KR1-80 Rudder angle indicator

This clear and easy to see accessory for the Onwa KAP866 autopilot might seem like an unnecessary addition although possibly useful in mooring situations. After all – we can easily judge what angle the rudder is approximately and a piece of tape wound on the top of the wheel is enough to know when the rudder is centred. Well, that was my view until one of my customers, who has an Onwa Auto Pilot and is far from an ordinary leisure sailor as he crosses oceans, explained why he found the indicator so useful. Here’s what this very experienced sailor explained to me when I asked why he had told me that it made a huge difference:

“The main thing with the sail balancing is to get the boat moving with no rudder as this is resistance. Therefore, we get the boat on course, and I trim the sails until the boat is happy with little or no rudder. Depending on the conditions this could mean depowering or sheeting in the main. Our boat has a fair amount of weather helm so often means de-powering a bit but once all is balanced, we go faster and more efficient. So being able to see what the rudder is doing from afar makes life a lot easier.”

There you have it from someone with very considerable experience and who takes his sailing very seriously indeed. I can think of nothing further that can be added to my customer’s approval of this device.