Tips and Suggestions for rudder linkage

[indymike]

The part I hate most!!!!

I will preface my question by first making a statement. I prefer to have a straight linkage from the servo to the rudder steering arm (no bends at all). However, these little boats are shallow at the transom and some mount the servo along a support frame. It seems I struggle most when I need to put a bend or several bends into my rudder linkage to get everything lined up. It ends up looking like a pretzel when I am finished.

What tips and suggestions do you guys have to get everything lined up for a smooth operating steering linkage?

Best regards
Mike

[NativePaul]

If you cant get the linkage straight a pull pull cable linkage is every bit as slop free as a straight rod but if you pull the cables through tubes you can bend the tubes around any obstructions until it looks like spaghetti and it will remain slop free.

[Dr. Jet]

Try a different position for the servo. Try placing it on its side, or angling it in some manner. Locating the servo arm on a different side sometimes helps. On a couple of my hulls the servo is at 45º to the horizontal and the servo arm is facing "down" which puts the pushrod very close to the bottom of the hull.

When using a single pushrod (as opposed to pull-pull), I like to have it in tension (pulling) when turning right.

[Gerwin Brommer]

Mike,

Which hull are we talking about now ?
Anyone in particular ?

[indymike]

Gerwin,

I was speaking sport hydros in generalities, but for my specific application I am setting up a Vac-U-Pickle right now.

Dr. Jet,

I was thinking of setting up my own location for the servo rather than using the "recommended" location, which could make life easier. However, I am then stuck making a mount now. I guess that you gotta give a little to get a little...

[Dwyer]

As the Dr. says - there is more than 1 way to skin a cat. In this example the rod is mounted on the inside of the horn.

Edit: can't get the pic to upload - sorry.

[indymike]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I figured out a way to have a straight push rod as I prefer.

Mike

[Simon.O.]

When using a single pushrod (as opposed to pull-pull), I like to have it in tension (pulling) when turning right.

That is the preferred method here too.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I figured out a way to have a straight push rod as I prefer.

I understand that we all run a push rod from time to time.
As long as a single rod is in tension for the RH pull then all is good.

I run cables and solid rods and always go fo a "pull to the right"