John,

Thanks for your reply.  Not so much alarm as concern.  I’m now certain after close attention and detail inspection inside and outside that noise is from slight slipping movement of timber pads especially the new lower teak pads placed with the installation of the “A” bracket.  There is no indication of progressive deterioration and actually on some points of sail the noise has diminished.  No leaks or stress indications and the pads are on the strong thick-cored transom section not in the middle where there is no core – just thick fiberglass.  Masons need “A” brackets always- I can detail the construction to you later.

I am pleased with the Hydrovane performance especially since we have a gale working off Pt. Arguellas, California and the autopilot flux gate compass appears to have crashed deactivating the autopilot.  This is why I bought the Hydrovane and it took no time at all to prove my decision correct.  I have done so in the past and would hate to find myself be hand-steering in these conditions again.

The installation does look good and I will be sending some hi-resolution photos later.  You should not recommend xxxxxxxx in Alameda for your installations.  The work looks good but it seems to me they would have used 5200 along with the bolts to secure the pads in place and the “E” bracket was thoughtlessly put on obviously thinner transom material without a second thought.

Best Regards,

Mike Pitts

s/y Silverthorne