How it works

When the yacht goes off course, the plywood vane through its connection linkage rotates the servo rudder from dead ahead. The water flow forces the servo rudder to one side pulling the tiller or wheel.

The servo rudder has only to pull the steering lines in order to steer. It does not steer the yacht directly.
The course is adjusted by pulling the course adjusting lines (called snaffle lines). These lines can be operated from inside the boat if desired.

Tiller steering

The movement of the steering lines is connected to the tiller by a simple clamp (bronze casting) into which fits a length of chain. This arrangement allows an instant engagement or disengagement of the gear as well as having an adjustment for weather helm. It is impossible to steer by hand with the gear working and an instant disengagement is essential.

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Taylorsoft
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Wheel drum kit

For wheel steering the wheel drum is required which clamps to the wheel spokes with U-bolts. The drum is made of hard anodized aluminum castings, incorporates a clutch and freewheel of two large gear rings operated by a handle on the face of the drum. This gives instant engagement or disengagement as well as a fine adjustment between the gear and the main helm. It is a pleasure to use. Supplied with 6 stainless steel U-bolts, pre stretched terylene lines and two blocks. About 40% of my customers have wheel Steering, mostly with center cockpit/aft cabin layout. The drum gives almost one full turn hard over to hard over (half a turn either side of dead ahead). Yachts with wheel steering can also use the emergency tiller instead of the wheel drum, leaving the wheel mechanism connected. However, it is important that the emergency tiller is reasonably easy to operate in this way and it must be in an accessible position from the cockpit in order to adjust for weather helm etc.

See the videos below