PA Steering upgrade?

[ful-rac]

I've broken 2 rudder lines on my PA within a few months of each other. The problem seems to be chafing of the steering line on the grommets that are under the steering cover, and it eventually leads to steering line failure. It's also probably because I like to keep my steering tight with the steering tension knob...

So this is what I came up with, I'll let you know in a few months if it works.

Steering disconnected, grommet removed.


Here is the grommet removed, with a piece of mesh wire loom to be inserted inside of the grommet.


This is both grommets with the wire loom inserted and glued in place.


Grommets reinstalled and steering reconnected.

[blitzburgh]

Cool idea

[romspacenut]

Awesome idea Tony. I got a few feet of that size sleeve. Gonna give it a try too. Thanks!

[Mike scales]

Great idea! I'm trying to fix mine for the second time also.
Finally found a blue print (wasn't easy) on where and how the cables route inside the hull, because the first time was a guessing game.

[tsugg]

So I'm still a noob around here but I've found out that I really look forward to any reports from team sewer(which are frequent) for their insight, knowledge of fishing and above all else, the videos!!! I've realised that tony in a talented fisherman- great videographer - Handsome and now this steering fix. He's macgiver all in one package!!! All you guys from team sewer are A-Ok !

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by tsugg

So I'm still a noob around here but I've found out that I really look forward to any reports from team sewer(which are frequent) for their insight, knowledge of fishing and above all else, the videos!!! I've realised that tony in a talented fisherman- great videographer - Handsome and now this steering fix. He's macgiver all in one package!!! All you guys from team sewer are A-Ok !

You don't have to kiss his ass, just buy him lunch and he love you long time

[tsugg]

Tony, where does the cable break? Right at the grommet?

[alanw]

Just replace that crap line with some power pro or something and be done with it.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by alanw

Just replace that crap line with some power pro or something and be done with it.

Your a fucking genius sometimes you know that!


The factory steering line is like 1000 pound test spectra, and is chafing against the grommet so much so that it is failing. Its not failing after one trip its after many. Fix the chafing fix the problem.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by tsugg

Tony, where does the cable break? Right at the grommet?

Yes it breaks right at the grommet. If you havent yet, you should at least inspect the steering line where it rides thru the grommet for wear, and repair if needed. I think this problem mainly seems to be assosiated with PAs that have the steering tension knob. When you got that tension knob cranked down for that nice tight steering everybody likes....it really starts to wear on that grommet.

[wiredantz]

Tony, have you thought about wire for the rudder lines.

My trident 15 comes with wire to connect to the rudder, don't know if it will help you.

Actually I think the wire on the PA would probably eat through the plastic...

[alanw]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Your a fucking genius sometimes you know that!


The factory steering line is like 1000 pound test spectra, and is chafing against the grommet so much so that it is failing. Its not failing after one trip its after many. Fix the chafing fix the problem.

Ha sorry looks like kite string in the photo. Maybe you can replace the crap grommet with a polished fairlead instead?

[tsugg]

LOL.

[YakDout]

They make wire coated with plastic..?


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[wiredantz]

Originally Posted by YakDout

They make wire coated with plastic..?


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My rudder lines are all wire, almost looks like what they use for the bicycle brake lines.

[YakDout]

I was saying that the wire coated with plastic would work perfect with no wear on the plastic of the boat


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[Iceman]

looks like a good remedy Tony. Only real pinch point there is and the tighter you crank the tension the more it is prone to wear.

[RedSledTeam]

How about Teflon coated wire? We use Teflon coated multi-strand electrical wire on all of our spaceships and airplanes, although I don't know if there is a specific "tension" wire with a Teflon coating. Does anyone know if such an animal exists?

[bus kid]

Originally Posted by alanw

Maybe you can replace the crap grommet with a polished fairlead instead?

winner. Someone post up dimensions of the grommets, our lathe guy has some down time right now so it may be possible for me to pop out a few.

[ful-rac]

A perfectly smooth inside and out grommet would be a nice permanent fix. I would buy one. But in the meantime....