What Is This Called? Traditional Wheel Position?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Fiveslide

Reverse in, looking astern.

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Good luck.....most of these installations are on boats that don't steer when moving the unnatural direction.


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[Benz]

Worm gear steering has the advantage of being VERY reliable--I'd say the most reliable system after a plain tiller. No cables to break, no sprocket to get worn. They were popular on workboats and schooners for many years (Tristan Jones discusses them in 'A Steady Trade' as having been used commonly on English cargo barges). In summers I work on an 80' schooner with a worm gear, (and wheel facing aft) and I wouldn't trade it for any other system. It makes the steering so easy that a child can tack the boat (and we often let them do it). Of course it helps that the boat balances well, being gaff-rigged, but even so there's a lot of rudder to control, and the worm gear makes it pretty easy. I think the disadvantage of a worm gear on a small boat is that there's not always somewhere to stand, but I've stood on the seat of a worm-geared Cheoy Lee ketch and steered with my foot while seeing over the pilot house. If ever I have a boat too big for a tiller, it will definitely be worm-gear steering with a wheel facing aft, the way wheels ought to on proper boats.

[westsail374]

Check out this nice version:

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Day sailing I really like it, I either sit to the side of it or behind it. Passagemaking it's great unless either the windvane or the AP dies.



Docking is no problem, just kneel next to it on the cockpit seat and the engine controls are right at your fingertips. Unless it's hard to see , then you stand up and steer with your right foot.



But it is bullet proof.

That is a rack and pinion, not a worm gear

[a64pilot]

this is a worm drive
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worm_drive

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

That is a rack and pinion, not a worm gear

I know that.......look at my prior post. both rack and pinion and worm gear appear identical from the outside.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

this is a worm drive
Worm drive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

this is an actual example of what a worm gear steering system is.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

I know that.......look at my prior post. both rack and pinion and worm gear appear identical from the outside.

OK, sorry. Just rack and pinion gives much better feedback and should have almost no play. Used in a lot of sports cars.
Worm gear can have much more mechanical advantage, more play and little "feel" Used in old pick ups trucks steering boxes for example.

Although as you say they do look the same from the outside, they are very different.

[deblen]

A video of the Bluenose II & how it is steered.See my earlier post for the reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0_WO2oTnO4

[deblen]

And this is a video of the original Bluenose undefeated -1930's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWUD_r6E4U8

[Larry T.]

A friend and I recently acquired a 1967 Mariner 40 that has this kind of steering system. Yes the wheel turns a worm gear that turns the rudder. Check out the "Mariner Owners Association" website for more pictures of this system. The first time we took the boat out my buddy was sitting aft of the wheel on the gear box cover and I thought it was the weiredest and most uncomfortable way to drive a boat I had ever seen!! When I took the helm I was blown away by how comfortable and natural it felt. There is room to stand behind the wheel when you need to look around and the plop your fanny down and relax and enjoy the sail. But in answer to your question, don't have a clue as to if this system has a particular name.

[SkiprJohn]

My old Mariner had the worm drive. Extremely robust. Very little feedback which is a plus when steering in severe weather but a minus when racing. It was designed for simplicity and strength and works very well, however, if you take it apart to drop the rudder you need to remember how it goes back together because if you get it wrong you'll be steering the opposite direction until you sort it out. I had to troubleshoot that for a friend.

Center cockpit boats can't use them unless you go hydraulic to drive them and if you want to be forward in the cockpit then you won't be able to use them.

I believe them to be more dependable than cable.

[Boatyarddog]

I'd like to see the pictures of this steering system.
My Mariner 32 has a pinion gear on the steering shaft and a rack type gear on the rudder post.
I've seen an articulated type on another vessel, that had a couple of links, I think and a rotating worn gear working a beveled plate, fairly intricate system.
Could you post the pictures as I cannot locate a shot on the M. Owners site


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[Boatyarddog]

It's called aft steering, however there are a few designs, rack and pinion is the type I have, worm drive.


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[Peter_nzl]

I'm in the process of buying a Mariner 32 that also has this worm steering gear setup.
what I would like to know is if there is any way of having an electric autopilot setup for this kind of wheel arrangement??