Steering failing in F8-9

[restless]

As a few have commented on our avatar, here is the full pic.


This was our 3rd or 4th venture out with our new mac. Brilliant. Hit 9.4Kts, steady F8 gusting 9. However it was more than the steering could take so the finale of the trip ended in reprimands from the Southampton harbour master along the lines of 'boats this size shouldn't be out in winds this big'. We also had a tow across a major shipping lane by a coastguard patrol who were wandering by looking for some excersize.
As newbies we had yet to learn about being overly scared. The wife did complain that making tea was rather irkesome, what with it spilling around and being blown out of the mug. She's also insisted that I install some form of heating/drying facility as she finds wet clothing rather disagreeable. As well as resolving the confounded steering issues. Each previous venture had resulted in a pin or bracket failing, inevitably as the wind got to about F6. Thankfully she held a stiff upper lip and shall continue in the capacity of first officer. The helm is now fit for storms so I've got a galley to build. I'll post the mods as they evolve.. This is a great site, alot of skill and knowledge. I suppose one of the things with a mac is that in many ways you get a blank canvas.

For some of the other shots I have a makeshift collection on facebook for those that may be interested...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9 ... 0b5dde1adf

Best wishes for the new year all round.

Björn & Mandy Sjöling, Restless UK

[restless]

Oh what a confounded fool.. I beg your pardon, this is the correct image, the one where I've thrown a sheet before getting another knockdown...

[bastonjock]

Well done that you came throught it without injury,i had my steering fail and the coastguard had to tow me in.

I dont think that the steering is designed to take the hammering of an F8,i upgraded mine to a 250hp rated cable .

[restless]

Aye, the coastguard said they had seen more than ours with the same problem.
We went hydraulic.. lovely setup from an Australian outfit. Each rudder bracket has another 10 gussets welded in as well...

[Don T]

Hello,
Those are the early brackets circa 95~96. MacGregor had upgraded versions of these with heavier aluminum and more substantial gussets. There is a ratio change with the new brackets due to the "arm being shortened.

Don

[restless]

Hi Don
I think I'll stick with my upgrade..

While I was at it I came to the conclusion that the pins into the steering bow were also simply revolting, so sleeved them up with slightly larger bolts..


As well as moving the engine link closer to the center of turn.(shorter draglink) The engine and rudders almost move together now.. does help!

Didn't know the geometry changed on the later ones. I've got some rose joints to go on when more pressing mods are out of the way

[Laika 26X]

"TERMINATOR" Grade hardware, I love it!

I've been looking for a good hydraulic system myself.

Fess up Björn, spill the beans on that

lovely setup from an Australian outfit.

.
Who are they? Got contact info or URL to share?

Really good stuff from that picture.

FWIW, I feel your First Mates pain regarding

that making tea was rather irkesome, what with it spilling around and being blown out of the mug.

You saw from FB with me it's coffee that I have to deal with on a good seaway. Gotta have my coffee!!

"Sub" Ed Tordahl (A Scandinavian brethren)

[restless]

Hei Ed

http://www.hydrive.com.au/ is where it's at, though I can't find the really cunning contraption that makes the whole fitting a cinch.
Here is a link to a post I put on our UK site.
http://community.macgregorowners.org.uk ... t/302.aspx
I'll get more details of the bits from my supplier if you like.. I gave an awful lot of thought to this project and am very happy with its performance so far. It came as a kit, uk price of £570. I don't ever disconect the engine unless there's an emergency, and though folk talk of helm-feedback being lost, I really don't like I'm missing out on anything.

Cheers All

[waternwaves]

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[waternwaves]

That must be it......

I sail now with a swedish admiral...... that must explain all the equipment breaking now. It could not have anything to do with my maintenance of course.

btw.... those brackets and the rudders can break even after the reweld......... all 3 of mine have broken and been rewelded. and 2 of the 3 rudders I have been repaired and strengthend. )probably why the brackets broke the second time.

I like the picture of the cockpit with your admirals feet on the combing walls........(seatbacks) looks so much more nautical standing on the inside of the boat.

[Russ]

Great pictures. Crazy conditions.

Who took them?


--Russ

[restless]

I kicked my Admirer off the boat and onto a 46footer for the return leg as conditions were worse than the day before, so she and a friend of hers (Toni) so the action shots were taken from a rather more stable platform! (the boat that is..not her friend.. I'm not making any allegations about Swedish Admirals!)
It would have been a perfect sail if the steering had not kept getting stuck.. very exhilirating.

[waternwaves]

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[waternwaves]

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[waternwaves]

not to upset you............

but you need to disconnect and examine the steering cable connected to the motor. something does not sound quite right. The only thing that ever binds up the steering is the steering control cable. If you have high resistance with your new steering system......it is probably not the brackets.

yes.......
commenting about swedish admirals.......can be dangerous. They might go buy an island, or find a spare 3 iron. or?????

Note to all. I sail with a very capable swedish admiral quite adept at raising any and all sails on the boat, As well as making a great sandwiches. She is even crazy enough to sail with me when I dont have the heater fuel in the boat.

and all the other stories I deny completely.

Time to go down to the boat now. I think it is my turn to fix dinner, and then go look online for fiberglass beams for supporting the new head configuation suspended under the starboard cockpit bench.