Hunter 386 Steering Lock

[Gary Ryan]

Usually, I use my autopilot, but on the calmer days, I'd rather use the Steering lock so I don't have to hear the autopilot. Can someone tell me if it's just a pin that threads onto the Steering column, or is ours missing something...as it doesn't seem to lock very well.

Thanks,

 

[JoeWhite]

I believe it is like a clamp that tightens around the steering wheel shaft.

 

[Stu Jackson]

What brand of binnacle?

 

[MFD]

A picture would help.

 

[Gary Ryan]

Yes, I'll take a picture this weekend when I'm back at the boat. I should have done that first.

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Gary, different model boat, but our Edson brand steering has a wheel brake knob on the pedestal that keeps the wheel from turning the more you tighten the knob. It does not lock the wheel perse, but creates a friction brake on the steering post inside the pedestal.

 

[kappykaplan]

as it doesn't seem to lock very well.

Sometimes, folks will over torque the wheel brake knob and bend the inner workings of the brake. This results in a completely ineffective wheel brake. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Gary Ryan]

Here are pictures looking up into the steering wheel. I wonder if the guts need to be replaced.

 

[kappykaplan]

I wonder if the guts need to be replaced.

That's what I had to do.

 

[Gary Ryan]

Where would I even look for such parts? I wonder if Sailboat Owners has rebuild kits.

 

[kappykaplan]

Who is the manufacturer of your pedestal?

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Gary. Do you have an Edson brand steering system? Or something else?

 

[Gary Ryan]

I'm not sure. The boat is a 2002 Hunter 386 with the bigger old style console. I'll be back in a week and I will try to find out.