M Steering Dramas

Hurley · Post by **Hurley** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:28 pm

I know this subject has been done to death,, however, I am looking at changing the steering wheel size, perhaps to 24 inch. I appreciate that it will restrict the cockpit a little, but I am currently getting very jacked off with the standard wheel especialy when sailing. The constant correction is killing my wrists

Any advice gentlemen ???

Paul S · Post by **Paul S** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:53 am

Hurley wrote:I know this subject has been done to death,, however, I am looking at changing the steering wheel size, perhaps to 24 inch. I appreciate that it will restrict the cockpit a little, but I am currently getting very jacked off with the standard wheel especialy when sailing. The constant correction is killing my wrists

Any advice gentlemen ???

Use your other hand

The linkage stinks..especially with the motor up..flopping around side to side. I spray the linkage where the shaft comes out of the transom with sailcote a few times over the season..seems to help a bit...

It's my most major gripe with the M. It is great in every other respect (other than the sloppy workmanship) .

Check the inside transom for any cables/wires in the way of the linkage...lube the pivots..

Other than that...not a lot I have found

Paul

Chip Hindes · Post by **Chip Hindes** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:38 am

I have a 22" wheel on my X, and I think it is one of the best Mods yet.

Even with the way wider X cockpit (compared to the M) we have to do some gymnastics to get past it. I recommend that you cut out a big piece of cardboard the size of your proposed wheel and tape or wire it to the existing wheel in order to determine whether you will be able to live with the larger wheel. For us , we determined that 22" would be OK, but 24" would be problematic.

The larger wheel will in effect, slow the steering down. It will require more and larger wheel motions for a given correction, though the force required to operate it will be lower.

Keep in mind as well, particularly at lower speeds, the Mac is slow to respond to minor steering corrections, and I find the tendency, is to turn the wheel too far, resulting in overcorrection. Instead, turn the wheel just a little, then wait a few seconds to see what is the response before turning it further or back. I believe you'll find you're making fewer, smaller corrections.

When you're motoring, make sure you have a little daggerboard and at least one rudder down up to about 6-7 mph. Low speeds are relatively more unstable, so sometimes bumping the speed up just a little will improve steering response.

Also, the original Detmar steering on my '01 has a statement molded into one of the plastic parts under the wheel "maximum steering wheel size 18"" or words to that effect. I assume that is because forces generated by the larger wheel are easily capable of damaging the steering gear.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 1:23 pm

"The constant correction is killing my wrists"
The wheel size is not the problem IMHO look for other problems .Try not correcting so much that often is the root . . .Bigger wheel would give more leverage and yes I guess more control as you would have to turn the wheel a little or lot more to change the rudders or the motor . So you might be less apt to over correct????

mtc · Post by **mtc** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:16 pm

I mounted a 22" wheel. Would have liked to go bigger, but with the 22, the fuel seat covers will just now barely clear the wheel. Besides, the larger ones were waaaaayyyy pricer. This one was just one large.

Michael

Gotta get the bigger wheel so you can stand at the helm, unless you're just tall enough for the stock wheel. Didn't fit me.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 4:21 pm

We put the 22 inch on Catigale last year and really like it for sailing and motoring

It does impede the cockpit more, I came close to putting on a quick release pin for mooring, but when we cruise we just use the back seat for coolers and eat meal in front of the cockpit for our family of four.

After the kids are in bed below, we snuggle up under a blanket and watch the moon rise with a bottle of wine on the back seat too....

bwytodd · Post by **bwytodd** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 8:33 pm

The larger wheel issue is really one of personal preference. Both Mac and the manufacturer of the steering system (Detmar or Teleflex, depending on the production date of your boat) recommend the 16" wheel limit to reduce the amout of force that a ham handed user can easily put on the steering system. Having a larger wheel is the equivalent of "get a bigger wrench", you now have the power to break things if you are careless.

The big thing I see here is people fighting with steering the weight of the engine when it is kicked up, YOU SHOULD NEVER SAIL WITH THE ENGINE CONNECTED TO THE STEERING!!!!!!! It is uncomfortable and dangerous! The factory link bar and our "Custom Steering" system both provide the ability to lock the engine straight gefore you kick it up. The problem with leaving the engine connected (in addition to constantly draging around several hundred pounds of engine) is that when the boat heels over significantly the weight of the engine wants to turn the wheel AWAY from the wind, causing a situation that seems like Lee Helm, but is really mechanically induced by the weight of the engine, this happens right when you want the boat to have a little weather helm and round up if you really overpower it.

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL · Sun Oct 09, 2005 7:32 am

Dis-connecting the obm from the steering is a personal preference, but is also unsafe, IMHO.
I can't think of any good reason to do that.
If your steering is set up right, the 26X and 26M have a big boat feel in a small boat. I'll compare it to manual steering.
If your obm is dis-connected, I compare it to power steering.
When power sailing, I certainly think it should be connected. Also in rough weather. For me, it is more comfortable and safer.
Again, just my opinion.

ALX357 · Post by **ALX357** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 8:42 am

these two different viewpoints each have merits;

especially for heavier motors, disconnecting obm while sailing might be significant, but for the lighter 50 Merc. Classic i have, the motor is mostly balanced when lifted, even for its lateral tilt when heeling the boat. I never disconnect the motor, but then again i don't have a 90 or large four-stroke....

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:48 am

On the Hudson, dicsonnecting is not an option...too many things trying to boat chum you, along with variable winds, tides, and currents that can ruin your day, right when that 1000 foot cement barge is coming up the channel....

I never want to be more than 10 seconds away from Mr Mercury powered up on the river ...

Off shore, its bliss with the motor up and off the steering linkage....

mssydnie · Post by **mssydnie** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 10:31 am

Guess I'm a lonely voice...I love to sail but don't care about performanece...slow and quiet is fine with me. So...I don't care about the drag of the motor and often as not leave it down even when sailing...don't mind the drag and boat seems to steer and track great...does anybody know? Maybe motor down acts like a skeg? Also, I don't have any steering trouble with motor up. 2002 X w/50hp Suzuki DF-50...I guess motor is not that heavy.

baldbaby2000 · Post by **baldbaby2000** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 11:07 am

On our M we almost always disconnect the steering from the motor and lock the motor straight ahead (and raised up) while sailing. It feels much nicer and if I let go of the wheel, the boat controls which way the wheel wants to turn and not the weight of the motor. I haven't had any problems motoring in this configuration; motor locked straight and steering with the rudders with dagger board partially down. I've even pulled into our slip this way but usually hook the motor up if there's much wind.

The factory configuration had a stud for locking the motor straight but it just wasn't right so I put my own on.

BB

aya16 · Post by **aya16** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 3:13 pm

I dont understand how its unsafe to disconnect the motor and having it locked down in the straight position.
I sail with the motor disconnected all the time and the steering is way better this way. The motor can be used even disconected if you want.
and I dont understand why you would have it connected and in the water while sailing. The rudders are large enough to give you full control without the help of the engine being down.
With the motor connected and tilted up and sailing on a reach the engine wants to pull the steeering in the oposite way. So your holding the engine back with the steering when you dont have too.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 4:14 pm

I would think with my limited sailing expertise that what Bill is talking about is. . . Getting that motor back down and hooked up and running, should you find yourself needing it. We have the Merc. 50 HP 4 stroke B.F. which is I think about as heavy a motor as you'll find out there within the recommended factory H.P. limits. . So Far No Flopping. For me, its like all my other insurance policies . . I hope I never need them , but if I do. . . . . I have them, and I hope they work as well as I have been lead to believe they will.Worst case scenario the Merc is down and running in about 15 seconds maybe less...Only time on board, will tell me if I can or need to change my mind. A Lot More Time BTW

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The constant correction is killing my wrists

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