This is what happens when you have too much time on your hands.
I've spent the last two months working on Angelina's steering system. On her last survey it was noted that a supporting block of wood was cracked and should be replaced. That block of wood supported a bearing in a pillow block at the end of the steering shaft. That block of wood is behind the starboard water tank in the lazarette. To get the water tank through the lazarette hatch the rudder post, rudder and assorted supports, chains, quadrants, bearings, wires ect all had to be removed. Props to CHB for making the water tank exactly the size of the hatch opening. And I mean exactly....
The block of wood cracked because the two bolts holding it from the under deck had rusted away. I never realized rust takes up more space than steel. The wood block had split. The bolts pulled through the decking. The only thing holding the steering system together was inertia. Angelina's steering system was more theory than reality.
It's all good now. A solid chunk of aged Oak, two galvanized bolts, everything coated in epoxy and caulked. I even painted the inside of the lazarette. I am rebuilding the lazarette hatch. My steering cables are tight and my stuffing box is stuffed.
But just in case I dug out the emergency tiller. And scraped it. And painted it. I hope I never have to use it but if I do, it will match the lazarette.
So where is your emergency tiller? Can you get to it fast? Does it actually work? Can you see from where you will have to steer?
Whip'em out and show them boys. Here's mine.
I've spent the last two months working on Angelina's steering system. On her last survey it was noted that a supporting block of wood was cracked and should be replaced. That block of wood supported a bearing in a pillow block at the end of the steering shaft. That block of wood is behind the starboard water tank in the lazarette. To get the water tank through the lazarette hatch the rudder post, rudder and assorted supports, chains, quadrants, bearings, wires ect all had to be removed. Props to CHB for making the water tank exactly the size of the hatch opening. And I mean exactly....
The block of wood cracked because the two bolts holding it from the under deck had rusted away. I never realized rust takes up more space than steel. The wood block had split. The bolts pulled through the decking. The only thing holding the steering system together was inertia. Angelina's steering system was more theory than reality.
It's all good now. A solid chunk of aged Oak, two galvanized bolts, everything coated in epoxy and caulked. I even painted the inside of the lazarette. I am rebuilding the lazarette hatch. My steering cables are tight and my stuffing box is stuffed.
But just in case I dug out the emergency tiller. And scraped it. And painted it. I hope I never have to use it but if I do, it will match the lazarette.
So where is your emergency tiller? Can you get to it fast? Does it actually work? Can you see from where you will have to steer?
Whip'em out and show them boys. Here's mine.