steering and compass removal

[Ron Brassord]

I had sloppy steering on my newly acquired C30, and took up the deck plate behind the pedestal and found the wires were a little loose. I tightened them quite tight, and the boat performs much better as does the Autohelm 4000. I just read that there should be some play in the cables? Any opinions? I found the system was loaded with dirt and corrosion, and dry of grease. I cleaned up the area, and slathered on grease. I flushed the compartment and saw the drain directed the water to the bilge. Should it have gone overboard? I wanted to service the top end of the pedestal, but can't figure out how to remove the compass. I started removing the small screws in the top ring, but quickly stopped when I saw an air bubble rise. Later this disappeared, but where? I don't see any other fastenings that could hold the compass base in place. It has to be removable, but how, without breaking something? I hope to oil the chain, and lube the control cable ends. Any help will be appreciated.  I have stripped down all the oiled interior wood, and have 2 or 3 coats of varnish on with spectacular results. The interior of this boat is excellent quality. Good sailing Ron B Lighthouse Point Fl.

 

[Bayard Gross]

Compass diaphram

I am not an expert but I beleive that most compasses have a flexible rubber diaphram on them to allow for expansion and contraction of the damping fluid.Noting your description of the steering mechanism, it seems possible that the compass has never been removed for topside steering maintainence. As such, you may have affected the compass diaphram in some way when you started to unscrew the compass. It is possible the diaphram was pulled and expaned causing the air bubble to appear but then dissappear as the diaphram contracted back.If you have Edson steering, you can go to their web site, Edson.com I think, list the year and make of your vessel, and then indicate if you have all cable or cable and chain, and you will be provided with all the maintainence information.

 

[David]

Should drain out the stern

There are two drain holes out the back of the compartment where the steering quadrant is. They should have drain hoses to a hole lower in the stern so water drains overboard. Problem is that the hoses have a tendancy to fill with sand near the exit overboard as there is never much presure in the water draining out. I simply use a hose and flush till water runs freely. Had to use a coat hanger once. Once a year seems OK but you may need more in Florida.I tighten the cables just sufficiently to take slack out of the wheel but not stress the system or rudder post.. Works fine for me.I will check on the compass when I go down to the boat next but I recall taking out the three screws on the compass and it just lifts up. No effect on the compass itself. Screws go right through compass to screw to the mount/pedestal. There is a power cable from the bottom so need to remove that prior to taking it all the way out.DavidC30 Four Feathers

 

[Ron Brassord]

Steering and compass

I have a propane tank in the stern locker that is in the way of checking the drains, but will try again.  Another question. The deck plate over the quadrant was sealed with a seam compound, and held down with four screws. It was a big mess under when I took up the plate. Should I reseal the seam around the plate, or let the water run in, and out through the drain? Then I could periodically take up the plate and check the cables and clean the compartment? The compass has eight very small screws around the top ring that do nothing when removed. There are also three slightly larger screws in the ring that allowed an air bubble to rise up in the dome when I loosened one. I did not go further and mess up the compass. Thanks for your interest Ron B

 

[David]

don't seal

I do not seal the quadrant as I like to check it several times a year. The only sand that gets in washes in through the cracks but is not an issue if cleaned out regularly. I am not sure why you would even want to seal it. You are right about the drain hose. Another oportunity to work upside down in a small space but that is what you need to do. The three big screws were the ones holdng on the compass, not the small ones.Good Luck.DavidFour Feathers

 

[Ron Brassord]

Steering deck plate

When I bought our C30, the deck plate was sealed tight, preventing removal and inspection. I now see this is wrong. I still do not like the idea of rain water pouring into the seam around the plate.A clog could occur putting a lot of water into the boat, especially here in South Florida. To remedy this, I put a rubber strip on the ledges the plate sits on, and using a heavy cotton string, I caulked the seam all around. This should eliminate most of the water penetration, and allow easy acces. Looking at the compass it seems obvious the larger three screws are whats holding it down, but when I began loosening them a bubble rose up in the dome, then disapeared when I quickly retightened them?? Sometimes it pays to not fix what ain't broken? I still want to service the drive however. Thanks for the advise Ron B