During my last sail before fall haul-out, I was playing with the configuration of the auto helm in relationship to the tiller handle angle and location in the cockpit. I had already installed the epoxy plug on the starboard cockpit seat the day earlier and wanted to be 100% about the height and placement of the auto helm arm and pin before drilling holes in the tiller. In a nice 9 knot sail, I was able to figure out the required height above the tiller handle using wooden block and a hose clamp. A temporary work around on a not so windy evening.
Last night and this afternoon, while my daughter was sleeping, I had just enough time to create the base for the auto helm tiller arm and pin. The base is made of 2, 1 foot length pieces of 2 X 4 cedar, epoxied together. The tiller arm and pin for the auto helm had to be 2 1/4 inches raised from the tiller handle in order to be installed parallel with the cockpit mounting location of the auto helm, hence the purpose of this arm base.
A groove was router'd to fit the width of the arm down the center of the base.
The ends were tapered upward towards the arm groove.
A little magic with the mitre saw and some sanding with the mouse sander returned a pretty decent looking base. I applied 2 coats of stain but didn't have time for the varnish.
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The result mounted
The result, up close.
Cost of project, 4.50$ for a 2 X 4 cull cedar board (this board was badly warped but still salvageable, apparently Home depot will sell you defective lumber for 50% off the sticker price), 8$ for 3ft of threaded SS 1/4" Rod (couldn't find 4" SS 1/4" bolts anywhere). Nuts and washers I had from another project. The tiller arm was fashioned from an existing piece of 1/8" X 1 1/4" X 12" SS given to me bykj another boater 2 years ago. The pin came with the auto helm.
Will complete the 5 coats of varnish next week after I return from 4 day of deer hunting.
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