MacGregorSailors.com

Just thought I would try a poll to determine failure / non- failure experience on the rotary and rack and pinion type helms.

If you click that you had a failure, any detailed specifics could then be entered in a reply below.

Thought this would capture a failure rate and not just the occasional report of a failure.

Failure reports should be limited to the helm actuator and cable system. (excluding things like rudder heads for example).

Why not do it from a Detmar vs. Teleflex system for R/P

Rack and pinion on a 2002X. Never had a problem.

Jesse

Ok, I am a relatively new 26M owner (infact I haven't yet taken my boat out on the water) and I don't know much about sailboats. How do I know if I have rack in pininon stearing or some other type?

I appreciate any help.

Thanks

Rich

RichandLori wrote:Ok, I am a relatively new 26M owner (infact I haven't yet taken my boat out on the water) and I don't know much about sailboats. How do I know if I have rack in pininon stearing or some other type?

I appreciate any help.

Thanks

Rich

I believe all the M's have R&P. You can tell by looking in the pedestal and finding the piece that the helm is attached to. If it's long and narrow, it's the rack. If it's fat and round, it's a rotary.

RichandLori wrote:Ok, I am a relatively new 26M owner (infact I haven't yet taken my boat out on the water) and I don't know much about sailboats. How do I know if I have rack in pininon stearing or some other type?

I appreciate any help.

Thanks

Rich

Something like this:
Rack and Pinion

I had the cable freeze on my Detmar R&P. Impossible to lubricate inside the cable so not my fault. Replaced with Teleflex. Much easier now.

It sounds like we could use a new mod category called "steering mods."

It would be interesting to hear about how folks have upgraded their steering.

So far the results are suprising me. Seems like both steering types have a pretty high failure rate, assuming that the voting is statistically representative of owners. Also I'm a bit suprised that the rack and pinion failure rate is that high, epsecially given that it is on the newer models which resumably have not seen as much service. Then again, if something is defective and going to fail it will probably happen in the first few years of use, so maybe that is the reason.


For those that have had failures, a quick reply saying if it was the cable or the gear stuff would be helpful as well. Thanks for voting.

The rod inside the guide tube corroded from salt water exposure and prevented the cable from sliding--wheel locked in place. MacGregor replaced at no charge. Coated the new rod with grease and sealed the end of the guide tube. No more problems.

I have not had a failure, but when I first took possession, the steering was very stiff. I loosenned a holding clamp on the cable inside the cabin and has worked fine since.

Casey
'98
Good Winds Karma

One failure of a steering component on a sail boat is ONE too many.

I have a 99 26x and the booklet I have pertains to MORSE steering. I don't know if its rack and pinion, or rotary steering. Anyone know that it is? Its worked fine for six seasons anyway.

I believe Morse was rotary. It is easy to tell by looking inside the pedestal. The rack and pinion will have a long rack in there, while the rotary type is smaller and the cable goes in and wraps around the thing.

The failure rates are much higher than I expected. Although even the big expensive boats like the Whitbead 60s experience their share of steering failures. Of course they are sailing 24-7 around the world in all the nasty storms and stuff and pushing their equipment to the limits.

97x,#903 no problems yet,but after watching this tread i believe it is coming