Steering system friction

[Dreamcatcher]

At the end of last season, I replaced the steering system on my X. The old cable had developed so much friction that I was afraid it would break before I got home from the last trip. Now the steering is so light that it is impossible to let go of the wheel for more than a few seconds. The weight of the motor is enough to cock the rack all the way over. Is there any way to add some friction to the system?

[Tomfoolery]

The OB should have an adjustable steering friction screw somewhere. Look for a screw, probably with a hex head, that's partially out and has a spring on it. Maybe. Or something like that. It would be some place on the housing that surrounds the hinge pin.

I don't know what OB you have (you should stick that in your location line), but I posted a photo of the Honda BF50 screw (I think) some time back, but I'm not at the computer with those photos on it, so can't repost it right now. But all OB's, AFAIK, have something similar.

If it were me, and this is what I did, I'd put a steering disconnect on the OB, and set some small friction on the OB shaft, so sailing has nearly zero friction, and the OB when attached will hold attitude a little better than nothing, but not too much, as I like light steering even with the OB attached. Mine will flop to one side when disconnected, but that's what the stationary connection is for when the OB is disconnected from the steering system.

[DaveC426913]

I must be doing something wrong. You don't like zero friction on the wheel?
Is this when sailing or motoring?

I wanted to install a OB disconnect, but I wanted to ensure I could operate it both ways from the helm. No way I want to be foolin' around on my hands & knees at the stern when going sail>motor or motor>sail.

I did design a mechanism to do so but I chickened out when I realized I'd have to file down some important parts to get it installed.

[Dreamcatcher]

I sail singlehanded almost all the time. This means having to take your hands off the helm when doing all the other things involved in sailing. For example, when tacking, it would be nice to have the wheel stay where I put it while I haul the jib into position and not find the boat pointing 90 degrees or more away from my intended direction. Having to correct the overcorrection, or having the boat slip back into irons every time I tack takes a lot of the fun out of sailing.

[Phil M]

If you single hand then you need an autopilot. If mine broke down I would have to buy another one, probably from Raymarine again. Now that I have one, I could not Sail Without It.
Yes, they are expensive and rather difficult to install, but a poor man's autopilot is a bungee chord.

[DaveC426913]

I sail singlehanded almost all the time. This means having to take your hands off the helm when doing all the other things involved in sailing. For example, when tacking, it would be nice to have the wheel stay where I put it while I haul the jib into position and not find the boat pointing 90 degrees or more away from my intended direction.

I single-hand almost all the time too.

My "auto-pilot" is a bungie around the wheel with a quick-release hook.

By far, the best single-handing addition I made was to add these EZ cleats:
http://s151.photobucket.com/user/Matt19 ... 0.jpg.html
Check em out. You'll never use a winch again.

[dlandersson]

Ditto

I sail singlehanded almost all the time. This means having to take your hands off the helm when doing all the other things involved in sailing. For example, when tacking, it would be nice to have the wheel stay where I put it while I haul the jib into position and not find the boat pointing 90 degrees or more away from my intended direction.

I single-hand almost all the time too.

My "auto-pilot" is a bungie around the wheel with a quick-release hook.

By far, the best single-handing addition I made was to add these EZ cleats:
http://s151.photobucket.com/user/Matt19 ... 0.jpg.html
Check em out. You'll never use a winch again.