I was wondering if anyone had ever added an extension to a ram. The stock length of the ram is a little short for the steering mechanism on my 340 hunter.
B&g linear ram to-1
- Thread starter HD74
- Start date
You can move the base attachment point by changing where it’s mounted. Extending the ram is complicated.
The ram must be connected with the steering arm or quadrant at a 90-degree angle at midpoint of the ram’s travel when the rudder is aligned to boat centerline.
You need to do the calculations to determine if what you’re considering is right for your boat. If you extend the ram and it is no longer at 90-degrees to the rudder post at midpoint of travel it will not be able to steer to one side as much as to the other. If you change the radius from the attachment point of the ram to the rudder post it will also change the steering limits - make the radius longer and the steering limits (in degrees) will decrease, or make it shorter and it will increase.
Also, consider the max force of the ram can probably approach 1000 pounds, so whatever you do must be sturdy. Consult the installation manual for your ram.
The ram must be connected with the steering arm or quadrant at a 90-degree angle at midpoint of the ram’s travel when the rudder is aligned to boat centerline.
You need to do the calculations to determine if what you’re considering is right for your boat. If you extend the ram and it is no longer at 90-degrees to the rudder post at midpoint of travel it will not be able to steer to one side as much as to the other. If you change the radius from the attachment point of the ram to the rudder post it will also change the steering limits - make the radius longer and the steering limits (in degrees) will decrease, or make it shorter and it will increase.
Also, consider the max force of the ram can probably approach 1000 pounds, so whatever you do must be sturdy. Consult the installation manual for your ram.
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One other thing - you need to make sure the ram's travel is limited before it reaches the end of its in/out travel by the rudder stop limits of the steering system. If the steering system is imited by the in/out limits of the ram it may damage the ram.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,261
The ram, the Steering Stops, the hold downs for the ram motor/hydraulics, and the steering shaft tiller... There is a lot of stuff connected and dependent on other parts of the system.
What was the saying... "Failure, gentlemen, is Not an Option."