MacGregorSailors.com

I've been losing sleep about my rack an pinion breaking and leaving me stranded
So here's my cheerful (and very cheap solution) .... My setup is for an with a Merc BF4 but I'm sure this can be adapted to the and other OB's.

Just one rope (6mm / 1/4") about 6.5m (21ft) long and a clamp / clip is required.
Move the Genoa blocks to the back of the tracks. Wrap your rope 3 times around one spoke of the steering wheel. Run each rope end through the blocks, then outside the rear stanchions and straight to the back of the OB. On the BF there two tongues at the back of the case (where it meets the cowl). Put a loop on one tongue and the then ensure the rope is tight before looping the other. Put a clamp or clip on the 3 wraps on the steering wheel spoke (or pinch with your fingers) and the jobs done and works a treat
A 90 degree turn of the wheel turns the OB about 30 degrees but thats not enough to drop the loops on the OB.

Hope these photos speak a 1000 words ....

Very clever and easy to implement with existing stuff

A zip tie or a loop,to connec the two loops would also secure them from coming off?

Catigale wrote:A zip tie or a loop,to connec the two loops would also secure them from coming off?

Nice tip, thanks

Thanks! That's a superb tip for jury-rigging in a pinch. Let's hope none of us ever has to use it!

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

Another option to consider is a boat hook/pole and duck tape. not as elegant but it will get you home.

Neat idea Neo!

I just went outside to try it in the rain, here's my on-the-trailer review...

First attempt: Wound line three times around steering wheel spoke and secured with two zip ties. Because of the location of my gen car tracks, this pivot point was located equal to the front of my helm. I routed the lines around the aft most rail stanchions. Because my Tohatsu does not have the same mid section design feature as the Mercury shown, I removed the cover and attached the lines to the lifting ring aft of the flywheel (dangerously close dif the engine when running). I was able to get about as much travel as Neo, but with great effort, considering how close the engine attach point was to it's point of swivel. Disconnecting the steering cable from the steering yoke eased this some. Eventually one of the zip ties broke due to strain.

Second attempt: Routed the line thru the gen cars ahead of the helm. No steering wheel this time. With engine cover on, tied lines similar as Neo, but with big loops around engine cover and mid section with a bunch of trucker hitches and notty knots. Stood at helm and pulled on lines directly. Steering travel, tho a bit awkward, was max each way and easier than doing same with the steering wheel.

Conclusion: Great creative solution for a problem no one hopes to experience. YMMV. Everyone should consider/practice contingency options for this scenario before having to figure it out when TSHTF!

mdbrown wrote:Another option to consider is a boat hook/pole and duck tape. not as elegant but it will get you home.

On the its a fairly narrow opening to the pit/OB and a pole/tiller would not turn the OB very far.

K9Kampers wrote:Routed the line thru the gen cars ahead of the helm. No steering wheel this time. With engine cover on, tied lines similar as Neo, but with big loops around engine cover and mid section with a bunch of trucker hitches and notty knots. Stood at helm and pulled on lines directly. Steering travel, tho a bit awkward, was max each way and easier than doing same with the steering wheel.

Thanks K9.... Pulling two ropes was my initial inspiration but I was concerned I'd pull them too far and an OB loop would come off ..... But Catigale's idea of the zip-tie stops that.
Also, I have a larger wheel on my so if anyone has the original size wheel it may be better to pull two ropes.
If disaster ever strikes it would be kinda funny pulling into the marina looking like Ben Hur in a Chariot

ALSO, also.... If anyone else has devised their own "Get out of the Sh*t" procedures please share those with all of us, in a new thread.... No joke, information like this could save a Mac (or a life) one day.

All the best.
Neo

Now there is a thinkin man , well done, When I have time, I'm going to have to test this one

Awesome post - we think about that kinda stuff being in Hawai'i. If we lose ourselves, we get a ride to never never land

This is an awesome idea. I usually start thinking about steering failures when I get in uncomfortable situations like when we were heading into Glacier Bay in SE Alaska last July. Missed the slack tide by about 1/2 hr due to strong headwind and big (7 to 8') waves. Got into the converging tides and found ourselves in stacked waves that were bigger than the boat. Was scary for the humans but the boat didn't miss a beat. However, if the steering had failed, it might have been a different story! I will be making sure I have this system worked out and tested before I launch again next spring. Thanks for the tip!!

¡Nice idea!

Neo, nice idea, you ever get lost at sea and end up in US, you can work for me on the farm. You will need baling wire and grey tape along with the rope in your fix it bag.

Thanks guys.

Hi Gfeist, don't tempt me ... I'm out of work at the moment so which port should I sail into