Gemini 105Mc steering wheel question

[Lesliesailsaway]

Hi all,

We are in the process of selling our 2004 Gemini 105Mc catamaran. One potential buyer suggested our steering wheel is too stiff and the cables should be replaced. Furthermore, this potential buyer stated our wheel should be easily moved with one finger. We have sailed her without any difficulty up and down the east coast, down to the Keys and then up the west coast of Florida.

My question to those Gemini owners in general how stiff is your wheel on a 1 to 10 scale? 10 being extremely stiff.

Thank you in advance for your insight.

Lesliesailsaway😁

[Davy J]

My steering wheel turns fairly easily, I'll call it a 2 or 3. The autopilot, if you have it, introduces some friction. And regarding that, if you have never changed the belt in the autopilot, it could cause some problems. I had to replace mine about three years ago because the teeth on the belt were coming off and caused some difficulty in steering. Also, be sure that the drive leg is well lubricated and can be turned side to side easily.

[Lesliesailsaway]

Hi Davy J,

Thank you for your response. The outdrive is a new drive. It was replaced in April of 2019. The drive leg turns easily. We have a spare cable which we will install and like you said we will lubricate accordingly. Again, thank you and be safe out in the water.

[Mr B]

Mines a 2003 105MC, About 2 or 3, Friction is caused by the belt,
I do have autopilot installed,
Mine has two new steering cables installed,
Also a new drive belt was added 3 weeks ago as mine fell to bits,
There are two drive belts, one black and one grey, They are different lengths,
Steering wheel colour determines the length, Grey is Mark two,

There are two steering cables, One to each rudder, ?????
It has a twin steering box for the steering cables as per piccy,

Cheers, Brian,

[captainstubbie]

I just replace both my cables last month on my 105M. It was about A-day job to remove the old ones and get the new ones and stalled and tuned correctly. I did not have to remove my fridge and I did the job on my own. I also put a new autopilot on and truly my steering is one finger now

Any lubrication job, regardless of if you use mineral spirits or other things that other people have used, once those cables get stiff, h truly the only way to make things better are to just replace them. They're not that expensive. Andy of those fixes are simply short term fixes

[valhalla360]

Except once when the autopilot stuck a bit...I typically steered with one finger right at the hub...it really takes very little effort to turn the wheel.

[Lesliesailsaway]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Mines a 2003 105MC, About 2 or 3, Friction is caused by the belt,
I do have autopilot installed,
Mine has two new steering cables installed,
Also a new drive belt was added 3 weeks ago as mine fell to bits,
There are two drive belts, one black and one grey, They are different lengths,
Steering wheel colour determines the length, Grey is Mark two,

There are two steering cables, One to each rudder, ?????
It has a twin steering box for the steering cables as per piccy,

Cheers, Brian,

Hi Mr. B,

Thank you so much for your response and input. Looks like we will be replacing the cables. Leslie

[Lesliesailsaway]

Originally Posted by captainstubbie

I just replace both my cables last month on my 105M. It was about A-day job to remove the old ones and get the new ones and stalled and tuned correctly. I did not have to remove my fridge and I did the job on my own. I also put a new autopilot on and truly my steering is one finger now

Any lubrication job, regardless of if you use mineral spirits or other things that other people have used, once those cables get stiff, h truly the only way to make things better are to just replace them. They're not that expensive. Andy of those fixes are simply short term fixes

Hi Captain Stubbie,

Thank you for your response and input. Looks like we will be installing new cables. Leslie

[Lesliesailsaway]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Except once when the autopilot stuck a bit...I typically steered with one finger right at the hub...it really takes very little effort to turn the wheel.

Hello there,

Thanks for your response and input. Leslie

[Lesliesailsaway]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Mines a 2003 105MC, About 2 or 3, Friction is caused by the belt,
I do have autopilot installed,
Mine has two new steering cables installed,
Also a new drive belt was added 3 weeks ago as mine fell to bits,
There are two drive belts, one black and one grey, They are different lengths,
Steering wheel colour determines the length, Grey is Mark two,

There are two steering cables, One to each rudder, ?????
It has a twin steering box for the steering cables as per piccy,

Cheers, Brian,

Hi Mr. B,

Thanks for your response and input. Looks like we will be installing new cables. I hope all is well with you and your family with the fires and all. Been following the news. Such a tragedy. Leslie

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Lesliesailsaway

Hi Mr. B,

Thanks for your response and input. Looks like we will be installing new cables. I hope all is well with you and your family with the fires and all. Been following the news. Such a tragedy. Leslie

Had another feel with the wheel, It takes no effort to spin it, I have new cables and drive belt,
The fires are all out, Rain depression from the cyclones up north put them all out,
Now we have floods,
Thats Australia for ya,

[Lesliesailsaway]

Thank you kindly for the cable sheet. It will come in handy. Australia has always fascinated me, would love to visit some day. Every country has its challenges. I pray Australia and mother nature will find a happy medium.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Lesliesailsaway

Thank you kindly for the cable sheet. It will come in handy. Australia has always fascinated me, would love to visit some day. Every country has its challenges. I pray Australia and mother nature will find a happy medium.

No probs for the cable sheet, That would have been your next question, Hahahaha, What size and lengths,

Our country certainly has its challenges, Every thing is out to kill you in one way or another,,
From Drop bears to Crocodiles, Which now come in the super large family size,
Snakes and spiders, Etc Etc, Hahahaha

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by Lesliesailsaway

Hi all,

We are in the process of selling our 2004 Gemini 105Mc catamaran. One potential buyer suggested our steering wheel is too stiff and the cables should be replaced. Furthermore, this potential buyer stated our wheel should be easily moved with one finger. We have sailed her without any difficulty up and down the east coast, down to the Keys and then up the west coast of Florida.

My question to those Gemini owners in general how stiff is your wheel on a 1 to 10 scale? 10 being extremely stiff.

Thank you in advance for your insight.

Lesliesailsaway��

There is a thread on Gemini Gems addressing this. They say it is mostly caused by dried out grease in the steering cables down close to the tiller ends. They say there that it can be cured by unfastening the cable lower ends and soaking them in a paint thinner solution for a few days while turning the wheel occasionally. They also recommend NOT to ever grease the steering cables even though there are grease fittings on them. Try it!!