Motor Linkage Positioning Question

[Loala]

Hi all.

Simple question here. I have my swim ladder on the inside of the aft port rudder on my 96’ X and am trying TOO hard not to step on the motor linkage. I want to move the linkage aft starboard. Any reason why I cannot do that? I read in my search that one person had a problem with steering accuracy or ratio but didn’t go into specifics. I’m wondering also if his issue was with all X’s r just his year? The distance from motor to rudder arm looks the same on each side so I’m thinking it should work but I thought I’d run it by the experts first.

So what do ya’ll think? What should I be looking out for?

Thanks!

[RickJ]

My linkage is already on the stbd side, so no problem with that. In fact I thought that was the normal way it was done.

You should be able to swing the linkage bar round and hook it onto the stbd rudder pivot (I guess you may need to take it off the motor and re-attach, it might not be able to just swing over). As you say, it's symmetrical.

Cheers, Rick

[Frank C]

Maybe yours was just the early design ... most X-boats have the motor link attached to the starboard rudder.

This picture is my model 2000, hard to discern, but the motor link bar attaches just above the drag-link.


This picture shows an earlier model w/the V-design drag-link ... still attaching motor to the starboard rudder.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

If you are worried about stepping on it, you may want to consider one of the "back porch" modifications listed on this site. I haven't had time to do it myself but it looks like it would solve that problem. Personally, I've gotten used to tip-toeing around my linkages, although the kids do tend to step on them quite a bit.

Here is a pic of one:



Do a search for the phrase "back porch" for more info.

[Loala]

Thanks guys!

Well it was an easy fix. I simply moved it to the other side. Looks like everything clears.

Next will be the hitch pin mod to make it a quick disconnect. Looks like 3/8" will be in order....