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DIY Hard Link Project (Honda 9.9 four stroke)

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 01:08:15

Little note of warning. Tonight I prepared the boat for the weekend. When it came to removing the rudder I got a big suprise. My rudder extention arm hits the engine and I cannot put the rudder full starboard to remove it. I'm missing about 1 inch! On the port side can't do it either since it's hitting the swim ladder. How frustrating! So you guys that will attempt a Version 3 of this setup need to consider this.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 06/22/2007 01:08:46

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 05:55:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">/i]
 [quote][i]Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Steve nice job! Although I am disappointed that there is much more aluminum that stainless steel.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Randy

Next time I'm in your part of the country, I'd love to see your stainless mast! Probably cost you plenty!

Edited by - Turk on 06/22/2007 05:55:44

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 09:46:52

Turk, I'm surprised you can't see the reflection of the sun off my stainless steel mast across the country!

OK, aluminum is a fine marine metal. I stand corrected.

Still, can someone who is good with geometry tell me why all these links use extensions on the rudder? Why not mount the connection to the trailing edge on the rudder or even the side of the rudder near the trailing edge? Why the assumption that it has to be extended past the rudder?

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 11:16:34

Steve,
Can't you remove the tiller from the rudder in order to lift it off? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the problem? We always remove the tiller & store it inside the boat, and the rudder goes into the back of the truck. I've got a big wingnut on the tiller bolt to make it easier to do.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 12:03:22

David,

The tiller isn't the problem it's the rudder (yes I do remove the tiller). I have a generation 3 rudder which protrudes underneath the hull. So to remove the rudder I have to move is all the way starboard then up. If I had a different kind of rudder then I wouldn't have this problem I guess.

Randy,

I don't see why you couldn't use a shorter length on the extension arm (geometrically speaking) as long as your engine connection point is properly placed. In fact, I may have to do this myself. My problem is that I trailer often (to often) and have to remove the rudder and this mod isn't helping in this sense.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 12:40:54

Ah, OK, I didn't realize your rudder projected under the boat. Maybe a wingnut on one of the bolts connecting the aluminum L arm to the rudder so it can be pivoted up out of the way? After a bit of thought that probably wouldn't work either, unless you backed the other nut off enough for the L to be freed. Hmmm...maybe just two wingnuts so the L arm can be removed? You'd probably still want some sort of keeper to prevent the wingnuts from undoing themselves due to engine vibration. Maybe you could wire them to each other while it's on the boat, and cut the wire when you need to remove the rudder.

Just a bit of stream-of-thought while I was pondering it.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 15:09:21

YES! A wingnut on just 1 of the bolts holding the extention arm then pivot it up. I would place this wingnut on the opposite side of the arm. Pull the whole bolt and pivot. I'm glad you mentioned this idea, because I didn't think about it!

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 16:51:28

Mention me in your patent application...

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2007 : 00:58:47

Back from sailing with my new DIY hard link. I confirm that this is a wonderful mod. The boat launch had high winds coming straight at it with good waves. A power-boater was contemplating not even launching because of the conditions. Once off the trailer, I backed up the boat almost the whole way with great ease and control then a little kick forwards and docked like a pro. I couldn't believe the improvement on control I had. Made 3 other docking today and they were by far the easiest and best looking I have ever made. I really suggest linking your engine for anyone that use public launches, high traffic areas or just difficult docking situations.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 06/24/2007 01:02:56

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2007 : 07:08:23

Good news Steeve. Now that you are in the water, how about a full sea trial. So far you indicated you have 'backed up' and 'kicked fwd'. In order to qualify for your patent

can you confirm a whole bunch of manouvers.
Backup Hard to port
Backup Hard to stbd
Rapid change from hard to stbd to hard to port - forwards
ditto in reverse.

To finish the product in style, you might want to include

A label with a warning like 'Read the owners manual before use'
For the environmental caucaus, add another 'No anmials were harmed during development'
For the coast guard, add a dayglow lable "Warning! Stay back 50'"
For the less capable, add a pennant to the wingnut 'Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey'

You can use a dremel to etch 'patent pending'

Paul

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2007 : 01:07:08

Paul,

As far as I know this is V2 of your idea. So I'll leave you the glory of etching all those fancy labels and warnings.

However I couldn't do the "sea trial" being in a lake in the middle of Alberta. That's about as close to sea conditions as I'll get here.

The weather was pretty rough and when inspecting it later during the day everything looked good as new. I motored most of the day since it was so rough. Full starboard or port with the engine on idle turns the boat on a dime.

I'm really glad I did this mod and thank everyone who helped me during the process.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 06/25/2007 10:24:29

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