Association Forum - Steering Conversion Failure Issue

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Steering Conversion Failure Issue

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/27/2010 : 18:08:48

A conversion kit issue has come to my attention that raises some concern about those conversions made on the pull/pull two cable systems. The kits supply two short sections of stainless chain that are added to the existing chain to provide for the increased steering ratio.

Today a report came that a section of that chain had a failure and upon inspection another link showed a crack.

The chain was bought several years ago on Ebay. When it came, it was discovered to be used chain though I did not see any integrity issues and used it to fill all orders on the pull/pull conversions until recently exhausting the supply.

The single cable conversions are not affected because they required no chain.

The latest shipment to Kentucky is not affected because new chain was shipped with that kit.

While this is the only report of failure that has been brought to my attention, prudence would suggest that those conversions to pull/pull systems be inspected for any cracking of the two supplied chain sections. What is not known is if there was general fatigue of the used chain or if a specific area of chain may have been overstressed.

Unfortunately, inspection will require some effort. The following steps are required.
<ul><li>Remove compass</li><li>Remove pin from rudder arm extension</li><li>Loosen tension adjusters</li><li>Disengage cable from two outer sheaves</li><li>Lift chain from pedestal sprocket</li><li>Inspect the chain for any cracking</li><li>Replace chain sections if any cracking is observed</li><li>Replace chain to sprocket</li><li>Reinstall cable on sheaves</li><li>Readjust the cable tensioners</li></ul>

I've new chain on hand and would be glad to send replacement sections for any that either shows cracking or if other reports of cracking, for all supplied sections. It would be helpful and greatly appreciated that reports of inspections be posted or reported to me so that we might get a feel for whether the problem was an isolated section of chain or if there is general need for concern.

Unfortunately, my data base of who purchased kits was lost back in May of '08 and while I've contacted all purchasers since that hard drive crashed, this forum is the best place to communicate the issue to reach those previous to that date. While the majority of conversions were to single cable systems, a fair amount of two cable systems have gotten a conversion. It was and remains my hope that the conversions would be not only far superior in performance but far less prone to failures than the original systems.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

N/E Texas and Great Lakes
Arlyn's Sailing Site

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 04/28/2010 04:20:49

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.