[C320-list] Steering wire break & Replacement with chain

Wed Mar 25 18:04:20 PDT 2009

Based upon the recommendation of Ken at Edson that chain and wire cables should be replaced every 5-7 years, expecially for boats that are raced or sailed hard, I ordered: 

775-2S15B9 QTY SHIPPED: 1  (set of two wires I think) 
F1/4-3.5-RHP QTY SHIPPED: 1    Probably the chain 
F1/4-NW QTY SHIPPED: 1             Probably the 4+" bolt I need to replace the tight one I have about stripped with sloppy phillips head 

The above  is a new chain and 2 new wire cables all attached but without the connecting parts since mine are ok.  

Cost is   $274 with no sales tax since shipped from MA to FL, plus 2 da y FedEx Air at $25.  Edson contact info: 

E-mail: 	   info at edsonintl.com 	
Phone: 	  508-995-9711 
FAX: 	  508-995-5021 
Website: 	

   http://www.edsonintl.com 

Ken suggests using messenger lines on the old wire cable from the quadrant to the old chain, then transfer the messengers to the two sides of the new chain and the new wire cables in order to route to the correct sheve and quadrant side.  The Sail magazine this month explains the process clearly. 

 The Ft. Myers rig ger would have supplied the wire at $50 plus $35 for the teardrop swedges, but I opted to spend $200 extra for new chain and delivery to our house Friday -- the rigger was pretty busy and it was not clear when I would catch him and get the wire cables, which are attached to the chain by small SS shackles.  Ken had convinced me 

that I should have a new chain as well, saying that stress cracks can occur in old chain. 

Ellie at the Catalina plant in Largo, FL was very nice but she referred me to CA where our boat was made.  She had no info on spec's as above and I did not try to talk with Warren Pandy who is terrific and whom we met there on a plant tour 6 years ago or so.  I did not call CA because I had a golf game -- retirement is such a busy time that I sometimes wonder how I ever had time to work .    Rollie  #182   Charlotte Harbor, FL 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: crashley at gte.net 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 9:10:18 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Steering wire break 

This is probably a dumb question, but if you reverse the cables on the 
quadrant it would seem that the steering would end up reversed(!) I'm sure 
this is not the case so I'll take a look at the cable configuration you guys 
are talking about. 

CR Ashley 
Rosebud C320 Hull #882 

-----Original Message----- 
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com 
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of 
argates2nd at comcast.net 
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 9:04 PM 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Steering wire break 

Ken, 

Mine broke in the same place as yours and was routed the Edson way = port to 
port.  I did not notice the sharp place although I ran a finger over the 
entire radial drive wheel, but if it is there I got a double whammy with the 
screw threads as well.   I will try the crossing route next.   Rollie 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Danko" <ken320 at sbcglobal.net> 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 11:55:32 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Steering wire break 

Rollie: 

It sounds like your cable might have broken in the same place as mine. 

There is a difference of opinion about how the cables should be connected to 
the radial disk on the rudder post. Mine broke just where the cable ran from 
the outside of the radial disk to the inside where it connects. I could put 
my little finger in there and could feel a sharp edge. My rigger, and the 
manager of the yard I use, both said that the cable running on the port side 
of the radial disk should connect on the starboard side. Edison says that 
the cable running on the port side of the radial disk should connect on the 
port side. If I follow Edison's advice then the cable runs over the sharp 
edge, if I follow my rigger's advice it does not. 

Guess who I trusted? 

Ken 

argates2nd at comcast.net wrote: 
> Ken, 
> 
> I will try the Ft. Myers rigger but I still need to get one bolt out 
> below the compass for access to remove the entire wire.  I got that far 
with a flashlight about 2 hours ago so no pictures. 
> 
> The break was aft of the tightening adjustment bolts and right after it 
enters the big quadrant pulley wheel headed to the eye bolts. 
> 
> That entry point is about 1" wide, and the wire runs out there in both 
> directions.  The rudder reference unit was screwed in from below that 
entry point and about 1/4" of the screws were exposed in between the two 
wires running out, so I suspect that the wire was loose enough (1" play per 
foot is normal I believe) that the wire wore on the SS screw threads, which 
will be removed when I replace the wires. 
> 
> I feel fortunate that no one of our crew of 5 was hurt and that the 
> mishap occurred in the middle of the race course and not in traffic at 
> the start or when rounding the committee boat mark.  Wire tension is 
> something I will check twice per year in the future!  Rollie 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ken Danko" <ken320 at sbcglobal.net> 
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
> Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 11:16:03 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Steering wire break 
> 
> I'm sorry to hear that you had this experience but glad that no one 
> was hurt. My cable broke a few months back. I had a rigger make two 
> new cables. It only took him a couple of minutes. Even if the rigger 
> is busy, he won't have to take too much time. Take the broken cable to 
> him so that he can match it. 
> 
> Just my 2 cents. 
> 
> Just out of curiosity, where did it break? Can you post photos on the 
> C320 web site? 
> 
> Ken, 
> #802, "Grace" 
> 
> argates2nd at comcast.net wrote: 
>   
>> A new experience today:  steering wire broke while racing & beating 
>> to a mark.  Fortunately the closest boat was about 200 yds behind us in 
20+ mph gusting wind.  He got around us and then we were able to get the 
sails down, get the emergency tiller on, and get off the race couse.  Then 
we jury rigged using two vice grips and tape to steer into our marina with 
the wheel. 
>> 
>> Does anyone know which of these kits from Edson's website we need?  The 
owner's manual only references Fig. 775 kits. 
>> 
>>     
>> 
>> 773 Wire Rope Hardware Kit: 
>> 
>> 187   $53.00 
>> 
>> 250   $58.00 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> We just have 2 Monday's left in our Spring series so I need to get the 
replacement kit quickly and the closest rigger is 40 miles away and he is 
pretty busy.  I have everything apart except one of the 4 bolts below the 
compass where I need to get a bigger phillips head with a square shaft for 
leverage. 
>>   
>>     
> 
>   