No Brake on steering pedestal

A

Atrecess402

.
Dec 31, 2020
6
Hunter 28.5 Centerport
I just recently took ownership of a Hunter 28.5. It has a Merriman pedestal that does not have a brake, which makes for constant self correcting. I was wondering if there are any conversions, tricks, or general ideas of how i can correct this without buying a new 2000 dollar pedestal?
Thank you for any advice and Happy New Year.
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Welcome aboard, @Atrecess402

Now that is unusual for a wheel steering system to NOT have a break. Is there a location that looks like it had one at one time? Here is a manual on the Marriman. Page 10 shows the breaking system. Maybe it is just missing, but I am sure Hunter would not have installed the pedestal without a break.
 
Richard19068

Richard19068

.
Jun 11, 2004
1,700
Oday 31 Redondo Beach
Atrecess402 said:
I just recently took ownership of a Hunter 28.5. It has a Merriman pedestal that does not have a brake, which makes for constant self correcting. I was wondering if there are any conversions, tricks, or general ideas of how i can correct this without buying a new 2000 dollar pedestal?
Thank you for any advice and Happy New Year.
Click to expand
Will this work?

Hunter 28.5 wheel brake

Hunter 28.5 wheel brake
shop.hunterowners.com shop.hunterowners.com
 
A

Atrecess402

.
Dec 31, 2020
6
Hunter 28.5 Centerport
Not sure, because the pedestal was never designed for a brake, or at least did not leave the factory with one. Though with modification that is possibility. Thank you for your reply.
 
Roland5048

Roland5048

.
May 12, 2004
1,505
Hunter Cherubini 30 New Port Richey
The Merriman pedestal on my ''77 h30 does not have a break, either. There is some sort of plug on the starboard side that looks like it plugs a hole that could be for the installation of a break. Never really missed the break in my 24 years of ownership. I just like steering her by hand so no problem there.
 
C

chip veres

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Nov 30, 2020
79
Macgregor 22 Dania, FL
The ancient solution was a loop of line that could quickly be dropped over a wheel spoke. Not what you want but better than nothing.

Chip V.
s/v Sand Dollar
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,268
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
A helm brake is a poor mans autopilot.

You can also accomplish the task with a length of surgical tubing and a couple hooks.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,268
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Welcome to SBO. Where we are all boat owners, so financial challenge is in our DNA.
You will soon learn about the term BOAT as you start playing with your Hunter....
BOAT (when it comes to repairs - Break Out Another Thousand $).:yikes:
 
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dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,325
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
A brake is mostly useful to keep the wheel and rudder from banging around. It can also be used to hold the helm steady for a short time while sailing, however, wind and waves will defeat it quickly.

To prevent the rudder from banging in the slip or at anchor, just tie it off with a piece of line or get creative with some bungee cord.
 
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Davidasailor26

Davidasailor26

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May 17, 2004
5,445
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
dlochner said:
It can also be used to hold the helm steady for a short time while sailing, however, wind and waves will defeat it quickly.
Click to expand
I think that depends. On a reach or run yes constant adjustment will be needed even with a brake. But on a beat if the sails are properly trimmed in reasonable conditions I can go 15 minutes without touching the wheel.
 
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jon hansen

jon hansen

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May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
i use the brake constantly while helming. not as a stop, but as a dampner. it takes 90% of the tork in a big seaway, i just give the extra 10%. i have a huge rudder, the brake/dampner is a great tool to use to drive all day without getting tired.
the lasiest helmsman is always the best helmsman. find that centerpoint of the wheel for the set of the sails and do slight changes from there.
98% of all wheelsman on the sailboats i see "way over steer" and it's slow to boot.

watch a video of dennis conners driving a race. he never moves the wheel.

OP, get a brake, learn to use it as a dampner, you will love it.
 
jon hansen

jon hansen

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May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
my best time for not touching the wheel on aeolus, close hauled, was eight hours. it's a game i play with myself.
off the wind a dampened wheel is much less tiring.
 
jon hansen

jon hansen

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May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
a sailboat steers with it's sails, the rudder is just for trim. it's a fact.

watch how these boys drive. very light touch


 
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dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,325
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
@jon hansen What you say is of course quite accurate, however, there are a couple of pieces to the puzzle you left out. Hull form and keel shape make a big difference in how well the boat tracks. Long deep keels track better than short wing keels, hulls with wide flat aft sections do not track as well as classic S&S, Alden and other CCA rule boats.

This summer we raced across Lake Ontario in light and flukey air. I took a break from the helm and let a crew member drive. He was trained in the Navy and when given a course he steered it. He just couldn't get the idea that you have to sail to the wind and keep the boat moving in light air (5 knots and under). By the time he got the boat up to speed, the wind would shift, he'd hold course and we'd be dead in the water. In those conditions, you sail the wind first, the course second and don't move the helm, just 2 fingers.

We won the race mostly because we were the only boat in our division that finished. So we were first and last at the same time.
 
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A

Atrecess402

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Dec 31, 2020
6
Hunter 28.5 Centerport
Uhhhhhhh......that was a very detailed story. Sounded like an even better story over a pint, but my boat still pulls to the left.lol
 
D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,325
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Atrecess402 said:
Uhhhhhhh......that was a very detailed story. Sounded like an even better story over a pint, but my boat still pulls to the left.lol
Click to expand
Pulling to the left tempts a political comment, however, given we are on the eve of a new year and Phil might spank me again, I'll resist temptation. ;)

However if your boat consistently pulls to one side or another, something is amiss.

The first issue is likely rig tuning. Is the masthead centered over the midline of the boat? Is the mast straight? Are the cap shrouds and lowers evenly tensioned side to side?

Does the boat list? Is weight evenly distributed athwartship?

Is the keel centered and straight? (Don't laugh, I know of a Pearson Flyer that had its keel cut off and then reattached, they didn't quite get it centered and straight. On one tack she could point higher than anybody else, on the other tack, well not so much. Last I heard the boat was still sailing down south.)

Is the rudder centered? Is the rudder post straight?

Since the error is consistent, pulls to the left, sail trim is less likely an issue, although jib leads and the jib track might be part of the problem.

Finally, the story of the race is really about as interesting as 4 bored friends, sitting on a boat, drifting across Lake Ontario, trying not to move to keep the boat stable and moving. If you're buying, I've got better stories. ;):beer:
 
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Atrecess402

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Dec 31, 2020
6
Hunter 28.5 Centerport
New Years has clearly started early.

None of the above. There is no friction of any type.

You put a tiller tamer on a tillered boat you get a few seconds to adjust a line or grab a beer. Its a constant hold off wheel under sail or power.
 
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