steering in CD31

[len]

in my CD31 (wheel/quadrant steering) there is very slight but definite hesitation between first movement of wheel and the rest of the system - the cables are not bar tight but have very little deflection - ? others have this, ? thoughts/suggestions - thanks in advance

len
CD31 #49
hingham, ma



md.frel@nwh.org

[Patrick Turner]

I also have (or had I should say) a slight hesitation between the wheel turning and the rest of the quadrant/cable catching up. I tightened up the cable a bit to remove most of it. You do not want the cables bar tight - that will decrease sensitivity to the steering system and cause more stress to the sheaves then need be. It is a fine line between too tight and a little sloppy. When I had the system tightend so that all the "slop" was out it felt a little disconnected from the action of the boat. I cracked off about a half turn on each nut that secures the cable around the quadrant and it felt like a good compromise. While you're down there, have a look at the sheave pins to see if they are wearing a little thin.

Pat



patrick.t@attbi.com

[John Nuttall]

Len,
My 31 has a Merriman pedestal system. no noticable "slop", lines are taught, but bar tight either. Last trip under the cockpit sole found some loose nuts on the stops. Check them while you are at it.
Good Luck, let us know how it goes.
John
s/v Aimless
CD31 #28
Oriental, NC

[Ann and David Brownlee]

After buying our CD31 a couple of years ago, we sailed her for a few months before lubing the steering system sheaves. This made the feel much livelier, although I'm not sure we were having precisely the problem you describe.

Ann and David Brownlee
CD31 #1 "Windrush"
Havre de Grace, MD



dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu