Steering Wire Cable Replacement, YS and Edson

[Ralph Hewitt]

Need to get new steering cables for 1982 Ericson 38?
SIZE & LENGTH...?
and best place to buy?
Any tips on doing this? THANKS, as always

 

[Pete the Cat]

I am not sure if you have the Yacht Specialties binnacle and steering gear or the Edson brand. Edson is still in business and sells the cable repair kit. It is very important to make sure that you have the same cable ends for either brand as they have narrow clearances, but I think a rigger could make a new one for you from the old one. I am sure there is a Youtube video on the process of removing and reinstalling the system. It is not difficult, but requires some patience and care. I would be interested in what is leading you to replace them.
Generally, with the binnacle open at the top, you remove the cable bolts on the quadrant. Attach messenger lines to each and pull the chain and attached cables straight up and out. Once out, you put the new cables in place and reverse the process with the messenger lines. The cables and turning blocks should be lubricated periodically and tightened. Not bar tight but snugs so there is no play in the wheel to rudder connection. FWIW. If maintained, cables will last a long time. While you havef the whole thing apart, consider servicing the wheel brake. This brake will save your steering system from moving and wear when on a mooring or at anchor.

 

[Christian Williams]

We have a good recent upload for YS gear (although YS long out of business).

Ad or Brochure - Yacht Specalities Catalog 4

Yacht Specialties Catalog 4

ericsonyachts.org

Note that the connection of the wire to the chain inside the pedestal uses a special fitting (diagram below) . An eye doesn't work there because it's too big for the space and the cables bind. The actual length of the wire to the quadrant isn't critical, because you can make the connection to the quadrant with a loop and cable clamps, and just cut off excess wire.

But as Pete says, the original cable is pretty robust, is yours damaged?


...

 

[Ralph Hewitt]

I am not sure if you have the Yacht Specialties binnacle and steering gear or the Edson brand. Edson is still in business and sells the cable repair kit. It is very important to make sure that you have the same cable ends for either brand as they have narrow clearances, but I think a rigger could make a new one for you from the old one. I am sure there is a Youtube video on the process of removing and reinstalling the system. It is not difficult, but requires some patience and care. I would be interested in what is leading you to replace them.
Generally, with the binnacle open at the top, you remove the cable bolts on the quadrant. Attach messenger lines to each and pull the chain and attached cables straight up and out. Once out, you put the new cables in place and reverse the process with the messenger lines. The cables and turning blocks should be lubricated periodically and tightened. Not bar tight but snugs so there is no play in the wheel to rudder connection. FWIW. If maintained, cables will last a long time. While you havef the whole thing apart, consider servicing the wheel brake. This brake will save your steering system from moving and wear when on a mooring or at anchor.

Thanks...NO Riggers in Nicaragua! Great Tips.

I'm 84 and doing what I can with my Sea Scouts.

 

[Nick J]

If the yacht specialties part is no longer available and the Edson part doesn't fit, what are the other options? Dyneema with eye splices going through the chain pin?

 

[David Vaughn]

Replaced the chain and cables last fall, on my E31.
The original (as far as I know) YS chain had the size stamped on some of the links. On my boat, there was enough cable length to pull the chain partially out of the binnacle and measure it for length. Using that info, and info from the catalog Christian posted, I was able to choose the proper Edson chain-wire kit from their website.
Because of limited access to the cable sheaves, measuring the original cable length was a bit of a guess, but I just ordered slightly longer than I thought I needed and cut off the excess.
The Edson part fit perfectly. It's not cheap, but with proper maintenance it will probably outlast me.

 

[southofvictor]

Reviving this thread after finding a “meat hook” while lubing my cables. Is this a
sign to replace them? Found a single strand sticking out of the port side cable close to the end where it attaches to the radial drive wheel. You can see it just above the bolt in this pic (they clear each other ok despite what the photo looks like). Other than that the cables look to be in good shape.

 

[Christian Williams]

I wouldn't, if just a few. It's not a strength thing, in my book anyway.

 

[Pete the Cat]

I think you will find that the replacement cables will develop tiny meathooks (bigger ones concentrated in one area, can indicate a problem) almost immediately after installation. A more important, and oft overlooked, maintenance item in steering gear is the care and use of the wheel brake. If the wheel is left unlocked, particularly on a mooring or at anchor, the rudder will be working the cable and sheaves constantly--even if it is not really noticeable. Things get loose and work more. And then the cable can develop actual weakness at a point, sheave bearings get sloppy, and you can see a collection of meat hooks at one point, etc. I have never actually heard of a cable breaking, but I have seen situations where it was difficult to get things tensioned so that the gear would move properly in both directions because of wear in a slack system.

 

[southofvictor]

Thanks for the input on the cables guys. I replaced the brake last year it was shot when we got the boat. It makes a big difference to be able to lock it effectively at anchor or on the dock.

 

[ConchyDug]

This kit has me interested in dumping the cable and going with dyneema. Pretty simple to carry a spool of dyneema for field repairs. Anybody went this route yet? Addressing all chafe points would be step one but beyond that it seems superior. Also the initial setting of the splices as dyneema settles some after splicing will be another consideration.

Dyneema and Chain Kit

Edson is a manufacturer of marine products for both power boats and sailboats in the United States since 1859. We offer a range of high quality marine products like marine steering systems, sailboat and power boat steering wheels, diaphragm bilge pumps, electronics mounting systems, davits, and...

edsonmarine.com

 

[Frank Langer]

This kit has me interested in dumping the cable and going with dyneema. Pretty simple to carry a spool of dyneema for field repairs. Anybody went this route yet? Addressing all chafe points would be step one but beyond that it seems superior. Also the initial setting of the splices as dyneema settles some after splicing will be another consideration.

Dyneema and Chain Kit

Edson is a manufacturer of marine products for both power boats and sailboats in the United States since 1859. We offer a range of high quality marine products like marine steering systems, sailboat and power boat steering wheels, diaphragm bilge pumps, electronics mounting systems, davits, and...

edsonmarine.com

The area of the quadrant where the cable rides does not look smooth on my boat, so I would be concerned about chafe if using dyneema. Just thinking....
Frank

 

[ConchyDug]

Agreed chafe has to be prevented. In the install instructions they suggest smoothing/polishing the surfaces it will ride on. I've heard more modern boats use carbon quadrants and this eliminates chafing. Heck funny story I've used 3mm dyneema for trapeze lines and the thing that failed was the stainless wire ring the hook rides on not the dyneema.... caused an immediate backflip holding the telescoping tiller.

 

[G Kiba]

How about a using covered dyneema line in addition to smoothing things out? There are some quality dingy lines with dyneema cores that may even help grip better. Just a thought. I am glad I have a tiller! I have replaced cables on another persons boat. Pretty cramped. And I am a 5'2" yoga practitioner.

 

[Filkee]

I removed the remains (after perfecting my emergency tiller technique) and brought the bits to my rigger and he took it from there. There was yoga but it all worked out.