Monitor Manual

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2 Description of the Monitor

2.6 Vane Frame and Hull Attachments

The MONITOR vane frame (58) forms a very strong, integrated unit. The pendulum lines are normally led through the "legs" of the frame. The pendulum lines are attached 18" away from the pivoting point. This gives the MONITOR a powerful one-to-one purchase. Other vanes with shorter pendulum arms routinely have to have a complicated block arrangement in order to achieve the required line movement when the boat is wheel steered. 

The MONITOR method offers simplicity and great strength. The frame is attached to the hull by means of two larger upper tubes (89), which slide into sockets on the frame, and two lower tubes (88), which attach to the bottom of the frame legs through end fittings (82). The tubes are fitted with U-shaped brackets (83) at their ends for through bolting to the hull. Each bracket is attached 
with two bolts. The MONITOR four-point attachment is universally adaptable to all kinds of stern configurations. It is the easiest and strongest attachment of any vane gear of this kind, and the four attachment points distribute the load on the boat. This strength makes possible the use of the optional Emergency Rudder (MRUD) discussed later in this Manual. (See paragraph 7.) 

Same-side diagonal tubes are often added on boats requiring extra-long mounting tubes. Boats with outboard rudders or reverse transom boats with extreme rake are such boats. The diagonals will form triangulation and the mounting will be extremely strong. The diagonal struts are normally fastened to the existing bolts on the U-brackets. No extra drilling should be necessary.

If the MONITOR has to be removed, only the four bolts holding the mounting tubes to the U-shaped brackets have to be removed. The MONITOR mounting system also offers another a bonus feature – it will also serve as an emergency swim ladder. As long as you can get to the back of the boat, you should be able to use the water paddle and the mounting system to climb back on board.

Next >> 3.1 Attaching the Frame