Steering lock?

[Sunsetrider]

I've now had the opportunity to spend some time single-handing the Manatee around the 1000 Islands and it has gone well except for one major headache: the inability to leave the helm to attend to other matters while underway. Installing a full blown autopilot system would be inappropriate from a cost perspective, but surely others must have figured out a way to stroll from the helm without coming to a full stop mid-passage. Any suggestions?

[eseyoung]

well there is always the old bungee cord to an I-bolt.

A wheel drive autopilot isn't THAT expensive. I think i have seen complete setups for ~$1300. I have one in my 27...its an older model so it doesn't integrate into my chart plotter but it does steer the boat.

[RobS]

A used autopilot setup off of a boat undergoing an upgrade would be worth keeping your eye out for.

[Sunsetrider]

Thanks for the replies.
$1300 however is more than 20% of the cost of the boat. Which in some ways is a very good thing!
Makes sense to keep an eye out for used, somehow.
I'll have to figure out the most secure spot to clip the bungee to.

[DougSea]

What kind of helm (wheel hub) does she have? Is there any kind of adjustment or tension screw? Hydraulic or cable steering? On my single engine outboard boats with teleflex steering the wheel had a NFB (No Feed Back) hub that would help prevent engine torque from turning the wheel.

http://www.seastarsolutions.com/product ... -steering/

[Sunsetrider]

What kind of helm (wheel hub) does she have? Is there any kind of adjustment or tension screw? Hydraulic or cable steering? On my single engine outboard boats with teleflex steering the wheel had a NFB (No Feed Back) hub that would help prevent engine torque from turning the wheel.

It is a single cable system (inboard engine) - not on a pedestal - and the wheel moves quite freely. I can't rely on it to stay in position on its own. No adjustment or tension crew such as you find on a pedestal wheel sailboat.

[DougSea]

You might be able to retrofit a different steering hub without changing the whole steering system. Worth taking a look at. The NFB hubs are designed to only let the cable move as a result of steering wheel movement, not engine (or, in your case, rudder) torque.

[Sunsetrider]

Worth looking into for sure but that is one odd website for navigating.

[RobS]

.... that is one odd website for navigating.

Ditto! It is a miserable website to navigate, I'd prefer to navigate heavy seas or dense fog !!
I had spent some time on that site when I replaced my steering cylinder and when I installed auto-pilot...