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Kamalolo · 08-06-2017, 12:29

Steering quadrant is cracked completely through. We have the emergency tiller tied in place keeping the pressure off the quadrant.
Should we have the steering quadrant repaired or just but and install a new one and keep original as back up....
Where to purchase a new one as well....
Any adviced is appreciated.

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sailormed · 08-06-2017, 12:34

Find a good welder and have it repaired. Easy and simple solution.

Paul L · 08-06-2017, 12:36

What brand is your steering system? Do they have replacements in stock? You don't mention the boat, but many builders used standard Edson or Whitlock gear.

Kamalolo · 08-06-2017, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailormed

Find a good welder and have it repaired. Easy and simple solution.

Thank you

Kamalolo · 08-06-2017, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul L

What brand is your steering system? Do they have replacements in stock? You don't mention the boat, but many builders used standard Edson or Whitlock gear.

1982 Stevens 47
We just bought the boat 2 months ago and we don't know the brand yet...

model 10 · 08-06-2017, 12:44

Looks like a POS Cinkel. Its a lousy casting if you weld it will probably fail again, mine did. Edson is a bolt on replacement in Bronze.

Kamalolo · 08-06-2017, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

Looks like a POS Cinkel. Its a lousy casting if you weld it will probably fail again, mine did. Edson is a bolt on replacement in Bronze.

Thanks definitely what were leaning towards.

Kamalolo · 08-06-2017, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

Looks like a POS Cinkel. Its a lousy casting if you weld it will probably fail again, mine did. Edson is a bolt on replacement in Bronze.

Thanks so much

UNCIVILIZED · 08-06-2017, 13:37

If it's a casting the odds are poor that it'll take a weld of any quality. And even if it does it'll never be anywhere near as strong as before.

What were the clues that something was awry? And you know that you can attach lines to the emergency tiller arm & lead them to winches, right? Since it's probably a really short tiller, not giving you much leverage.

EDIT: You might want to get on the radio & connect with a few boats in your vicinity, including the Coast Guard (or similar), & advise them of your situation. That way they already have a heads up if you get into trouble, & fully lose steerage. And you also should probably review an article or three on how to steer without a rudder. Along with rigging up equipment for same, should it happen.

The other bit about steering without a rudder is that the idea is to have the trim of the boat via moveable ballast, along with sail trim steer her. And the more you do of that now, steering via trim & ballast, the less load there will be on your steering components.

If you need a copy of said article just ask, & we'll post it, or a link to it.

Also, not to be defeatist, but inventory & re-pack your ditch kit, along with a few drybags full of your important gear, in case you lose steering & wind up having to be pulled off of her by another vessel. Since loss of steering is one of the top 3 or top 5 reasons folks abandon ship.

boden36 · 08-06-2017, 14:54

Definitely replace. Unknown metallurgy and by the time you weld the crack and re machine the hole there will be significant investment in a part that will probably fail again.
A fairly crucial part from a safety angle too.

Regards,
Richard

rognvald · 08-06-2017, 17:55

Replace with an Edson quadrant. Excellent product; outstanding technical support. Good luck and safe sailing.

UNCIVILIZED · 08-06-2017, 18:30

Note, before you sail off into the wild blue after fitting a new quadrant. It's worth taking a close look at the rudder shaft, & the other steering components in that area. Probably with a magnifier/pocket microscope, & some dye penetrant, to check & see if there are any other structural defects being birthed. Ditto the entire rest of the steering system.

Part of my saying this is that were it my boat, I'd want to know where the crack originally started, & why. As well as if any of the quadrant's neighboring parts were damaged when the quadrant cracked, began cracking. And between the fact that it looks as if it's aluminum, & that there's corrosion in between the shaft & where the quadrant wraps around it, I can't help but wonder if a small bit of corrosion in between the two caused enough stress in the quadrant's metal, to make it crack over time, in the course of thousands of flex cycles. Anyone else think this plausible, especially given the pic?

Could just be me, could be a contributing factor, or it could be something else entirely. But it bears checking, without question. As does the rest of the steering gear, including the chain & sprocket, etc.

model 10 · 08-06-2017, 19:06

My POS Cinkel quadrant failed because it was probably loose for a bit, then broke. I had seen the mung around the shaft but did nothing about it. No damage to the stainless shaft.