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Hard Link V5 project

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/29/2008 : 00:56:44

Now that I have all my measurements figured out I can move onto a simpler, stronger and more permanent solution. I'm thinking of doing this:

On rudder arm mount (but will this one turn on it's axle or only moves up and down?)
[url="http://www.midwestcontrol.com/catdisplay_short.php?pg=124"]

[/url]

This on the Engine mount:
[url="http://www.midwestcontrol.com/catdisplay_short.php?pg=132"]

[/url]

This to link it:
[url="http://www.midwestcontrol.com/catdisplay_short.php?pg=211"]

[/url]
[url="http://www.midwestcontrol.com/"]MidWest Controls[/url]

Steve Blackburn, Calgary, AB
C250WB - 1999 - Hull 396

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/29/2008 01:01:09

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 09:58:43

Steve, great minds think alike!

I bought a setup from that company in the fall. Here are a few photos.

Here is where I would like to mount the link. The rudder end would connect to the lower bolt aft of the "A" and I have constructed a bracket for that mount (small SS angle bracket).

Here is the complete rod. I went with 1/4" components. Wondering if 1/2" would have been better but 1/4" should be strong enough you would think.

Here is a close-up of the flexible joint. With the unit mounted with the bolt pointing down - as I intend to mount mine - the bar can turn 360 degrees around the bolt. It can also twist clockwise about 45 degrees but I see no need for that twist.

Where I am stuck right now is how to mount the outboard end. I have an idea but it needs to be well fabricated and would require drilling into the "yoke" ("B") that the OB turns within. If I can accomplish that then the bar is basically level and connects the rudder point and outboard point at the same distances from their turning centers. I would also have no extension bar past the rudder. I know that so far everyone has an extension bar but I just don't care for how they look. I'm hoping the rudder mount - that bracket area is quite beefy - will provide the necessary support and leverage.

Also, when doing long outboard runs I would like to disengage the rudder mount ("A") and mount that end to a bracket on the transom that would hold the OB in a straight-ahead direction, much like the original soft link does.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 03/29/2008 10:07:24

PDXSteve
Deckhand

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20 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 11:51:05

Keep posting guys, Im following every step of the way. Like the photos too!. Like the work that your doing and the R&D! Would either one of you mind posting the part numbers from Midwest when your finished? Thanks.
Im Thinking the 1/2" components would be the way to go, most likely over kill, but better safe than sorry..

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 12:06:53

Hah, I'd been working along these same lines. I'd found that the lack of flexibility in the attachment points caused the epoxy to fail over time on the rudder side. I bought a couple of anodized ball joints, because I couldn't find SS ones. My thought was to use just the ball joints on either end of a turnbuckle arrangement so you'd have adjustability as well as flexibility. Why do you guys like the flexible joint over the ball joint for the engine mount?

Since I'm contemplating a new engine, I'll probably just repair the setup I have now, and fabricate a new one when I decide on the new engine.

Randy, I especially like your idea of the attachment point along the transom locking the OB into a 90 degree position. I hadn't thought of that.

I wonder at what point we could have just bought an EZ Steer & been done with it w/o all the rigging, etc?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 14:13:01

Dave, the EZ Steer is about $300 I think. I have maybe $45 invested so far plus my time of course!

I like the flexible joint ends because they can be inserted into a simple "L" bracket. One of the brackets will be bolted to the rudder using that existing heavy-duty bolt that attached the wheel system to the rudder. The other - on the OB - is what I'm still working on.

These systems are actually clones of the Goldeneye kicker motor steering link that people use to link their kicker OB to their main OB.

[url="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009TPV1K?smid=A3AZEU1266GEG2&tag=msnshop-sports-20&linkCode=asn"]Goldeneye[/url]

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 18:15:35

Having a second attachement point locking in the engine at 90 degree is genius! I'm going to do that too. Afterall steering the engine is only good in close quarters at slow speeds. Once out in the open I too would rather have a fixed 90 degree engine. I was wondering about using 2 quick disconnect (my first picture) instead of what I proposed here. Doing so looks more esthetic so I will go that way too.

Randy your engine attachment point looks pretty low to me. Couldn't you just raise it a little and attach to the engine cowl like I did? All you would need is a hole big enough to bolt in that SS quick disconnect joint. Would look real clean. V5 looks like it's going to be a hard design to beat.

On another note, I notice you wear socks in your sandals. It's out of fashion dude!

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/29/2008 18:19:55

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 19:08:33

Steve, sorry about the socks. I wear my Keens everywhere, including work, and sometimes wear socks with them. I know, it is embarrassing!

Right now this project is on hold for me. I just ordered the gear to move my winches to the coaming for one-handed sailing and that project comes first. I'll wait to see how yours turns out. I do think these components are very well suited to the task. I'll also look again at the cowl mount. That would require that i move the rudder connection higher but that would also make the connecting and disconnecting easier.

Thanks guys for the compliments re a transom bracket to hold the OB at 90 degrees. To give credit where it is due, I was following the design guidelines from Arlyn Stewart who's soft link has a similar feature.

By the way we will be cruising the Canadian Gulf Islands for two weeks starting the end of May. Sometime we'll have to get some PNW 25/250's together for a cruise!!

Edited by - Nautiduck on 03/29/2008 19:12:23

Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 21:17:54

Had a thought on the whole idea of the hard link. How about a different approach. My 9.9 Mercury on my fishing boat has a steering bar that comes off the front of the motor. This would seem like a possible solution, then a bar from this point to the front of the rudder. I think it would also allow for an easy disconnect. I am looking right now online for this steering bar for my Yamaha. More to follow!!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 22:03:54

Chris,

The front of the rudder doesn't have much movement.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 23:43:38

Ok ok, I'll be the guinea pig again and spend those R&D $. :-)

Randy, would've loved to join you on a Gulf Island cruise, but I won't be able to make it this year. We are having visitors over from Quebec this summer during my vacations. Instead we decided to invest more money in our 250 mostly towards comfort. Bimini, Kayaks, LCD TV, Solar Mount, V5 Hard Link, new bottom paint (and the purchase of the pressure washer to remove my old ablative), Lazy Jacks, bilge pump, reefing mod (like yours), cookware. Next Christmas Santa is supposed to bring me a GPS so I'll be ready for the Gulf then. Wheel steering and moving the winches to the coamings is probable for 2009. I've already booked the Admiral and mates for 2009. It's going to be the summer of Steve. I'm sure we could get more to join.

Edited by - on

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