R&R steering radial

[fox islander]

Has anyone ever removed and replaced the steering radial? How nasty a job is it? It looks a little daunting. I have a 1-1/2" diam. hole...have no idea how it got there...in the side of the steering compartment at about the same level as the drain, directly under the radial...net result is any water getting into the compartment is quickly sent to the bilge. I'm planning on a fiberglass repair for the hole, but would rather repair it from the open compartment side, where it would seem to be easier to make waterproof, rather than from underneath the compartment (see pic). Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[rbmcintire]

I think someone made the hole as a drain. If you plug it, your radial could become immersed in water. Is there any way you could install a barbed shower drain fitting in the bottom of the compartment, attach a hose to it and then run the hose to something? One of the cockpit drain hoses? Think about keeping it "plumbed" so cockpit water doesn't go up it?

Rob

 

[fox islander]

...the floor of the compartment has two levels...a higher level, sloped aft that you can easily see in the compartment photo and a lower level beginning just after the centerline of the radial and running aft. The drain is still in place on the opposite lower level wall as the one with the hole. So if I glass her up, the compartment should still drain as designed. That being said, two drains wouldnt hurt either and could be easily teed into the existing drain line. Guess my main question is can I get a reasonably waterproof glass plug installed from the underside, so i dont have to remove the radial. I'm handy with tools but have never worked with fiberglass.

 

[rbmcintire]

Well, if you already have a functioning drain, I wouldn't install another. Now, my wild-ass, unfounded and unsolicited guess is that some P.O. wanted to get a look at what was under the radial for some reason...maybe to clear the drain? But anyway, back to the issue at hand: epoxy and fiberglass is not hard at all. Read up at West System, pick your materials and devise your plan. You could even practice on a cardboard box and find you don't have to remove the radial.

Rob

 

[Bob4203]

The hole appears to be huge looking at the photo! Its an easy patch work for a hole an inch and a half if you decide to use a patch cut to size like plastic, piece of stainless or non-rusting stiff material. You do not necessarily have to use fiberglass as once you cut a patch to fit you can use a two part epoxy mix like MarineTex to weld the patch in place. Lots of waterproof stuff on the market. Using fiberglass can be a messy business if your in a tight confined space. If you have access to both sides of the hole even better. It will be a piece of cake...............But I do agree with some that a second drain will really help here. Its tough to fully waterproof that cover in the cockpit and that tiny drain for the radial gets clogged easily. I often back flush from the transom side to clear out the debris. A second and larger drain would be fine. A male hose barb fitting with a fabricated outer ring would be easy to epoxy in. You'll have to get creative, but your only dealing with a small hole. Good luck and keep us posted.

Bob
'88 Mark II

 

[fox islander]

...thanks for the info. I'm going to try a glass repair this weekend...lots of advice at west system. It IS a big hole...about fell over when I found it. Pretty sure its my biggest source of bilge water. Cheers.