my steering is shagged options for a new setup

[tyro]

I am working on tidying up an old boat and the steering setup was a total basket case. It had a pulley (no sprocket and chain) on the column, the other pulleys were tiny and worn and the wire is too thin etc etc.

So I am starting from scratch on a very low budget

I have been told I can buy a shaft and sprocket from hamilton's for a bit over $100, I wondered if I could rake up large cylindrical lump of alloy if I could get  a mate to knock up a column for me on his lathe, we could fit studs to the dash end and bearings to either end and either press them in or retain with grub screws? I could maybe get it powder coated to stop it going crusty is this a viable approach? Or maybe get a suitable piece of pipe fit the bearings to each end and weld a thick flange on to bolt up to the dash?

What thickness of stainless cable is best? 4mm?


Is there a way of knocking up your own single and double pulleys? These should be 75mm diameter acetal preferably with a bearing? Is there anywhere in NZ that does the cable clamps shackles turnbuckle thingy etc cheap. I see bunnings stock a bit of that sort of stuff anything wrong with their stuff?

thanks again in advance

[mohawk]

Burnsco , Anzor and see the local bearing shop for sprockets and stuff .

[PM]

Bunnings... Unless the hardware is stainless steel I wouldn't bother, and if it is stainless they'll likely bend you over for price. Anzor or Burnsco as Mohawk suggested is the way to go.
Did your original setup have a drum on the end of the steering shaft? If so this is an adequate setup and re-usable without the fuss of sprocket, chain and chain guards, and as it uses one length of wire you won't have to buy another set of clamps, shackles etc.

[tyro]

the old set up was a narrow pulley, looked like something off a wringer washing machine as opposed to a drum and there was slop in the shaft. Also there was a lot of travel lock to to lock about 3/4 of a turn of the wheel. Cheers for the tips on burnsco/anzor. I heard that aeronautic engineers ditch a lot of pulleys when they service light planes and these are in good  nick and make a good starting point for homemade pulley setups. Anyone given this approach a crack?

[PM]

3/4 turn isn't overly bad, the Sportjet helms are 210*

[tyro]

ok just had a look on google images searching sportjet helm steering etc but didn't see anything familiar are these a morse cable type setup? did you mean 210 degrees or dollars 210 dollars i like

[swifty]

What is the boat? Any pics .We like pics.....

[tyro]

its such a shitbox that i'm too embarassed and it used to belong to another site member, but the price was right and I will  get there! anyone got any used steering parts...

[swifty]

No need to be embarrassed,any boat that floats and can go shallow like all jetboats can is a good boat. Take your time and come out with your pics when you are ready.

[mohawk]

 

[mohawk]

Where are you located ?

[tyro]

OK OK..... can't a guy stay under the radar on here? I'm in Dunedin. Bought it as a use it for a bit and then stuff it all in a new hull when funds allow project...

Here's the pic

http://www.nzjetboating.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=28668.0

Lachlan sold  it  to me for a good price, he got the trailer wof'ed and reg'ed for me, and threw in a sandtrap . He hastily slapped it together for some holiday fun, I am trying to sort it to scrutineering standard (well at least close to it!!) in anticipation of an eventual hull swap.

[mohawk]

Fun project 

[tyro]

back to the start, can anyone confirm that it is 4 mm cable that I need? I am basically trying to assemble something along the lines of this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/boats-marine/parts-accessories/engine-parts/auction-915841124.htm for as cheap as possible..... rather than paying about 1/3 the value of the boat

Is it worth getting a mate to turn up an alloy housing to fit a hamilton shaft? Are there places that sell just th epulleys alone so you can fold up your own alloy holder bits?

[Matthewf/Norbert/TuiDog]

you will need to buy something like "7x19" s/s cable (7 bundles of 19 o strands) that is 'soft' so it can run through pulleys etc and not fatigue. its 'feels' very flexible.

steering,reverse and fuel systems should in my view always be the places you choose to spend the right money to ensure safety and reliability. plenty of guys on here build their own systems themselves from quality parts to save $

heres a pic of what to look for