Direction indicator

[texasvet54]

Does anyone know of an add on system that gives a visual indication of what directon your outdrive/prop is facing? My wheel on my houseboat spins 5 times from full port to full starboard and since I'm new to piloting my 52' houseboat, it would be nice to know where I'm heading. I've gotten better in the short time that I've owned my boat, but I'm certainly not good at it yet, especially with a stiff wind. Also, I'm powered by a 260 hp Mercruiser with a Bravo I outdrive.

Thanks,
TexasVet

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Direction indicator

Here ya go! Right here at the iboats.com store:

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...**********.493109115--submit.x.43--submit.y.8

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Direction indicator

Here ya go! Right here at the iboats.com store:

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...**********.493109115--submit.x.43--submit.y.8

Thanks, I'll be ordering one today.

TexasVet

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Direction indicator

It's called a rudder position indicator. And on a 52' boat, I'm really surprised that it didn't come with one.

Center your outdrive and mount the sender to the steering mechanism. It will read off of the movement of the steering arm.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Direction indicator

Yep, no indicator and no depth finder either. I've already figured out that you never stop buying stuff for a boat.

Texasvet54

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Direction indicator

Yep, no indicator and no depth finder either. I've already figured out that you never stop buying stuff for a boat.

Texasvet54

Kinda like a house... Oh.

 

[blcmcck]

Re: Direction indicator

Thanks, I'll be ordering one today.

TexasVet

Do you have a flybridge? That type of rudder indicator will not work properly if you have dual helms. Per their web site "Suitable for boats with mechanical and single station hydraulic steering"

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Direction indicator

Do you have a flybridge? That type of rudder indicator will not work properly if you have dual helms. Per their web site "Suitable for boats with mechanical and single station hydraulic steering"

Hmmmmm, yep I have a flybridge but it looked to me like the device just tells you what your wheel position is which translates to what direction your outdrive is in. Since I have to pull into my slip from the lower deck, won't it be fine if I just keep it on my lower wheel?

 

[tractorboy]

Re: Direction indicator

Holy Sweetness! just what I was looking for!! This is why I just like to read through all posts. more than not your question can be answered! WOW!!
Says turns a full 30 deg with each revolution of the wheel.hub. So obviously its sort of a generic indicator but man..its something! Whoo Hoo. So this indicates the actual rudder pos? not direction of travel so to speak right? man....the electronic ones are oodles expensive.
Im always like where the hell am I. and now I have a dock this year......too cool. New boater too. but only a 20 footer.

 

[blcmcck]

Re: Direction indicator

Assuming you have hydraulic steering, once you steer from the flybridge the wheel position on the lower deck no longer reflects the direction your outdrive is pointing. Each wheel turns the outdrive independent from the other.
If you get a rudder indicator for the upper helm also and center the rudder each time before you change stations, ..., you will probably be ok.