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Trouble shooting chain and cable sailboat steering

Trouble shooting chain and cable sailboat steering

Posted by Dave on Oct 23rd 2023

As harbors begin to thin out with the cooler seasons coming in, it’s a great time to evaluate whether your boat’s steering system lived up to its potential or if there are some things that could be improved. This article will help you identify the root causes of most steering irregularities and …
Replacing wire steering cable with Dyneema part 2 - the install

Replacing wire steering cable with Dyneema part 2 - the install

Posted by Dave on May 19th 2022

Having successfully removed the existing chain and wire in the last post, the task fell to measuring chain and cable, and making a new chain and new Dyneema cables. Measuring the chain is easy enough, as the J/109 uses Edson's steering chain and cable kit # 77103 (link), and so has an 18" chain …
Replacing wire steering cable with Dyneema

Replacing wire steering cable with Dyneema

Posted by Dave on May 9th 2022

Many of the world's top race boats have switched to using Dyneema rope instead of 7x19 wire. Edson has successfully supplied many systems using rope-based steering cable for many years, including on one of my all-time favorite keelboats, the Farr 40. The specific system that boats like the Farr 40 a …
Pre-purchase steering inspection

Pre-purchase steering inspection

Posted by Dave on Apr 15th 2022

Spring is happening with a vengeance here in New England, which means that brokerage activity is or will soon be in full bloom to match the daffodils. While most pre-purchase surveys will give a broad overview of a boat's steering system, critical details and the proverbial fine toothed comb are usu …