Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

[JoLin]

Much as it pains me to admit it, backing down in a crowded area at low speed in windy conditions can be a bear. After a couple of maneuvers I can lose track of where the oudrives are pointed. Net-net, on final approach, when I want to maneuver strictly by throttle and gearshift, it's easy to get thrown off if the drives aren't pointed directly astern.

This unit looks like a simple and cheap crutch, but I've read mixed reviews... do they go out of adjustment easily? Is anyone here using one?

Thanks!

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

I have the same problem. Wil be interesting to hear from someone who is actually using one.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

I have the same problem. Wil be interesting to hear from someone who is actually using one.

I've read that they don't stay accurate and need to be repositioned from time to time. If I don't get any good feedback here, I plan to buy one anyway and mount it to the steering hub with Velcro instead of the permanent adhesive. iboats carries 'em.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

I've had one for 28 years and wouldn't be without one.

The center cap of my wheel comes off easy to remove the mounting bolt. It can be rotated any way you want. I permanently affixed it to the cap, so if needed it can be adjusted in 2 seconds. The last time I moved it was years ago, and as I recall it was my fault then because I bumped it.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

I have wanted a devise like this since I started boating. Didn`t know any such thing existed until now. May have to get one to try.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

I've had one for 28 years and wouldn't be without one.

The center cap of my wheel comes off easy to remove the mounting bolt. It can be rotated any way you want. I permanently affixed it to the cap, so if needed it can be adjusted in 2 seconds. The last time I moved it was years ago, and as I recall it was my fault then because I bumped it.

Did you mean that the position of the needle has to be adjusted periodically?

 

[JoLin]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

Did you mean that the position of the needle has to be adjusted periodically?

The needle isn't adjustable, dawg. You need to swivel the entire unit from side to side to 're-center' the needle.

I think JimS is saying that his indicator is permanently mounted to the steering wheel's center cap, and he pops the cap off and repositions it when/if the indicator gets out of alignment. I'll look at that method, too.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

The needle isn't adjustable, dawg. You need to swivel the entire unit from side to side to 're-center' the needle.

I think JimS is saying that his indicator is permanently mounted to the steering wheel's center cap, and he pops the cap off and repositions it when/if the indicator gets out of alignment. I'll look at that method, too.

Yes, you decoded my poor explanation perfectly.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

Thank you both, for the explanation and the decoding. I think I may take a trip down to our local West Marine as I have been looking for something to use my coupons on.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

I've never used that type (fastens to the wheel hub), but have used other types of rudder position indicators all my life, they are a big help (and not at all a 'crutch' for inexperience). Even if occationally not dead on it lets you know where things are at a glance without having to spin the wheel lock to lock or drop an engine in gear.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

Thanks, Ned- yeah, I don't need it to be dead accurate, I just need to know that I'm not a full turn of the wheel off center. Things happen very quickly by the time I'm making those final adjustments, and go a lot better if I keep my hands off the wheel and maneuver strictly by 'thrust'.

Fooling with the wheel at that point eats up seconds that I don't have. I'm definitely going to buy one.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

I use one all the time. Mine is set by the position of the rudders (in the aft bilge) and is easily adjustable, although in 10 years, it's never needed to be adjusted.

It's a great tool. You can tell at a quick glance that the rudder is properly positioned priot to backing down into a slip or docking.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Davis Rudder Position Indicator - Anyone Using One?

Fireman, Yep, that's the kind I'm used to, there is a sender on the rudder linkage in the lazarette.