Helm Problems

[cavanman58]

I have a 98X and we have changed the cable one time with boat used lightly during last five years. Current cable is adjusted as best can be but there is a fair mount of "play" in the helm. I believe there must be some option we can explore to improve performance of the helm and am seeking advice please. Basically, the helm is sloppy and when wind is more than 12mph it is frustrating and difficult to sail. We have considered hydraulic but prefer not. Thanks in advance.

[K9Kampers]

You are likely experiencing wear of the gear teeth of the steering mechanism inside the helm. My 2001 had a similar play at the wheel that got worse over time. The original steering was rack & pinion and two years ago I changed it over to a rotary system. Night and day difference of the instant response with the new system.

[cavanman58]

Thank you. It is rack and pinion. How did you change to rotary?

[K9Kampers]

Changing from R&P to rotary is as simple as removing the old system and installing the new one. IIRC, I only had to modify the hole for the steering shaft a little to accommodate the new mounting bracket. The rotary unit takes up less space inside the helm allowing more room for other mods if needed.

[cavanman58]

Thank you. Where do I purchase this system?

[K9Kampers]

My post on the topic from two years ago...

I just replaced my original 14 year old rack steering with a new Teleflex SS137 Safe-T QC rotary system. Not liking how tight the original 8' cable was, I upsized to a 10' length. Now I can steer to port again! Can't wait to get it in the water and see how much it is improved.

UPDATE 18Aug2015: New steering is GREAT!! No effort needed at all...very easy to go round the clock. Sometimes I catch myself looking back at the motor to see if it hadn't fallen off! Only drawback is when letting go of the wheel underway, new steering doesn't run hands free as long as the old rack system did.

I bought mine at an independent marine supply store. Look it up on West Marine. Steering unit and cable sold separate.

[Tomfoolery]

BWY (Bluewater Yachts) also has them on their web site, with references to which system they replace, depending on boat model and vintage. I don't know which system is what, and if it were me, I'd call them directly and talk to them. They're very helpful, and want you to get the right system, so it's worth a call rather than trying to decipher which system is most appropriate.

http://shop.bwyachts.com/category-s/317.htm

[Highlander]

My steering is also showing signs of wear approx 1/4 turn play so lookin @ replacing BWY also have a high performance R/P system that apparently has a lot less play!
so gonna do some checking out

J

[sailboatmike]

Gee I thought my less than 1/8th of a turn was sloppy,

[cavanman58]

What is a high performance R/P system? Sorry for the dumb question!

[K9Kampers]

R/P is rack & pinion, the mechanical configuration of the steering system. The high performance aspect is the cable that has less play for easier tighter steering.

Highlanders rocketship with sails requires H/P components!

[sailboatmike]

I have noticed that now I have removed my defunct Sportpilot plus that much of the slop has gone from the steering, I think the problem was I had slop from the steering added to the sport pilot slop giving me close to 1/4 turn total.

I hated that as many channels I have to use are narrow (around 60 to 80 feet) and busy so I was always having to adjust the wheel, when you have to traverse a mile of so of channel like that with 1/2 a turn of slop it become quiet wearing

Im looking to replace the obviously dead brains of my sport pilot with a Arduino project, some info in Youtube from people that have done much the same