To Install -- Edson Cable and Wire System

The current system is comprised of 4" bronze sheaves in bronze bases on stainless posts. The basis of the system is 5/8" (#50SS) chain going to 3/16" stainless wire rope. The binnacle drive gear has 11 teeth. The wheel is stainless steel with 6 spokes, 27 inches in diameter. The wheel goes through 2.5 turns stop to stop.

The planned upgrade is comprised of the following components:

402-6-211S --- 402 Series Pedestal                                                                                   
                               Triple Roller Bearings for self steering vane compatibility
                               Sprocket Pitch 2.2"
                               11 Tooth Sprocket for 5/8" Chain (#SS50)

620BR-6BNBR -- Two 6 inch brass sheave assemblies with stainless steel roller bearings    $171

883-6BRNB   --- Racing/Cruising Idler Assembly with 6" brass sheaves, stainless steel roller bearings, forged bronze base $335

1620-6-58A --- 58" Pedestal guard assembly, 1620 for stainless adapter to binnacle $249

870ST-6 --- Engine Control, Dual lever $238

694WH-6-45 --- White 8" Compass to 7" Compass adapter

646-4HEX --- Aluminum bolts to attach Pedestal to Deck and Idler.

Wire and chain, purchased some new backup hardware from Edson before the trip back from Kwajalein and I need to determine how much of it is useful, potentially all of it. (Appears that all of it!)

It appears that the original 1" bore Yacht Specialties 27 inch wheel will work just fine on the Edson Pedestal! That makes life a bit easier!

The existing compass is a Ritchie 515 Globemaster series (5 inch card) with bronze bellows. A compass rebuilder noted the bellows assembly on this compass is superior to what is available now. However, the brass base assembly is in very poor condition and needs to be replaced. The globe has small cracks and crazing in it and so the compass needs rebuilt. If everything must be replaced then I would select from Edson: (Ritchie is rebuilding old compass and replacing housing for $495)

Currently starting the upgraded installation. The pedestal looks like it may have to move forward a couple of inches to make room below for the larger idlers. Modifying the existing steel idler mount/rudder stop to handle the much larger bases of the 6" sheaves. The distance between the sheaves will be a bit less (2" which will not be a significant issue), however, the 2" increase in sheave diameter will require that the axes of the sheaves move forward about an inch and the pedestal idlers may end up being angled slightly forward to make up for the 2" of forward positioning of the forward edge of the idlers on the steel mount.

The original Yacht Specialties wheel does in fact fit the new hub, it is a wonderful slip fit. I am planning on buying one of the mounts so the wheel can be moved out of the way while at anchor. I am also considering trying to find a very small wheel to mount the monitor self steering vane attachment on. This would reduce the "flywheel effect" on both the vane and the autopilot and reduce wear significantly on long passages. The only issue would be a lack of mechanical advantage while hand steering, however, it would be easy to shift back to the larger wheel in the event that a significant amount of hand steering was anticipated.

The Ritchie 515 Globmaster is back from Ritchie and it looks wonderful. I am really looking forward to getting it installed.

The above steering system is used to control a large spade rudder with a xx" bronze quadrant. The rudder post is made from tubular stainless steel with an outside diameter of xx" and a wall thickness of 0.xx" The rudder is an extremely difficult one man lift, with two guys it can be moved around, dropping the rudder out of the hull is definitely a two person minimum job and installation requires three guys to maneuver it into position.

This is Botany Bay's rudder having barrier coat applied. After minor sanding and cosmetic blister repair 4 coats of Interprotect 2001E were applied over the remaining Interprotect 3001 barrier coat

Where the rudder post penetrates the top of the rudder structure 3M 5200 was applied to ensure protection of the fiberglass to stainless steel bond.

After the last coat of Interprotect was applied the first coat of Micron Extra with Biolux was applied within 5 hours to ensure good adhesion of the bottom paint to the barrier coat.

This is the bearing surface into which the rudder is installed.