Frank Langer
1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
Hi,
I have a simple question that I ponder from time to time, for which I'm sure there is no easy answer. Everything on our boat is working well, has been maintained quite well, with careful records over the years. One task I have not done in our 12 years of ownership is to disassemble the cable/quadrant steering mechanism to examine each piece--sheaves, bushings, etc. I have regularly oiled the pedestal chain, oiled the sheave bushings and the cable, checked the cable tension and checked/tightened the nuts on the rudder stops. The wheel steering works fine, is smooth, with no grinding or sign of problems.
I am contemplating undoing the cable to enable me to turn the sheaves by hand to check friction, perhaps even remove the cotter pins to take the sheaves and bushings off to inspect more closely. Nigel Calder in his Bible advises against doing unnecessary preventive maintenance, but doing repairs at the first sign of any problem. That would suggest that I leave well enough alone, enjoy the boat as is, have a beer and go sailing. But the cautious, curious part of me is still wondering if there could be a potential problem lurking in those sheaves or bushings that should be examined before it shows itself at an inopportune time.
Any thoughts or advice as to whether to leave well enough alone in this case until there is some indication of wear or friction, or would you go ahead and disassemble it to check and be sure? I'm trying to keep our boat in her current great condition, and want to avoid trouble at inopportune times, but have been known by my wife and adult kids to be "a bit over the top".
I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts, as always!
Frank
I have a simple question that I ponder from time to time, for which I'm sure there is no easy answer. Everything on our boat is working well, has been maintained quite well, with careful records over the years. One task I have not done in our 12 years of ownership is to disassemble the cable/quadrant steering mechanism to examine each piece--sheaves, bushings, etc. I have regularly oiled the pedestal chain, oiled the sheave bushings and the cable, checked the cable tension and checked/tightened the nuts on the rudder stops. The wheel steering works fine, is smooth, with no grinding or sign of problems.
I am contemplating undoing the cable to enable me to turn the sheaves by hand to check friction, perhaps even remove the cotter pins to take the sheaves and bushings off to inspect more closely. Nigel Calder in his Bible advises against doing unnecessary preventive maintenance, but doing repairs at the first sign of any problem. That would suggest that I leave well enough alone, enjoy the boat as is, have a beer and go sailing. But the cautious, curious part of me is still wondering if there could be a potential problem lurking in those sheaves or bushings that should be examined before it shows itself at an inopportune time.
Any thoughts or advice as to whether to leave well enough alone in this case until there is some indication of wear or friction, or would you go ahead and disassemble it to check and be sure? I'm trying to keep our boat in her current great condition, and want to avoid trouble at inopportune times, but have been known by my wife and adult kids to be "a bit over the top".
I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts, as always!
Frank
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