MacGregorSailors.com

According to the manual, there is an optional linkage system that allows connection to rudders only, motor only or both.

Anyone tried this? I go back and forth between sail and motor fairly regularly, so I'd like to find a convenient way of switching without having to fiddle around on my knees at the stern while underway.

Not sure if you can use the BWY Quick Disconnect System on the X but it is great for an M.

BWY Quick Disconnect

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

The optional “quick” disconnector Jim refers to is made for X’s as well as M’s by Blue Water Yachts. It makes it easier and faster than the standard factory linkage, but allows the same choice of either; rudders only; or rudders and motor together. You tilt the motor to clear the water for sailing.

As you've probably found, if you want motor only steering, you raise the rudders out of the water, but the rudders still swing in the air in either case, because the configuration of the steering control does not provide for convenient disconnection of the rudders.

seahouse wrote:The optional “quick” disconnector Jim refers to is made for X’s as well as M’s by Blue Water Yachts. It makes it easier and faster than the standard factory linkage, but allows the same choice of either; rudders only; or rudders and motor together. You tilt the motor to clear the water for sailing.

As you've probably found, if you want motor only steering, you raise the rudders out of the water, but the rudders still swing in the air in either case, because the configuration of the steering control does not provide for convenient disconnection of the rudders.

Yeah, you're right. I don;t need to disconnect just to motor, but when under sail, that motor does get heavy.

seahouse wrote:The optional “quick” disconnector Jim refers to is made for X’s as well as M’s by Blue Water Yachts.

Thanks. I'll look into this.

c130king wrote:Not sure if you can use the BWY Quick Disconnect System on the X but it is great for an M.

BWY Quick Disconnect

Thanks. Good video.

(Called it! Saw your username and was about to ask if you flew Hercs. Then I checked your profile. )

Dave --

The link to the part...

http://www.bwyachts.com/web%20catalog%2 ... eering.htm

-Brian.

Just confirming, the BWY linkage system works a treat.



~Rich

Thanks for the picture Hamin. I have a different setup. I have a 1996 26X but for some reason my pushrod from the cable comes out astern of the rudder linkage rod. If you want I can post a picture of it. I think if I put the mounting bracket with the pin where the motor rod is attached when disconnected on the deck there, the runner pinion will hit it when it swings. Any ideas why mine is different?
73
Floyd

Floyd, here's a link to the same disconnect product (that I've used) that is similarly on the BWY assembly:
http://www.midwestcontrol.com/part.php?id=141
I have a hydraulic steering modification which is quite different than the factory supplied system, but in either case, you can definitely feel the unloading of the engine with the disconnect in use!
R.

Sparksvonrou wrote:Any ideas why mine is different?
73
Floyd

There are members that have older models that will chime in, I'm sure. I am not familiar with the differences in steering on the older models.

~Rich

I have the BWY steering link fitted to my 26M. It works very well except that when disconnected and the engine is in the raised position for sailing the steering arm gets caught on the cables to the motor. The motor is a suzuki 40 and the cables come out on the port side of the motor the same side as the steering arm. One possible solutution would be to change the steering linkage so that it comes out of a hole in the starboard side. Has anyone done this please? Is the BWY system reversible in this way? I accept I would have to make a new hole for the arm to come through and place the static pin onto the starbourd side as well.
Alternatively any other ideas to get around the problem
Thanks in advance for any observations
Jonathan