Steering turns lock to lock

[hpeer]

The steering on our 44’ steel cutter is about 2-1/3 turns lock to lock.

I’ve heard that 3 turns is about normal.

I don’t see anyway to adjust this, I can’t even ID the binnacle make. Obviously boat takes a bit of elbow grease to steer, not an overly large wheel. Makes me pretty aware of any weather helm.

Just wondering what other folks would think about this.

[Hudson Force]

There's much variation to what may be "normal" by individual mechanics,- rack & pinion, quadrant or hydraulic steering. Your number of turns doesn't sound unusual and would seem satisfactory if it functions well.

[hpeer]

Hudson Force,

Thanks.

It’s chain around a gear at the binnacle and a quadrant in the rudder.

[zenith_adelaide]

Interesting. Mine has the opposite problem, about 7 turns lock to lock. Which is way unresponsive.

Mine is hydraulic ram driven so I'm simply going to mount the the ram rod closer to the pivot. I've actually got a series of holes I can select.

Is you steering cable driven or hydraulic. If cable, you may possible need a larger quadrant. If ram driven, youbcan see if you can position the ram rod further away from the rudder pivot.

Originally Posted by hpeer

The steering on our 44’ steel cutter is about 2-1/3 turns lock to lock.

I’ve heard that 3 turns is about normal.

I don’t see anyway to adjust this, I can’t even ID the binnacle make. Obviously boat takes a bit of elbow grease to steer, not an overly large wheel. Makes me pretty aware of any weather helm.

Just wondering what other folks would think about this.

[hpeer]

Chain and cable. I would need a smaller hub in the binnacle.

It doesn’t seem to be a big problem.

No way I could fit a bigger wheel.

Part of what prompted me to start this thread was another thread where the fellow talked about a big boat with Hydraulic steering, 15 turns lock to lock.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Chain and cable. I would need a smaller hub in the binnacle.

It doesn’t seem to be a big problem.

No way I could fit a bigger wheel.

Part of what prompted me to start this thread was another thread where the fellow talked about a big boat with Hydraulic steering, 15 turns lock to lock.

You might be able to fit a larger quadrant.

Generally, with a lighter and responsive boat 3 turns would be OK. On several boats I've sailed on with wheels, about 1 turn, lock to lock is acceptable (about the same leverage as a tiller).

With a heavy boat you will probably want to do something. Perhaps engineer an idler shaft below decks to increase the ratio.

[hpeer]

Thanks for the feedback.

Well she’s a tad on the heavy side, 44’ LOD, 37’ WL, 40,000#.

So if I understand you correctly you would argue for more turn lock to lock than 3?

With the clearances I have I don’t see a larger quadrant in my future. Perhaps a smaller drive wheel, but for that I’d have to figure out who made the binnacle, which has eluded me so far.

I can live with it. She’s been around for 30+ years so it can’t be fatal.

I guess I was wondering if it would make weather helm feel worse. And I see these new boats with giant wheels and wondered if that wasn’t a cheap fix to make weather helm feel less bothersome.

[anchorbend]

Not sure of your brand but Edson has different gearing available.

https://edsonmarine.com/products/sai...ain-sprockets/

[michaeld]

Our Cal 2-27 was 1.5 turns lock to lock. She was like driving a sports car with her fin keel and spade rudder. Our current Kaufman 47 is four turns lock to lock. The Cal was very sensitive with back pressure and required continuous attention. With the Kaufman, I can put on the wheel brake and go forward to grind the primaries and she will track true.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Thanks for the feedback.

Well she’s a tad on the heavy side, 44’ LOD, 37’ WL, 40,000#.

So if I understand you correctly you would argue for more turn lock to lock than 3?

With the clearances I have I don’t see a larger quadrant in my future. Perhaps a smaller drive wheel, but for that I’d have to figure out who made the binnacle, which has eluded me so far.

I can live with it. She’s been around for 30+ years so it can’t be fatal.

I guess I was wondering if it would make weather helm feel worse. And I see these new boats with giant wheels and wondered if that wasn’t a cheap fix to make weather helm feel less bothersome.

First, you may need more turns if the helm gets too heavy in a breeze. More turns will reduce the "feel" but it may make it easier for you to steer. (Probably). You could go to six.

Otherwise you will need to be very careful about getting overpowered.

As for your concern about who manufactured the binnacle, don't worry about that. If you can get it apart take the gear wheel to a machine shop and have them make you a new one.

The big wheels you see on high performance boats are there for two reasons:
1. They allow a very precise "feel" to the steering. You can move it an inch or two and feel the result. The size gives you the leverage to turn the rudder that directly. (imagine steering your boat with a 18" tiller, it would be 1:1 but very hard to do.)
2. The huge wheels allow you to sit outboard and still have your hand on the wheel.

I would also say that no builder or designer would try to make a heavy feeling helm lighter with a big wheel. Those boats are made for speed and dragging a weather helm around is not fast.

[barnakiel]

I had 2 and 1/2 on the last big boat I worked for.


I think 2 to 3 is about regular. Fewer with big wheels more with wee ones.



b.

[hpeer]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

A new sprocket will go on my to do list, but rather far down.

I have had issues with being over powered. I’m now more cautious with reefing and sail trim. Making me a better sailor, the hard way.

[Mediator]

My boat is about 2.5 turns lock to lock (skeg-hung rudder), but it's a fairly large wheel.

When I was first getting familiar with my boat, the weather helm felt overpowering in breezy conditions. I've since learned that my vessel is fastest when the main is reefed before the genoa, and unsurprisingly the weather helm problem went away. Playing with sail trim might make a big difference.