Monday, January 21, 2013

Steering Mechanism - Part 1

I moved the steering part from yesterday's blog post to this one for consistency and to match the title.


Working in Parallel.  I am always thinking ahead to the next project and surfing eBay for parts.  In the last week, I have purchased the 2 Teleflex steering cables.  One is 22' and the other is 15'.



Here is the 22' cable, which is for the port side,  dry fit on the rotary helm.    The 15' cable is in the mail.

I bought them from 2 different people and paid about $130 total, including shipping, which is about the cost of just the 15 foot one had I paid retail.












Both cables as well as the outboard cables, and wiring will all be run in the starboard berth area.






















I am now contemplating where to create a chase for all of that.  One option is to create a chase here and cover it with the new ceiling.






















The other option is under this sofit.  You can see where the existing wires run, but this will not be big enough for all of my electrical, since I will be also running large gauge wire from my battery to the electrical panel here as well.  This location might present a slight conflict with the new Bomar port light when I raise the "glass".











I have been contemplating my linkage from the steering cable to the rudder.  This past week I was rummaging through the stainless steel remnants/parts at Minney's.





I have no idea what these are, but I saw a possible steering arm for the rudder and the price was right $2.95 for the pair!

















My plan is to cut off the excess to the left of the arrow.  The flange at the bottom right of the picture, will be connected to the rudder.

The flange is not currently at 90 degrees, so it will need to be bent.











The portion to the right of the flange will fit through a slot that I will cut in the transom and will be connected to the steering cable linkage.

The thickness of the arm is a little thinner than what I imagined, but I think it has the right bends in it to reinforce it in the right places.








What do they say about the best laid plans?  Today I decided to dry fit the arm to the rudder.  Doh!  not long enough.

Oh well maybe I will find another use for these parts.












On to Plan "B".  This is a 2" piece of aluminum square tube that I initially was going to use before I found the other parts at Minneys.  I decided to use aluminum to make sure Plan "B" works and if it does, then I will use a piece of stainless steel tube.

Laid out the pattern.




















I was able to cut out the 2 arms from the same piece of square tube!













I am going to locate the steering arm vertically between the 2 hinges.  Now to mark the location of the slot.








I think that should do it.



Used a circular saw to cut out the initial slot.






















This shot is taken from the other side.  As you can see, the slot protrudes into the backing plate for the rudder, but it is in the middle of the backing plate, and does not go all the way through, so should be just fine.















To Be Continued.......

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