Edson Steering Problem

[sigbear]

Catalina 309 #168, Yesterday while cruising at idle speed in a crowded cove my steering wheel locked up and I had to quickly put the boat in reverse to avoid crashing into another boat.
The steering was fine when I went forward again, however, I tested the steering while at the marina and got it to do it once more, when I quickly turn in the opposite direction it corrects itself and goes back on track.

Any suggestions?

Don

 

[kappykaplan]

Sounds like one (or both) of the cables that go around the quadrant may be loose and came out of the track. I've had this happen a few times, but finally got the cables adjusted properly.

 

[sigbear]

That was my 1st thought, the cables didn't jump the quadrant but were loose so I tightened them. I asked my wife to turn the wheel after tightening and the wheel jammed 1st. try but I couldn't get it to do it again.
How tight should the cables be?, I was afraid to over tighten.

 

[Stu Jackson]

www.edsonmarine.com They have very good installation & operation information.

 

[rk6johnson]

Is it possible you have something fowling your rudder? The steering systems seems pretty robust as long as you don't allow the cables to go loose.

 

[sigbear]

I will be looking at the rudder this weekend, thank you all for the input.

 

[sigbear]

Thought I fixed the Edson Steering problem by tightening the cable, WRONG.

The Bad news:
Backed out of my slip yesterday and lost steering completely, able to through a line to a guy on dock that pulled us in.

The Good News:
I went into the cockpit locker to see the lower part of the steering unit while my wife was moving the steering and I immediately saw that a 4" metal piece was missing 1 of 2 bolts. This piece is bolted to the pedestal pulley/wheel (not sure what it's called) where the end of the cable comes out.

Locktight on both bolts, good and tight, done:dance:

 

[kappykaplan]

Glad the problem is solved.