Steering system "pod" alternatives??

[Chris Patterson]

This is not an attempt to blast Edson, as they no doubt make some beautiful equipment. Some of it in my misconstrued opinion is grossly overpriced. A plastic box? C'mon...
I'm needing to mount a Raymarine XP-5 control head, and I'm sorry, I'll duct tape it to the helm before I buy that high-dollar box it mounts in. I saw a "home-built" one one time, that I can't seem to reproduce from memory. It seemed to incorporate an electrical box of some type, that was very neatly done. Wish I could remember it...

To me, buying such stuff is the intellectual equivalent to owning an S-10 pickup truck, but it says "Hummer H3", just so you can impress the neighbors about how much money you can throw away at silly things. Which typically tells me what I want to know about a persons personality. Anyway...

Any thoughts on this one?

 

[Ken Cross]

I'm not sure what you saw, but I'd think of building one. Plastic, teak, fiberglass, all workable materials.

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Two comments Chris, one serious, the other not so much. You can pick which is which.

Comment 1
Contact Minney's in Newport Beach, CA. I was there a week ago and they have Edson pods on the shelf including mounting plates and they're cheeeeeeeep.

Comment 2
You can always make your own. Keep track of the material cost, the cost of tooling and the time invested, then compare to commercially available pods. An advantage you have over Edson is you're not paying for a several thousand square foot manufacturing facility, liability and workers comp insurance, engineering department, accounting staff, customer service staff and a sizable advertising budget.

Disclaimer
I'm probably the cheapest guy on this forum so it's a salvage yard like Minney's for me first.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Chris, the high prices are all MY fault. I've been able to convince Edson to keep their prices as high as a kite so skippers refrain from building big boxes on top of their binnacles which only serve to block the view and impede the enjoyment of sailing.

 

[Sailm8]

A friend on mine made a new automatic anchor light for his masthead from a PVC electrical junction box with cover.

I always though I could mount something on a section of 6 inch pvc with an end cap.

 

[Steve Dion]

Have you checked out Zarcor. I believe that they sell some of their stuff on the website.

 

[Ted]

Steering system pod alternatives

I used some project boxes to mount my instruments at the pedestal. I also used them to keep the back of the instruments that are mounted in the main bulkhead waterproof. These boxes are made of polycarbonate and have a fully gasketed removable back which is held in place with stainless steel screws which are held captive to the back cover. These boxes are UV stable and waterproof. I cut holes in the face to accept my Raymarine ST60 instruments and joined multiple boxes with gasketed connector blocks that I fabricated with starboard. I don't have any detailed photos of the installation but here are some of the finished project.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Yeah, snot..

I guess in retrospect, a picture on this one may have been worth the time, IF my dumb a** had thought to take one. I sort of winced a little about Stu's comment, because he is correct. That, and he hates me. Anyway, a simple uncluttered pedestal with a compass, and a wheel appeals to my sense of aesthetics. Sadly this boat isn't that way. I have yet to decommission the clutter of stuff that is on this thing now, including outboard speakers, plotter, remote mics, cupholders, electric crotch warmer, and gamma ray laser power boat incinerator control station, WITH digital readout. It's a mess.
Photo forthcoming I hope.
Busy, busy week.


Nuther thing. You too are correct as well Neil. I promise you I'm not dying to build some convoluted time consuming contraption. Truth told, I didn't even consider the used market. Duh..

 

[Old Skool Neil]

I spoke from experience Chris. I have enough monuments to myself that would have cost the same or less had I bought in the first place but like you, I have a no-retail gene. I confess too, sometimes it's just plain fun to make it yourself.

I'll be in the vicinity of Minney's tomorrow, could reconnoiter for ya. Lemme know what you're after, one pod or two, binnacle guard or not, etc. Here's a pic or two of mine as a place to start, positively or negatively, it's all good info. I won't be offended in the least if you hate it.

 

[PSC 31]

Chris:

I had the same reaction as you did when I installed a new Raymarine wheelpilot so I made my own pod from a specialized electrical box. Good Old Boat ran my article about it in the May/June 2912 issue.

Al Lorman

 

[RAD]

I didn't have any room in my overpriced plastic box so I took a small piece of ipe and mounted my controller to it then got a couple of plastic tubing clips and mounted it to the pedestal guard above the overpriced plastic box

 

[Stu Jackson]

Rad's picture points out a VERY important feature: he made the handrail at the top of the binnacle guard still accessible. I've seen soooo many "navigation mounts" that completely cover that very important handrail and make it useless. I do a lot of singlehanded sailing, and I'll tell ya, I wouldn't be without that handhold for anything, even if someone gave me radar and AIS and any newfangled electronics for FREE along with a Publishers Clearing House and/or winning lottery ticket.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Yep, right again Stu. The top of mine is still at this point "grab-able", so yeah, it does need to be left undisturbed.

And Al got it right. In May/June 2012 G.O.B. I'm an info junkie, but my "filing system" is reminiscent of Dr. Seuss. Anyway, with that clue I located it. If Mr.Lorman won't brag on it, I will. I read this article with keen interest, and it was an outstanding piece. I'm also of the type that if it can be constructed relatively simply to some degree, and still look good in the end, I'm on board with that. Form does follow function.
I might try this; Maine Sail P.M.ed me, and said to just 5200 it to something close by, that's what he did.

On a side note, if anyone fools with these things much, I've been having a rash of pedestal issues lately, 4 different ones in a month, (that includes mine). On these 335/336 Edson pedestals, to get that cable clamp up out of it, you may as well count on loosening the cables. The book says that sometimes this can be accomplished by turning the wheel, and letting the chain "assist" it in coming up. On the plastic clamps, and the aluminum ones as well look like something is going to break before it comes out. Nay nay. I loosen the cables a little, slide the chain up on the brake assy., and the cables will come smooth in and out that way. Take a sharpie and mark your sprocket and chain, and easy back together as well. The pro's at Edson may can do it the other way, but I'm not a big fan of tearing things up while trying to repair them..

One more thing. Before M.S. blows a fuse about the 5200 remark, he most emphatically did not send me a P.M. of any kind, certainly not about the hated glue anyway. And I don't really think that Stu hates me either.
Hard to say..

 

[Ron20324]

Chris: ....it in the May/June 2912 issue. Al Lorman

Most of us can't wait that long, Al.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I might try this; Maine Sail P.M.ed me, and said to just 5200 it to something close by, that's what he did.


One more thing. Before M.S. blows a fuse about the 5200 remark, he most emphatically did not send me a P.M. of any kind, certainly not about the hated glue anyway. And I don't really think that Stu hates me either.
Hard to say..

It is altogether so disappointing that you've actually resorted to using a wee bit o'truth in your rambling incoherent posts.

Those of us who fully support Satan's Glue :cussing: will be coming to get you with a taxi, honey.

 

[alexco38]

Boat #1:

meticulously enhanced by value conscious owner ingeniously using home hardware parts.

Boat #2:
In Bristol condition with professional installed highest quality marine graded equipments.

Sooner or later, you or your estate will have to sell the boat. Wonder which one goes first.

 

[Stu Jackson]

alex, "Professional installed" can mean greatly varying conditions. I've had two "professional trained" guys work on my boat over the past 15 years, and I had to fix the problems they created, even after I told them what they were doing wouldn't work.

Many times, personally installed gear is far superior to those trained professionals. It's almost like the oxymoronic phrase: diesel mechanic. Found a good one lately? I've only found one in the entire SF Bay Area.

For support, see some of the pictures above, those guys have done some NICE work.