Design and Instrumentation Considerations for the Steering Pedestal ( Binnacle )

The pedestal ( binnacle ) is designed to provide a location in the boat from which there is good visibility of the boat and its surroundings, and from which the major boat systems can be controlled. The pedestal is often integrated with a cockpit table. While we intend to have a cockpit table, the decision has not yet been made whether the pedestal and table are integrated into one unit. In fact, the present design calls for a pedestal and two separate supports for the table.

The pedestal will have a small wheel. The diameter of the wheel is such that it is possible to walk past it without the necessity to jump up onto the cockpit seats.

The intent is to provide a minimum of instrumentation at the pedestal because it is a very exposed location.

The binnacle will have

1. Steering wheel with hydraulic pump.

a. The hydraulic pump seems to require a rather large and heavy binnacle. One option to pursue is to mount the pump below the deck and connect to the wheel with a chain and sprocket system. ( or a toothed belt system )

2. Spirit compass.

3. Single lever manual engine control on the starboard side. There is no neutral ”detent”. We need to allow the electronic control system to move the lever arm through its full range of motion

4. Dashboard for

a. Steering and Engine Manual Mode ON/OFF switch

b. USB plug

c. Remote control device plug

d. Network plug

e. 24 vdc source plug.

f. Alarm buzzer

All these connectors can be mounted on a single, removable 10 x 10 cm plate.

5. Hydraulic selector switch and pressure sensor for mast hydraulics. The manual pump for the hydraulics will be in the wall of the cockpit locker.

6. One display for the following functions

a. Depth ( meters )

b. Boat speed ( through the water )

c. Relative wind speed

d. Relative Wind Direction.

This display fits into a 10 x 10 cm square. We page through the date with a pushbutton.

7. Handgrip

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Note: The Yanmar Engine control pod has been located on the aft port side wall of the pilothouse. There is a manual ON/OFF switch for the Yanmar engine in the interior wall of the cockpit locker. (This is in addition to the manual ON/OFF switch in the pilothouse )