Broken steering cable

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by scoobert

Thank you, how do i remove the compass?

Removing a Ritchie Navigator Compass ➥ Edson Video Player

[Sailmonkey]

If you go spectra you may need to change the sheaves if the wire has worn grooves in them.

So are you rethinking your need to inspect the standing rigging? Probably no good if you don't know the age.

[Panope]

Scoobert,

I am curious about your quadrant. What is the radius (distance form shaft center-line to cable groove)?

I built my own quadrant using "seat of the pants engineering". Radius is 12 inches. I am just wondering what others are for comparison purposes

I believe the radius of the quadrant will dictate the load on the cable (larger radius = less cable load).

Steve

[Andrew B.]

Originally Posted by Neo

Many thanks.

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

Pardon my ignorance.

What's the "lesson" ?

What was the "mistake" ?

[Sailmonkey]

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.

Abuse in reverse is not the problem. Following seas or other sailing loads will exceed those created by backing.

[Suijin]

I would just replace it with like cable and coat it with lithium grease where it goes around the quadrant or sheaves.

[hpeer]

Mine broke also. The root cause was a turning block had come loose, which allowed some slop in the cable. It then caught in a sheave and quickly abraded through.

There was a thread about replacing the cable a long time ago. Some insisted on SS wire. Others were convinced that normal wire (think Home Depot) of the correct stranding will work better because it is less stiff and will wear better. Either is strong enough.

I have a very long straight run under the aft cabin sole and was actually able to splice in a piece of wire. Have over 4,000 miles on it. Working a charm.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Panope

... I believe the radius of the quadrant will dictate the load on the cable (larger radius = less cable load).
Steve

When designing Aircraft Control Cable Systems, the minimum ratio of cable diameter to pulley (quadrant) diameter is 35:1.
Hence, your 12" quadrant should be suitable for up to 5/16" cable.
➥ Pulley & Sheave Diameters - Loos & Co., Inc.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Suijin

I would just replace it with like cable and coat it with lithium grease where it goes around the quadrant or sheaves.

I agree. replace with cable. You dont want to be an experimental boat when it comes to steering. (Some poeple like to do such things but they are science/mechanically minded and are best equipped to ferret out the problems and solutions.) Be sure to check all your sheaves, the alignment and that the pins through the sheaves arent worn out making them wobble etc.

[Stumble]

I made the switch to dyneema (amsteel) and prefer it, but I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. The major advantage to me is that since it has a much better bend radious than steel, I don't have to worry about the wire blocks it runs over being too small (they pretty much all are), or the bends being to sharp (again most designs are). However it did take some initial work to check that all the pullies were smooth enough to accept rope instead of wire.

The upside is I can replace the stearing cable underway with any one of a number of lines I have on the boat, or from the partial spool of amsteel I carry onboard. It also makes the stearing much lighter and responsive. Since the reduced weight, and ease over the pullies reduces friction. I also like that since amsteel is self lubricating, I don't have to have parts of the boat bunked up with greese.

[scoobert]

So i have a new question.
My wire is 10mm. I ordered 5 mm, will it be big enough to work?
The chain is 2.5', i ordered 2'

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by scoobert

So i have a new question.
My wire is 10mm. I ordered 5 mm, will it be big enough to work?
The chain is 2.5', i ordered 2'

Uhhh, Scoobert, let me get this straight: The old wire fatigued and broke, so you ordered a wire of half the diameter and one quarter of the strength to replace it? The old chain which worked properly and gave full travel to the steering was 2.5 feet long so you ordered one 20% shorter?

WTF??

to answer your question, no I don't think it will be big enough to work (well and for long).

I don't understand your version of preparing for offshore voyaging at all.

Cheers,

Jim

[scoobert]

I ordered before i measured. They are removing the docks in a week, and i need to move.

[John A]

My chain broke while entering the bay at Deshaies (Day-hay), Guadeloupe.

[gonesail]

that's a darn good cable if it broke in port and not at sea