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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Home made EZ steer

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/10/2006 : 08:36:26

Hi All, below is a pic of La Tina Caliente in her new slip. I am taking the picture from the dock leading out to the boat. I have to back out of the slip and towards the dock to get out of the marina. You can see that I do not have much room at all for manuvering. So, I sent away for a product package from EZ Steer. In this case it is a must have.....but, unfortunatly I do not have the extra money to buy it ($200.00 at Cabelis). So I started looking around the shop for some bits that I might be able to fabrecate into a steering system. This spring I replaces the pintals on the rudder and looking at the old ones, I realized that I could mount one on the back of the rudder with the pin pointing up and strap the other one on the back of the outboard with the pin pointing up and make a rod to go between them. I will post pics when I get it hooked up. Cheers.

Dennis
No Boat
S.E. Michigan

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Dick Johnson
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2006 : 15:48:12

Excellent idea. I'd be interested in seeing the pictures of the final project.
Dick

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2006 : 08:09:40

Will a soft link work... if so, it doesn't get any simpler or cheaper.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2006 : 10:42:48

Hi Arlyn, this is cool. I might try this before I build a hard link. Thanks

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2006 : 10:45:57

Hi Arlyn, I forgot to ask in my last post but, I can see how this would work turning to port as the line to the rudder would pull it that way, but are you just relying on the tention of the bundgee to pull it past center when turning to starboard? Cheers.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2006 : 13:31:51

Yes, the bungee turns the boat to starboard in this installation.

Some with a tiller find the loading disconcerting that the tiller can't be released without a turn.

I only hook mine up when it is needed for close docking. The bungee can be left hooked up however by having a loop of line around the upper pintle with the lenth adjusted so that when disconnecting the soft link from the rudder, the soft link is hooked to the loop, which then holds the motor centered.

This method works very well on the 250 with the motor well and transom mount... mileage on a swing mount may vary.

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2006 : 01:19:24

Why dont you just lock the motor, and steer with the tiller?

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2006 : 13:25:16

Hi CS, when my motor is down, the handle is in the up position and also with the stern pulpit I have, it is difficult to reach through to turn the motor. I am in such tight quarters, I would just feel more comfortable with a more ergonomic system. Cheers/

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2006 : 15:10:05

I have a lock nut on the back of our moter that locks the movement of the motor, not up and down but side to side. I tighten this as tight as I can so the motor stays in line for and aft with the boat. Then I steer the boat with the tiller and rudder of the sailboat. It might be different on our boats because your rudder sits on the back of the transom, The Capri 25's rudder is under the hull, and the tiller comes up thru the hull. At times I will also loosen up the nut on the motor and steer with both tiller and motor, but only in really tight spaces. I also have a smaller motor 4hp 2 stroke, short shaft.

Can you all turn the rudder without turning the motor? The above fix also allows me to set the motor speed and just sit in the cockpit. You might also look into a tiller extention for the motor, If you want or need one send me your address, I have one that I bought a year ago on Ebay and never used it for the Capri 25, It did come in handy for the San Juan 24 because of the sloped transom.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2006 : 16:09:20

Hi CS, when my motor is down, I can hardly reach it. I can turn the boat with just the tiller with the motor locked and going forward, it turns fairly tight, but in reverse, in the tight quarters I am in, the tiller is not enough. Cheers.

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Gambit
Navigator

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USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 12:30:04

I can't find the thread but recently someone referenced an excellent guide for docking and mooring. A technique he identified for your situation goes like this: Before backing out of your slip, throw a dock line over the post on the aft starboard side. Have one end cleated on the starboard side of the boat and just hold the loose end. Let the line out so you can back out most of the way and start your turn, by holding the line and steering, your stern will walk around to starboard and your bow will fall off to port, thus setting you up for a shift to forward and easy escape. Just drop your (floating) dock line and haul it in quickly without fouling your prop.

Less speed the better so as to not re-injure your shoulder

Prop walk will be working against you here but it should still work OK.

I am assuming you want to head off to port, just reverse everything if not.

Hope that works for you.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 15:58:18

Hi George, I can see that working in my head. I am putting the motor back on the boat his week and will try it. Thanks. Cheers.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.