[C320-list] Fwd: Wheel Steering Safety Notice

[Larry Frank]

Doug is definitely correct.  No argument from me.

On 7/28/15, 8:22 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
>