Superbly clear videos. Great bit of kit. I've built one and it performs faultlessly. Out performing my s2000 autohelm even whilst on shorter Coastal passage. Thanks for your help. Mike Sadler 34 'teleri'
Another excellent video, thank you for posting these. I’ve built it. I can’t get it to run smoothly. I’ve smoothed all the surfaces and done all the obvious stuff. The worm gear spindle/bearing surface is basically the threaded bolt that passes through it -into/through the 2mm stainless frame. It’s binding there I think. Also, what size and type of line are you using? The pulley wheel is super smooth Tufnell, the lines I’ve tried just slip on it (3 strand synthetic hemp for example). Very frustrating...
Hi, simple answer to the type of line, I used braided line, this will give better grip on the pulley, use either 4 or 5 millimetre diameter whichever fits the pulley best. As for the worm gear binding, all i can suggest is that you must make sure that it turns completely freely. I adjusted the height and alignment of the gears many many times before I was happy. As you can see on the video it should rotate with very little effort. Do not have the gears tightly meshed the only need to engage enough to work smoothly. I seem to remember that if fitted too close together they will bind at times. You can also test the lines without joining the ends to optimise the size and tension on them to get optimum results. I am sure that by small adjustments you will eventually get it right :) Maybe take some video of the worm gears and pulleys to show exactly what is happening?
I didn’t know that method for joining line end-to-end, thank you. A few years ago I replaced the continuous line on a Hydrovane using three-strand line and an end-to-end splice. Would that work here, do you think?
I am not sure to be honest. The 4 or 5mm lines were easy enough to fabricate as shown. I didn't have 3 strand thin enough to fit and used what was recommended.
The lines are pretty small, but as long as the splice is neat and runs through without snagging then whatever works for you is ok. These videos are only an indication of how I made mine.
Hi, tacking is dead easy just pull on the relevant side, mark the turret and head each side. This way you just pull the cord to line up the marks and deal with the headsail sheets. Simple!
@@iankfr Thanks for the reply. It sounds really good. i have been looking at self steering options and this seems like one of the most fun/cheapest ones (if you don't count time)
Thanks for all the time you have used to make all videos in this series. Very much appreciated.
Hakan Sagerkrans you are welcome 😀
This was wonderful thank you!
I am glad you found it useful 😁
Very nice videos and a lot of work, no doubt, thank you. Clear and helpful instructions/photography; I especially enjoyed your narration.
Hi Bill, thanks for the kind words and am glad you found the videos useful.
Superbly clear videos. Great bit of kit. I've built one and it performs faultlessly. Out performing my s2000 autohelm even whilst on shorter Coastal passage. Thanks for your help. Mike Sadler 34 'teleri'
Thanks for the kind words 👍👍😀😀
Great vids. Looks like it mite be a fun build .Peace and be safe out there. 🖒🙏
Coop W Glad you enjoyed them 😀
Another excellent video, thank you for posting these. I’ve built it. I can’t get it to run smoothly. I’ve smoothed all the surfaces and done all the obvious stuff. The worm gear spindle/bearing surface is basically the threaded bolt that passes through it -into/through the 2mm stainless frame. It’s binding there I think. Also, what size and type of line are you using? The pulley wheel is super smooth Tufnell, the lines I’ve tried just slip on it (3 strand synthetic hemp for example). Very frustrating...
Hi, simple answer to the type of line, I used braided line, this will give better grip on the pulley, use either 4 or 5 millimetre diameter whichever fits the pulley best. As for the worm gear binding, all i can suggest is that you must make sure that it turns completely freely. I adjusted the height and alignment of the gears many many times before I was happy. As you can see on the video it should rotate with very little effort. Do not have the gears tightly meshed the only need to engage enough to work smoothly. I seem to remember that if fitted too close together they will bind at times. You can also test the lines without joining the ends to optimise the size and tension on them to get optimum results. I am sure that by small adjustments you will eventually get it right :) Maybe take some video of the worm gears and pulleys to show exactly what is happening?
Thanks. Fair winds
Glad you enjoyed them and found them useful.
its almost as entertaining as Jack Hargreaves out of town.
Wow that's showing our age LOL glad you are finding the videos useful
great stuff
Thanks 🙂
I didn’t know that method for joining line end-to-end, thank you. A few years ago I replaced the continuous line on a Hydrovane using three-strand line and an end-to-end splice. Would that work here, do you think?
I am not sure to be honest. The 4 or 5mm lines were easy enough to fabricate as shown. I didn't have 3 strand thin enough to fit and used what was recommended.
The lines are pretty small, but as long as the splice is neat and runs through without snagging then whatever works for you is ok. These videos are only an indication of how I made mine.
I know i am a bit late to it but how do you find tacking with the remote control lines?
and all the best with sailing!!
Hi, tacking is dead easy just pull on the relevant side, mark the turret and head each side. This way you just pull the cord to line up the marks and deal with the headsail sheets. Simple!
@@iankfr Thanks for the reply. It sounds really good. i have been looking at self steering options and this seems like one of the most fun/cheapest ones (if you don't count time)
@samgoldwise3233 It certainly worked well for us 🙂