Wheel steering pedestal removal and replacement project

[Jim Walsh]

The process continues. I delivered my chain and cables to Rigging Only. I asked that the cables be replaced and that the rigger assess the condition of my chain. He see's more steering chains and cables in a week than I've seen in my lifetime and I value his opinion. The following morning I received a phone call informing me that the cost of the replacement cables was $49.00 and the chain was reused as it was in fine condition. It was overnighted to my home.
The pedestal was being sanded last Friday so steady progress is being made toward the day I can begin reassembly.....not that I'm looking forward to folding myself up under the cockpit, but it would be nice to get everything installed before the bitter weather arrives.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Jim:

I know you take a lot of photos.

I assume the photo above was taken "after" cleaning/soaking with xylene. Any chance you have a "before" photo of the chain and cable

If not, could you please dirty up the chain and cable to look like they did before treatment with xylene.

Thanks

[Jim Walsh]

Sorry Roberto. I didn't take a photo of the chain and cables "before". My hands were way to greasy to touch my camera.
I can't bring myself to "dirty up" the cables just to satisfy your curiosity

[Frenchy]

If anyone is interested in a used pedestal, I came across this in the Boston craiglist. It's a marine salvage yard in Quincy, Mass. The reply is : vqpvc-5881534631@sale.craigslist.org.

[moctrams]

Have you seen this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Edson-Sailboat- ... 33c157c119

[Jim Walsh]

The process continues;
Santa stopped by a little early! How he got a pedestal down the chimney I'll never know.
It's way too cold to consider beginning the reinstallation process. If the weather moderates I'll start the process but I may have to wait till spring.

[Sea Hunt Video]

The process continues; It's way too cold to consider beginning the reinstallation process. If the weather moderates I'll start the process but I may have to wait till spring.

Sadly, here in South Florida we managed to achieve a record high temp for this date - 87 degrees Fahrenheit. The previous record was 86 degrees set in the year 1900 That is not a typo. It has been a record for 116 years

[Keith]

Jim,

Did you have it wet painted or powder coated?

Keith

[Jim Walsh]

Jim,

Did you have it wet painted or powder coated?

Keith

I wanted it done right so I had the pro in the marina do it. It was sanded, primed, and two sprayed coats of AwlCraft "Snow White" applied.

[Skylark]

Have you thought about tiller steering? Wheel steering hardware is such a Rude Goldberg machine on every boat. Wish I had and may still go that way on my CD 36.

[tjr818]

Have you thought about tiller steering? Wheel steering hardware is such a Rude Goldberg machine on every boat. Wish I had and may still go that way on my CD 36.

I have always preferred the tiller, however the tiller on our 27 takes up the entire cockpit I can reach the cabin top winch and halyard clutch while still holding onto the tiller. That may seem like an advantage when single handing, but for a day sail it is a pain in the knees.

[Jim Walsh]

Have you thought about tiller steering? Wheel steering hardware is such a Rude Goldberg machine on every boat. Wish I had and may still go that way on my CD 36.

It's just a matter of personal choice. I've owned tiller steered yachts and at this juncture in my life I prefer wheel steering. Describing them as "Rube Goldberg" affairs seems a bit harsh when you consider the paucity of reports of failure.
Yacht Specialties clearly had casting issues in the base casting of an unknown number of their pedestals. Our past Commodore, Mike Connell, is also the owner of a CD31 which had corrosion issues with a Yacht Specialties pedestal. He was lucky to have been able to effect a repair. My pedestal was beyond repair.
A properly designed and installed tiller is rugged and simple. A properly designed and installed pedestal steering unit clearly has more components and the "opportunity" for failure, but the current state of design and construction has made the failure incidence rate infinitesimally small.
Had I been entertaining the thought of converting to tiller steering this would certainly have been a strategic opportunity to do so.

[John Stone]

Excellent work Jim.

Have you written about your winter cover before? What is it like? How is it constructed? Are you happy with it! Got any pictures?

[Jim Walsh]

Excellent work Jim.

Have you written about your winter cover before? What is it like? How is it constructed? Are you happy with it! Got any pictures?

It's a Fairclough cover I've had since 2011. I'm very happy with it. I have an athwartships zipper which effectively breaks it into two sections so I can relatively easily lay the cover in place after I've assembled the frame. I always do it myself so it would be a snap for two to do. When disassembled the whole thing fits in my Outback so transporting it is no big hassle. Once its in place it hugs the hull. The lines which go under the hull are just tight enough to remove slack, not bar tight. I have a zippered door on the starboard side right where my boarding gate is in the lifelines so access is easy. I had the stern section made to fit around my wind vane like a glove. It is completely waterproof and is light inside as you can see from my earlier photos. I have six screened cowl vents so I've never had any mildew issues. I wanted the hull protected right down to the waterline but they can customize a cover to make it any length. They also have covers for those who leave their masts in place and their boats in the water.

[John Stone]

Wow! That's the nicest cover I have ever seen!