Removing Edson Pedistal

njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,476
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Removing Edson Pedestal

Has anyone removed their steering pedestal? The base sheave plate under the cockpit floor is rusting away and I need to remove and then replace it.
The job looks to be a total PITA as it appears I have to remove to entire pedestal. How long should this take, any tricks?
There have been other posts on this site about these plates rusting out and causing steering loss but I can't find much about actually removing and replacing the pedestal....help :eek:
 
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ENeedz

ENeedz

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Apr 1, 2009
17
Oday 28 Salem, MA
I removed and replaced the pedestal on my 1979 O28 last year. Yes it was a pita. The plywood supporting the cockpit decking had completely rotted away. I had to scrape all of it out and vacuum out the engine compartment. The 4 aluminum bolts were completely frozen and had to be cut and snapped off. The pedestal was removed, cleaned, and repainted. I replaced the plywood with 3/4" marine plywood that I epoxied into place. While the epoxy was still wet and workable I drilled through it to accept the new bolts (not cheap). The backing plate was still good. No corrosion. I also drilled through the plywood to accept the control cables. Just cut out a 3" hole with a hole saw. I then set the pedestal in place and tightened everything with the pedestal bolts. The real trick was get the control cables down through the pedestal and plate. There were 2 for steering, 1 for throttle, 1 for gear shift. Next came mounting the stops for the steering radial. Lots of fun.
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
NJLArry, talk to SailingCal21. He replaced all the plywood under his cockpit. If your sheave plate is all rusting then you have a leak and if you have a leak your wood will be all rotted out. This is also right over your fuel tank which is probably corroding where you can't see it. Several of us have replaced our tanks for this issue. Rebed your pedestal and bolts with butyl tape and it shouldn't ever leak again.
 
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,476
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
The fuel tank is new. Will check the cockpit floor for moisture readings next time at the boat. It was not noticed on the survey but you never know. Job will be bad enough without replacing the plywood too.
Will let you know. Want to get the plate off the boat to be fabricated locally in aluminum or stainless.
 
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,476
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Will need a lot of Edson parts however it appears the sheave base plates are only sold with the sheave assemblies for around $400 and appear to also be made of the same steel. Hoping to get a stainless of aluminum for a lot less.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
njlarry said:
Will need a lot of Edson parts however it appears the sheave base plates are only sold with the sheave assemblies for around $400 and appear to also be made of the same steel. Hoping to get a stainless of aluminum for a lot less.
Click to expand
hate to through cold water on ya ....but....they only make it in mild steel..if you have to have ss then you will have to have it fabricated by a specialty machine shop and it will be pricey ......the old one lasted a long time so i would just go back with the same from edson after all how long to you plan on sailing that boat
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
woodster said:
hate to through cold water on ya ....but....they only make it in mild steel..if you have to have ss then you will have to have it fabricated by a specialty machine shop and it will be pricey ......the old one lasted a long time so i would just go back with the same from edson after all how long to you plan on sailing that boat
Click to expand
if you don't let it get wet it should last a long time. A much cheaper option is to buy the part then have it nickel plated for rust protection. Electro less nickel goes all over , just remove the sheaves first.
 
ggrizzard

ggrizzard

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May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
Larry, here's some warm water:>)

Replaced mine in May and biggest problem was getting to the cable clamps which must be removed to thread cable through the holes in the new plate.
The good news (potentially) is I took the old one made of mild steel to a local machine shop and had a new plate made with SS for $250. The shop re-used the sheaves and also made a full footprint spacer out of non metal composite, included.
Be aware, you must cross the cables inside the pedestal for the steering to work directionally. Edson has a web site with diagrams and instructions:

http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/PDFs/planning/EB381SteeringGuide.pdf

Scroll down to locate your model.

By the way, my plate started rusting before year 10!
 
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,476
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Thank you, warm water is always better! (But sometimes a little cold water necessary.)
Two questions;
What is the footprint spacer used for?
Did you have to remove the pedestal and the rail too? I don't look forward to re-fishing all the electronic cables all though it would be nice to have the pedestal power coated.
Thank you guys for all the help.
 
ggrizzard

ggrizzard

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May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
Original plate was mild steel with stamped ridges outside the holes. I think they were there for rigidity. The shop thought they were for offset due to the sheaves, even though the ridges faced downward.

Yes, you will have to disconnect the guard connector from the binnacle and any cable or wire that passes through the mounting plate, but not the guard itself, unless it is co-mounted on the same plate. Some binnacles are impossible to disassemble and in that case you will have to remove both together. The only wire I had to thread was the compass light and it came through (from the top) the proper hole (The bigger of the three) on the third try using an coat hangar fish.

Don't forget to plan for prep and using proper sealant when you re-install the binnacle. I used shims and Maine Sails' butyl tape. PM me for details.
 
ggrizzard

ggrizzard

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May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
Tried to send a PM but it won't accept.
Larry, have you made any progress?
Thought I'd check before the snow hits and you get iced in! :eek:
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

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May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
I have done it.

Not such a big deal. Of course that is after you manage to find a way to get under there, and find enough room to move your arms.:cussing:
 
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,476
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
gg, sorry haven't gotten back. Having big computer problems. Took some pics of work so far but can't post them. Will cont with post as soon as my "IT" issues are resolved.
Removing the two corner locker liners made acess a lot easier.
 
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