Edson wheel adjustment!
- Thread starter Growl
- Start date
If this is a new development, my suspicion is that there is some obstacle inhibiting the steering quadrant turning to port. Perhaps a fender or dockline or some other piece of gear has fallen into the stern, partially blocking the gear. It that not it, then something else must be out of line, you should not need such a radical adjustment.
How many total turns do you normally have from "lock to lock"?
If normally 3-1/2 turns total then perhaps your cable slipped on the quadrant.
If normally 3-1/2 turns total then perhaps your cable slipped on the quadrant.
Right. That's 3-1/2 total. Is that normal or did you in the past get 5 or 6 or 7 or something else total?
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,753
Look over the stern and check that the rudder is in inline with the boat keel. When it is inline the boat will travel a straight course in calm waters/no current. That is centered.
Now confirm the location of center on the wheel is where you expect it to be.( I expect center to be on top of the wheel when the rudder is centered.)
If it is all is good.
If not the you need to make an adjustment.
Let us know what you discover.
Now confirm the location of center on the wheel is where you expect it to be.( I expect center to be on top of the wheel when the rudder is centered.)
If it is all is good.
If not the you need to make an adjustment.
Let us know what you discover.
Yes. They should be even.
While your are following up on Jssailem's tip do take a look and see that nothing is blocking the steering as Sailfanatic suggested.
Here is a manual about Edson steering systems. It may not be for yours but it might give you some ideas.
https://edsonmarine.com/content/EB381SteeringGuide.pdf
And some general info from Edson on cable tension:
I agree with jssailem, he’s got good a point.
On my 340, I remove the wheel to store the boat during the winter. When I put it back on in the spring, I usually (9 times out of 10) I put it on backwards. I’ve always meant to mark the front and back but haven’t gotten a-round-to-it just yet (22 years). I’m working on it.
Okay, that said, when it is on “backwards” I lose about a full turn to the port. Meaning, the rudder isn’t centered to the boat. If I center the rudder and reverse the wheel I get a full 2 1/2 - 3 turns on each side.
Check your alignment first before adjusting the system, is my advice.
BUT, check for anything that may be blocking the steering rod and mechanisms, also.
On my 340, I remove the wheel to store the boat during the winter. When I put it back on in the spring, I usually (9 times out of 10) I put it on backwards. I’ve always meant to mark the front and back but haven’t gotten a-round-to-it just yet (22 years). I’m working on it.
Okay, that said, when it is on “backwards” I lose about a full turn to the port. Meaning, the rudder isn’t centered to the boat. If I center the rudder and reverse the wheel I get a full 2 1/2 - 3 turns on each side.
Check your alignment first before adjusting the system, is my advice.
BUT, check for anything that may be blocking the steering rod and mechanisms, also.
Something jamming the quadrant would be my first guess as Sailfanatic suggested. If not I’d check the chain in the pedestal to see if somehow the chain / cable connection is misaligned and running into the sprocket or something. It sounds like your boat tracks straight when the wheel is centered, which would mean it’s not a wheel or quadrant alignment issue.
