Edson Rack-and-Pinion Steering

[clarity36]

Crew
I am replacing tiller steering on my Roberts 36 with wheel (I've heard the debate, and I'm still going wheel!). Have any members experience of rack and pinion steering eg Edson's forward mounted R&P? It seems an elegant way of working from the top of the rudderstock, doing away with chain, cables, quadrant, idler wheels, or the expense of hydraulic steering with feedback (eg Hydrive Admiral). I wish to keep rudder feedback to continue using my Aries on longer legs. An added bonus seems to be a little more room in a smallish cruising cockpit. Cheers. Bill

[Chief Engineer]

Can you show us a link?

[Chief Engineer]

Catalogues - edson-traditional-steering-systems-accessories - edson

If you mean the rack (quadrant) and pinion....they are very old tech and very reliable.

Lunenburg made them also.

I have always liked the positive feel/

[clarity36]

Hi Chief
The edson trad cattle dog is on page 5 at
http://www.edsonmarine.com/traditional/pdf/Traditional_Catalog_T1.pdf

Thanks for your expeditious response. Hey, it must be the middle of the night where you are?
Cheers
Bill

[Shoalcove]

Check the number of turns it takes to move the rudder from one side to the other since that will affect your windvanes performance. Our wheel (R&P style) takes too many revolutions and it limits the ability of the Monitor to make course adjustments. Maybe leave a stub tiller just for the vane?

[James S]

Just had a look at the Edson link...wow...they really make some good looking stuff.
Looks to be quality through and through.

[clarity36]

Thanks for the tip, shoalcove. I propose to run a stub tiller aft of the rudderstock, inside the generous lazarette locker. Control lines on deck will therefore be a minimum, albeit reversed. Bill

[CarlF]

Edson has a reputation of providing extraordinary and very individual service - they've been at it for 150 years! I would call them and talk through your project. Don't be surprised if you end up talking to Willie Keene the CEO.

Carl

I see you're a world apart. Their time zone is GMT -4 with daylight savings in effect.

[s/v Jedi]

Be sure to check out the Lewmar Mamba steering too. It is highly regarded in the industry.

You also need to check on the auto-pilot options; I know all the manufacturers have a solution for the Mamba but I'm not so sure on Edson. For a Mamba, you just attach a DC motor to a gear.

The Mamba is a "Rotating Torque Tube & Bevelhead" setup and they have the (less well known) Cobra rack & pinion.

cheers,
Nick.