Steering System Repair

[smolinan]

I need advice on the wheel cable steering system on my 32' Ericson. It was made in the mid 70's and kept in salt water in San Francisco Bay. I moved it up river to the fresh water Sacramento Delta area a few years ago, but it seems that the salt water has taken its toll of a few systems.

Specifically, While cruising, I lost wheel rudder control. I hooked up my spare tiller and made it back to the harbor to inspect the damage. Here is what had happened: There appears to be a horizontal "H" shaped framework surrounding the steering quadrant, with the two legs of the "H" fastened to cradles (more like ridges) in the hull. The crossbar of the "H" secures the two legs. The steering cables run through sheaves fastened to the leg plates, but the starboard leg (plate) had pulled out of the cradle thus loosening the quadrant steering cable and allowing the cable to fall off of the quadrant cable channels.

It is very cramped in the hull area, and the fuel tank blocks access, so I cannot determine if the sheave plate bottoms are welded to the hull ridges, which probably have a supporting structure, or if they are fiber glassed in place (which I rather doubt) but who knows. In fact, I am hoping that someone out there does know and would be kind enough to advise me so that I can try to get it fixed, or decide if my Ericson will become a tiller steered boat from now on. Thank you for any info you can share.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, smolinan.

You might check out EricsonYachts.org:
➥ http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/content.php

OR:

➥ http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/w...pdfs/S-317.pdf

➥ http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/w...dfs/S-1911.pdf

[VS1960]

Hello.
I am from Denmark. I just bought a Ericson 32 from 74.
I have just sailed in it in short time and now the wheel stearing is damaged.. I can se you had simular problems and i would be happy if you. Could help me whith some advice about reparing it. And maybee you have got some pictures about your repair.
Mvh
Villy Steenberg

You might check out EricsonYachts.org:
➥ EY.o Information Exchange - The Front Page

OR:

➥ http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/w...pdfs/S-317.pdf

➥ http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/w...dfs/S-1911.pdf[/QUOTE]

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Villy.

[model 10]

It sounds like it could be a Cinkel steering system.

[VS1960]

I am not sure i know what you mean. But if i could put at photo to this mail i could show what i mean. But i dont know if it is possible?

[VS1960]

Thank you GordMay