I usta want one.
I have hydraulic steering so black tape on the right place on the helm is useless.
I have a three turns systen. At some point it occured to me that if I turned the helm all the way over either way and then instantly back 1.5 turns the rudder will be dead ahead. That's what I do when I want to back straight up or go straight ahead. And in a flash I can adjust for any rudder position.
The above works for me w 3 turns L to L but goes south fast w slower steering systems. And on a following sea when the sea grabs my stern (like the T grabs the P (couldn't resist)) and pushes me toward a broach just a half a turn at the helm and a serious jab at the throttle will get me smartly out of just about anything. And all the while my attention is not taken from my boat and the water.
Works for me. But still there are times I'd like a rudder pos indicator.
I've heard different comments about the value of a rudder position indicator.
I don't have one, so I'm clueless.
How valuable are they?
Can I assume they would be simple to install and relatively inexpensive?
When I park my car I always leave the wheels dead ahead. No surprises when I back up in a hurry.
I have one as part of my autopilot, but I never use it. If I am maneuvering in tight quarters I don't have time to look at a display I pay attention to my surroundings instead.
.................... I must say, there's certainly been a few times when I wish I knew where it was, especially docking. And there certainly isn't the time to swing the wheel and count turns.
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Ted