It's the fifth Year working on the Bleu Moon, finally got around to the Robertson Linear Drive Auto Pilot. The PO had the boatyard fabricate a mount to the Starboard side of the hull. The mount is quite robust, but the Auto Pilot ram was only connected to the Quadrant via a drive pin into a drilled clearance hole. However many lock nuts and lock washers, it would always ultimately come loose each season, enlarging the clearance hole for the drive pin, exasperating the problem. Remounting the Auto Pilot was not an option I wanted to entertain, instead I decided to focus on beefing up the Drive Pin Quadrant connection. I used 3/8 x 2" Steel Bar Stock from HD, with 4 coats rustoleum paint, drilled and tapped bar stock for the Drive pin 12mmm x 1,75 thread size, lock nuts top and bottom, added two clearance holes for 3/8 SS Bolts and bolted to the Quadrant. Rock Solid Now. Not rocket science, but took a long while to figure out the best fix and engineer the final length of bar stock. Final measurement was 7" L x 2"W and had to clear Linear drive ram when hard over on the wheel. I fabricated with Ryobi Bench Top Drill Press and Harbor Freight Tap and Die Kit. If there is a corrosion issue, I have a template and can use maybe 304 SS next time. Drive pin is in the same location as it was previously. Planning a trip Downeast this summer !
Attachments: |
thumbnail (2).jpg [ 24.07 KB | Viewed 0 times ]
|
_________________ Todd McCarthy S/V Bleu Moon Hull #439
|