New owner Qs

[Russ]

I understand now that the tension for the forestay/furler is adjusted through the shrouds...

Tom, you have an X with a backstay. So the shroud/forestay tension procedure would not apply to your rig.
The M, without a backstay must rely on the shrouds to tension the forestay for the most part.

Get that backstay attached and see how things work out. All might be perfectly adjusted.

--Russ

[sunshinecoasting]

You honestly don't notice the 200 lb motor flopping back and forth pulling the steering when heeled? You must have the forearms of Popeye With the Ob attached to the steering linkage its a hands on the wheel at all times...without it's one finger steering and in lighter winds the boat will hold course for quite a while with no input. You can even install a $1 auto pilot

Ummmmm, no, my steering is light enough to use one finger with the motor attached, I have a Nissan 50 that when fully raised can turn to 45 deg and not place any load on the steering linkage, in fact I can undo my linkage with the motor at 45 deg turn on full tilt and it almost stays there, it will fall slowly to full turn. I will continue to leave my motor connected at all times, much safer for me.

[seahouse]

Yes Tom, I did mention I was speaking of the M rigging above- but yours was not apparently stock, so could have been any arrangement. Russ has good advice, get the rough layout worked out before worrying about the fine-tuning. That mast looks to be of higher-quality construction than is stock, btw.

The steering disconnect is not essential with some motors – it depends on where the steering pivot point, the tilt pivot point, and the steering lever length on the motor are positioned in relation to each other. The actual weight of the motor is not of significance when these are in balance.

The E-tec also has less tendency to do “the flop” action because of this balanced configuration – at the time of ordering my dealer (to the detriment of his profit line) suggested the quick-connect was not needed, and although skeptical (moi?) I found he was correct, even though, in principal, I might still make a quick-connector for it. And then more to save unnecessary wear: and even then, I would not be making the disconnection except on a long cruise. Note that I have redone the major bearing points in my steering mechanism to reduce friction, lash and leakage, so others may have different results.

But the quick-connector is wayyyy near the bottom of the list now – in my case it's a miniscule improvement compared to many other things that one could spend time doing.

-B.

[tom]

Thanks All...so rigging is sorted, it all fits and works...I just need to unfurl the jib and make sure she works fine....re steering, my motor is a yamaha 50 four stroke (I think its 2006)....out of water steering is very light (ie one finger), in the water its very stiff on turns (tacking for example)...so it could very well be the issue with the brackets but I probably havent got the rudders all the way down either...need to get on the water this weekend to experiment

[Hamin' X]

Yep, sounds like your rudders are trailing behind. I had this same thing happen when I forgot to cleat off the rudder downhauls. Make sure that you use them. The brackets and rudders are not designed to withstand the stress of the rudders not being in a vertical configuration.

~Rich

[Russ]

Ummmmm, no, my steering is light enough to use one finger with the motor attached, I have a Nissan 50 that when fully raised can turn to 45 deg and not place any load on the steering linkage, in fact I can undo my linkage with the motor at 45 deg turn on full tilt and it almost stays there, it will fall slowly to full turn. I will continue to leave my motor connected at all times, much safer for me.

Very interesting. I have little experience with outboards besides my own Suzuki 70. I assumed that they all flop over when tilted.
It seems this phenomenon is motor dependent. You and Brian both report well balanced motors that do not exhibit this problem.

So maybe the disconnect is not essential on all motors. Makes me wish my motor was balanced better so I didn't have to disconnect it when sailing.

Tom, I feel you are well on your way. Glad to hear it is being sorted. Now we want to hear of your sailing adventures and some more pics enjoying your boat.
Welcome to the forum BTW. I like my pizza with sausage and pepperoni (newest member buys the pizza). I found this place years ago and find it to be an invaluable source of advice and information.

--Russ

[dlandersson]

And pizza!!!

Welcome to the forum BTW. I like my pizza with sausage and pepperoni (newest member buys the pizza). I found this place years ago and find it to be an invaluable source of advice and information.--Russ

[Russ]

Hey Tom,
I found this in another thread.

Looks like yours doesn't it? You have the correct setup.



--Russ

[tom]

Yes it does Pizza is definitely on me