Recently finished installing the Raymarine Type I Linear Drive. Thanks again to Mike for the fine photos and details of his installation. I pretty much followed his lead with the Edson tiller arm. I had hoped to get something less expensive fabricated by a machine shop but the prices I was quoted were about the same or more.
The installation, as many have noted, is indeed tight. The Type I linear drive, extended to midstroke, is 27.5 inches. But you also need to figure in the mounting foot for the drive, which adds almost another three inches. To get a bit more room, with the rudder centered, the tiller arm from the rudder post can be angled slightly to port side. Coming off that at 90 degrees moves the mounting foot for the drive a bit further forward and you get some additional space that way. I had a machine shop drill out the holes in the Edson tiller arm, both for the bolt through the rudder post and the pin for the drive arm. I also had them drill a couple of small holes in the tiller arm for the rudder feedback sensor which I attached directly to the Edson tiller arm rather than the quadrant.
So far I am really happy with the system. Haven't had it out in much more than 15 knots, but it handles that effortlessly. And it is so quiet you honestly can't hear it working. I have a Raymarine wheel pilot that I will keep as a backup. Will be single handing the boat back to Maine from the Chesapeake shortly, and it's nice to have the new system in place.
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