Broken steering cable

[scoobert]

We had an interesting experience trying to leave the dock two days ago.

Seems the steering cable snapped. Better in port, then at sea.
What cable do i use for steering? If you need to know, i believe it is an edison.
Do i need to replace the chain too?

[casual]

Call Edson. Had the same happen on the ICW in NC. Edson was a big help. Cable can be bought from many sources. The usual place for breaks is the connection between the cable and chain a new chain is then needed.
Good Luck

[Jimbo485]

"Seems?"

Or it really did break?

Have you looked at it? If so, describe the break or failure.

When did you last visually inspect it prior to this incident?

[scoobert]

Last inspected in june.

[Sailmonkey]

It's 7X19 stainless. Nothing special. Sometimes you have swagged ends, sometimes nicropress sleeves and thimbles. Others have replaced it with dyneema or spectra.

[scoobert]

Is it about 3/16"? Is there a standard size?
If i replace it with rope line, is there any strenght rating it needs?
Would amsteel work?

[GordMay]

http://www.edsonmarine.com/ecatalogs...rint/00018.pdf

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by GordMay

http://www.edsonmarine.com/ecatalogs...rint/00018.pdf

Thank you, how do i remove the compass?

[Neo]

Originally Posted by scoobert

Last inspected in june.

I did a preseason check on my cable this year and did not find any problems, but there were areas of the cable I could not see (where it goes up into the steering pedestal).

Was the area of your break visually inspected in June? Were you able to feel this area with your hand?

[scoobert]

I did only a visual check, but i may have abused it in reverse a time or two. I see frays on the other side too now. I will replace the entire chain/rope as an assembly.

[john540]

Mine broke the last time I had the boat out, in the middle of the Sacramento River. The emergency tiller didn't fit. It broke close to where the chain meets the cable in a location that's very difficult to inspect. It broke because it was chafing, so replacing it with spectra is a really bad idea unless the chafe point is completely eliminated. I now have a custom emergency tiller that works very well.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by john540

Mine broke the last time I had the boat out, in the middle of the Sacramento River. The emergency tiller didn't fit. It broke close to where the chain meets the cable in a location that's very difficult to inspect. It broke because it was chafing, so replacing it with spectra is a really bad idea unless the chafe point is completely eliminated. I now have a custom emergency tiller that works very well.

Mine broke at an even worse time.
I was training the wife in how to leave dock in a contrary wind, and current.
So not only didnt i know, she had no idea it had broken.
I will do a writeup on my blog this weekend, with damage photos...
Needless to say i didnt know i could get a sailboat that far onto the dock..

[Neo]

Originally Posted by scoobert

I did only a visual check, but i may have abused it in reverse a time or two. I see frays on the other side too now. I will replace the entire chain/rope as an assembly.

Pardon my ignorance, but how did you abuse it in reverse?

Motoring in reverse at speed and quickly turning the wheel. The rudder catches lots of water and puts great strain on the cable?

[scoobert]

Exactly. This is what happened to the wife two days ago.
And caused it to snap.

[Neo]

Many thanks.

I hope this once I can learn a lesson without actually making the mistake myself.