Edson wheel steering

[jeffmacdonald]

I have recently purchased a 1981 Catalina 30 Tall Rig. The couple of times I have taken it out in Tampa Bay were great except that I had to constently adjust the wheel to stay on a heading. It was like there was to much play or something. Is this normal that I constintly adjust the steering? I could lock in the steering but it would just fall off the heading and if I held the wheel it was like driving an old car that didnt have an alignment.

 

[jeffmacdonald]

I'm replying to my own. All I am asking is if this is normal or not. Even if nobody has a remedy, I just dont want to think I should expect more. I spoke with a friend that has a; I believe a 2002 Catalina 27, and he says he can run around the deck and the boat tracks perfectly with little or no attention. Thanks again Jeff

 

[Stu Jackson]

Slop

We really don't know anything more than the little you've told us. We don't know how good a helmsperson you are, or whether you know how to trim sails. Your C27 friend may be a great sailor and you may be a newbie. All of that contributes to steering. Locking the wheel with the brake without perfectly set sails won't do it. Was it gusty that day? Help us out here. See: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=101369

That said, have you done these two basic things?

1. Taken your boat apart and looked at the steering: cables, quadrant, thimbles, connectors, clamps; does it do that when you're motoring or in the slip?

2. Looked at the Edson website and learned about preventive maintenance? www.edsonmarine.com

Once you've done your homework, maybe you can be more specific and get back to us.

All the best.

 

[jeffmacdonald]

Re: Slop

Thank you for responding. I will start researching with Edson and do some maintenance. Your answer than is that it should track straight with all sails set correctly. Thank you again and I will let you know how things turn out. It's all about the homework!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Good on you!

Your answer than is that it should track straight with all sails set correctly.

It's all about the homework!

Jeff,

Just a clarification on your first quoted sentence here. Almost any that has its sails properly set will sail well to windward. MY C22 and C25 did with their tillers, and our C34 sails itself very well that way. However, wind is constantly changing, so don't assume that once you set it it will go on forever. Notice I also said to windward. Beam and broad reaches and runs won't work as well because of apparent wind changes (you're gong faster on reaches so the apparent wind keeps changing more than going uphill) and waves from runs corkscrewing the boat if the waves are not exactly astern and are on the quarter.

Homework - oops, sorry, shoulda said research! Pretty much the same things, and lots of times here we give folks links to help them pick up what we've learned from the important resources about the equipment on our boats.

All the best.

 

[Bill21761]

Much depends on wind and waves

If the wind is steady and seas are calm (which is never in my experience) the boat should sail relatively straight with the wheel locked. I sail in the Great Lakes where there is almost always chop and variable winds. In these conditions locking the wheel will not hold a course for very long.

 

[jeffmacdonald]

Thanks to everyone, i have since taken my main sail in for some work and I am getting more comfortable with setting the sails. I have figured out how to use my Autohelm 3k and with the feedback and homework I now am able to "set it and forget it" well at least have a drink while sailing. Having a blast in Tampa bay! Jeff