Monitor Windvane Wheel Adapter jury rig

[brianontheroad]

I bought an old monitor about a year ago and didn't realize that it came off a tiller boat...doh, I'm about to fit it to the back of the boat (last minute pre-cruise addition) and I definitely don't have $500 for the monitor wheel clutch, I do however have an old wheel adapter from an autopilot (old school belt style) mounted on the wheel......I was thinking as a temporary (until a used wheel adapter came up or I had the cash to buy a new one) measure I could rig it up as the wheel adapter by drilling two holes into it and attaching two lines to it, then when I wanted to engage the monitor, tie the lines to the steering lines on the vane, I know it's a sloppy solution, but I'm pretty sure it would work

any other suggestions/ thoughts?

Thanks!
Brian

[xsboats]

You need several wraps around the wheel adapter to provide enough friction for it to work. The ends need to be capable of being attached and detached to the control lines of the windvane quickly and easily. You also need a means of taking all of the slack out of the lines once attached. Parts from an old powerboat cable steering system may help you achieve this.

[sailingdog]

The one issue you may run into is how much friction is in your steering system. A wind vane is limited in the amount of turning power it can generate.