[C320-list] Fwd: Wheel Steering Safety Notice

[Dennis Harris]

Actually, it's not Catalina Yachts nor Edson who are suggesting that owners 
change out the part in question....it is Catalina Direct, which is a 
completely different company, not belonging to Catalina Yachts.  To me, this 
is just an after market supplier who is trying to make it seem like it's 
something from the builders so he can capture some additional business.  I'm 
a bit surprised that Catalina Direct did this....not quite on the up and up? 
If it were a serious issue, either Catalina Yachts or Edson should/would be 
sending out the directive to replace the part.

Dennis Harris #694

-----Original Message----- 
From: Scott Thompson
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 1:09 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fwd: Wheel Steering Safety Notice

As far as I know Catalina itself has made no recommendation to replace the 
plate. That came from a vendor of parts with a financial interest in selling 
the replacement.



> On Jul 28, 2015, at 10:04 AM, Mike Ott <wmo48 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> It appears after reading most of these threads that some owners feel 
> Catalina has incorporated a design flaw into the C320 steering system.  I 
> disagree.  In an earlier career, I built fiberglass production boats for 
> almost 10 years, for a couple of reputable companies. During those years I 
> saw a lot of quality and a lot of junk in the marketplace.  When boats are 
> designed you use the best available materials, at the best budgeted cost 
> to provide the best function. If you take pride in your workmanship you 
> build the best you can for the bucks available. Since the pedestal 
> steering system is designed to be waterproof corrosion from dissimilar 
> metals probably was not a major concern. Apparently the design worked, my 
> boat is almost 17 years old and I have not experienced any corrosion 
> issues with steering.  So now Catalina is suggesting a replacement for the 
> mild steel plate.  This is not a recall or flaw remedy, its an 
> improvement.  That's how manufacturing works.  If you want  quality 
> production, you continual try to improve it.
> Mike Ott'Amanda Lu'#508
>
>
>     On Tuesday, July 28, 2015 9:22 AM, Doug Treff <doug at treff.us> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> I don't disagree with the points Larry made here - however, before
> embarking on an offshore race, one would think it would be a good idea
> to thoroughly inspect all the boat's vital systems for safety purposes -
> including the steering system. Using Edson's inspection checklist, this
> problem would have been caught and corrected before the race and the
> boat would not have been forced to limp back to port in the first place.
> I submit to you that the owner of that boat did not properly prepare it
> for an ocean voyage if that steering inspection was not done prior to
> departure. I'm sure they thoroughly inspected the rig, engine, and all
> other vital systems. Steering is also a vital system and should be
> treated as such.
>
> <rant>
>
> Some (not you, Larry - the rest of this is addressed at those people)
> have made the point that the design was poor and Edson / Catalina should
> bear some responsibility. That may be so - but the reality of the
> situation is that we now have a known flaw and as long as you perform
> regular inspections, and do everything you can to keep water out of the
> pedestal, these idler plates should last a very long time. When your
> boat is not in use, if you keep the pedestal covered with a Sunbrella
> cover, very little rain water should be getting in there. If you have a
> lot of water coming in through the pedestal, there's probably some other
> problem that also needs to be corrected. On a C320, all you need is less
> than an hour of your time, a screwdriver, and a flashlight to perform
> this steering inspection. If someone isn't mechanically inclined enough
> to be capable of this job, I question whether they should be a boat
> owner at all.
>
> Next, to those others who think boats should be a turn-key hobby with no
> maintenance or periodic inspections being done by the owner - and then
> sue the manufacturer when a part fails... Speak up now so we can put all
> your names in a database and never buy one of your used boats for sale.
> Undoubtedly they will be neglected and will come with lots of deferred
> maintenance.
>
> At a minimum, all vital systems should be inspected and properly
> maintained on an annual basis or you will eventually be sorry - either
> paying financially for a repair, or paying personally in the form of an
> injury or loss. For your own safety, do these inspections or pay someone
> to do them if you don't feel qualified. Boats live in a rough
> environment. Things rub together and chafe. Water gets into places where
> it doesn't belong. Corrosion and rot are common when water intrudes.
> Learn how to recognize the signs and deal with problems early. This is
> part of being a boat owner. Not every problem is a manufacturers defect
> that warrants legal action. Some problems are owner-induced due to poor
> or no maintenance.
>
> </rant>
>
> ---
> Doug Treff
> Catalina 320 - 1996 - September Song - #350
> http://savvysailor.blogspot.com/
> doug at treff.us
>
>> On 2015-07-28 06:47, Larry Frank wrote:
>>
>> I agree with the inspection approach but want to add the following
>> information. I do know of a Catalina 36 that almost had their steering
>> fail because of this problem. What was really problematic was that they
>> were in an offshore race at night in 4-6 foot seas and 20 miles from an
>> inlet. This is not a situation to depend on the emergency tiller as your
>> backup. What happened is that they noticed the sudden development of
>> groaning noises as they helmed the boat. Upon inspection they found the
>> plate in question beginning to flex and buckle due to the loose of
>> material due to corrosion. They were able to limp into port and had to
>> have the plate replaced with a new one supplied from Edison. This was
>> several years ago and I do not remember all of the details but I recall
>> the new plate from Edison was a different material. At this time I was
>> told by the owner that it was a dissimilar metals problem and I believe
>> the explanation is that there were dissimilar metals and seawater present
>> resulting in galvanic corrosion. I can see Edison saying it was a leakage
>> problem because if you did not have any moisture present dissimilar 
>> metals
>> would not corrode. Because our boats are always in a wet or moist
>> environment the use of dissimilar metals in direct electrical contact
>> should always be avoided.
>>
>> Larry
>> WindSwept
>> C320 #246
>
>
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