
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    northerncat Senior Member

    what sort of price are you looking at, as you can purchase a dual output morse system( no need for link bar either) for around 800$ and these are rated for up to 150 hp while still giving you feedback
    sean
     
  5. SPJ yachts
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    SPJ yachts Junior Member

    northcat
    If you have a power boat im sure this will be fine.
    SPJ yachts
     
  6. northerncat
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    northerncat Senior Member

    these are what a lot of the cats i have seen are steered with including the easy i am building, you can go even cheaper (280) if you use a connecting bar and just attach the end of the morse cable to one of the tillers, they are very easy to install can be replaced anywhere in the world and give you good feedback, i am interested in your system as i have not yet decided whether to go this way or hydraulic and so naturally am interested in a rough price

    sean
     

  7. SPJ yachts
    Joined: Feb 2007
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    SPJ yachts Junior Member

    Sean
    As far as i know morse stopped manufacturing thier hevy duty p/p cable.
    the steeing head may be a worm drive and the auto pilot will have to conected to one quyadrant and, transfers movement to the other via link bar or through p/p or cables /sheeves, result one rudder lags because of delays in cable tention or conex points.
    Pilot works harder and draws more current, more drain on power supply and so on.
    you will also have 2-3 turns lock to lock as with hydrolics or conventional systems.

    As mentioned final testing of the system will be complete in a few weeks.
    Price for my kit will be available after this, it will be comparable to hydrolic systems but with featurers unavailable with other systems
    SPJ Yachts
     
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