Macgregor 26M Steering wheel lock

[Idiotfool]

Hi, all.

I found an old thread indicating a part number for the steering wheel lock for the Mac and I ordered it. I finally had a little free time today to see if I could install it, but I've got some issues. I was able to remove the steering wheel, but the directions indicate I need to do something to support the steering shaft to prevent it from dropping and damaging things. The problem is that my motor control is in the access hatch. I have no idea how this was installed, since everything is larger than the hole.

Do I need to actually secure the steering shaft to prevent things from dropping?

Any thoughts on what I can do about the motor control/throttle?

Thanks!

[Russ]

It's been a while since I installed the wheel "brake".
If I recall, you will need to remove those three bolts that hold the steering to the front plate. (see below)
When you do that, the mechanism will drop back and down inside the pedestal.

BTW, you seem to have a left handed motor control. Mine is on the right side of the pedestal. Yours is mounted to the Lexan access panel. That access panel is where I have access to the inside of the pedestal.

[OverEasy]

There’s a technical maritime engineering term for the aspect of having the throttle mounted to the Lexan access panel……” oopsie “.

Putting it there saved making a hole on the starboard side of the pedestal but really made for a complicated throttle quadrant install and servicing issue for ya.

Oh well, it’s just a SNAFU rather than a FUBAR!

Looks like yer gonna hafta figure out how to unthread the quadrant if ya still wanta have that there steering lock installed…. Or not…

There is always an option to bypass using the kit an’ come up with an alternative approach if that’s in yer plans. There are a couple options I believe in the MODs section of the forum.

Something I’ve done on the fly was to use a pair of bungees from the wheel spokes and back around the pedestal to the other side in a criss-cross or up to the loop mounted on the pedestal of our Mac26X. Where there a will there’s a way.

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Idiotfool]

It's been a while since I installed the wheel "brake".
If I recall, you will need to remove those three bolts that hold the steering to the front plate. (see below)
When you do that, the mechanism will drop back and down inside the pedestal.

BTW, you seem to have a left handed motor control. Mine is on the right side of the pedestal. Yours is mounted to the Lexan access panel. That access panel is where I have access to the inside of the pedestal.

Yes. This left handed setup is awful.

So, yes, the steering mechanism will definitely drop when I remove the shaft? That sucks for me...

[Idiotfool]

There’s a technical maritime engineering term for the aspect of having the throttle mounted to the Lexan access panel……” oopsie “.

Putting it there saved making a hole on the starboard side of the pedestal but really made for a complicated throttle quadrant install and servicing issue for ya.

Oh well, it’s just a SNAFU rather than a FUBAR!

Looks like yer gonna hafta figure out how to unthread the quadrant if ya still wanta have that there steering lock installed…. Or not…

There is always an option to bypass using the kit an’ come up with an alternative approach if that’s in yer plans. There are a couple options I believe in the MODs section of the forum.

Something I’ve done on the fly was to use a pair of bungees from the wheel spokes and back around the pedestal to the other side in a criss-cross or up to the loop mounted on the pedestal of our Mac26X. Where there a will there’s a way.

Best Regards
Over Easy

Yes. Lots of weird decisions made on this boat. My mast is locked to prevent rotating, there are two penetrations for the engine, and the throttle is taking up my access panel. With it being left handed, the throw is very oddly responsive. It's nothing and then wham! Full throttle!

Few stupid decisions from the previous owners except a sump pump I hate. It's the professional work that is the real strange stuff.

[Idiotfool]

There’s a technical maritime engineering term for the aspect of having the throttle mounted to the Lexan access panel……” oopsie “.

Putting it there saved making a hole on the starboard side of the pedestal but really made for a complicated throttle quadrant install and servicing issue for ya.

Oh well, it’s just a SNAFU rather than a FUBAR!

Looks like yer gonna hafta figure out how to unthread the quadrant if ya still wanta have that there steering lock installed…. Or not…

There is always an option to bypass using the kit an’ come up with an alternative approach if that’s in yer plans. There are a couple options I believe in the MODs section of the forum.

Something I’ve done on the fly was to use a pair of bungees from the wheel spokes and back around the pedestal to the other side in a criss-cross or up to the loop mounted on the pedestal of our Mac26X. Where there a will there’s a way.

Best Regards
Over Easy

Yes. Lots of weird decisions made on this boat. My mast is locked to prevent rotating, there are two penetrations for the engine, and the throttle is taking up my access panel. With it being left handed, the throw is very oddly responsive. It's nothing and then wham! Full throttle!

Few stupid decisions from the previous owners except a sump pump I hate. It's the professional work that is the real strange stuff.

[NiceAft]

So, yes, the steering mechanism will definitely drop when I remove the shaft? That sucks for me...

Try thinking in reverse. What do you think the previous owner needed to do to support the steering mechanism? Is there something from below that needs to be inserted to act as a support. Think outside the box. What would support the mechanism, and what needs to be done to accomplish this before doing anything?

Easy for me to say, but that sort of thinking has helped me solve some head scratching challenges.

[OverEasy]

Hi IdiotFool

Is the throttle quadrant functional operation reversed???
If it is then it adds a whole new definition at as$backards!

It might b time for a bit of oleheadscratchin’ an project planning of the off season.
What I mean is it might be worth the time and efforts involved to get things squared away a bit more conventionally if you have that opportunity…throttle on the starboard side, steering brake installed, general cleanup, etc… of the pedestal.
Would allow you to:
-*- add 12VDC power outlets to the pedestal for future use with a GPS Chartplotter/sonar…
-*- add a foldaway cockpit table
-*- add removable or foldaway cup holders
Are a couple thoughts that come to mind……

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Russ]

Since you are taking the pedestal apart, it might be a time to consider moving the throttle control to the other side.

BTW, I assume you are installing a wheel "brake". It has a barrel knob attached to a screw that clamps down. I was thoroughly disappointed and now never use it. Mine doesn't seem to be very effective and I resort to the old-school bungies.

[Idiotfool]

Hello, again, all!

So, today I was able to open my pedestal up enough to remove the steering assembly to put in the friction brake. And... more trouble. It seems my rack and pinion mountings vertical alignment won't work with the way the mounting plate and bezel were installed.

The Teleflex rack and pinion is designed to be horizontal, if the image on BWYachts is correct, but ours is in the steering post and is vertical. My bezel and mounting plate are set up so that text reads true, but this is 90 degrees off the rack. Since the know for the brake is supposed to be perpendicular to the rack, that means I have to drill new holes to mount my brake in the appropriate orientation.

Joy.

Russ - JimmyT had an image of his brake mounted at the bottom in your thread. How about yours? If at the bottom, what year is your 26M? There may have been a slightly different design of the plastic brake part, once, or others may have a different rack and pinion than mine. If the ears on the plastic part were rotated 90 degrees, then everything would be ok, but I don't know what part that would be (or if it ever existed).

[kurz]

I ordered this braking kit also, but it was not possible to mount. Did not fit.

I did my own brake, easy but good working. Can make pics next time...

[Russ]

My wheel brake has the screw knob on the bottom of the shaft. I don't have a picture. I might go out and check on the boat later today and try and grab a photo.

[Idiotfool]

My wheel brake has the screw knob on the bottom of the shaft. I don't have a picture. I might go out and check on the boat later today and try and grab a photo.

What year is your 26M and do you remember if your rack and pinion looks like mine?

Thanks!

[Idiotfool]

I ordered this braking kit also, but it was not possible to mount. Did not fit.

I did my own brake, easy but good working. Can make pics next time...

What didn't fit any the kit? Just curious. Mine only goes in a certain way and, though it looks like I should be able to rotate 180 degrees, it doesn't work.

[kurz]

Forgot what was wrong...
Still use my own steer brake. Works perfect so far.