Sailboat Steering - How It Works (Plus Fault Finding & Repair) | ⛵ Sailing Britaly ⛵

🔔SUBSCRIBE ➜ bit.ly/SBKZbin⛵ Sailboat steering system walk through, with excess play fault finding & repair... (Solimar Rack & Pinion System) 👇👇👇Click "SHOW MORE" For Links!!!👇👇👇
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Chris, Rossella and Emma 😊
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Sailboat Steering - How It Works (Plus Fault Finding & Repair)
Timestamps / Chapters For Your Convenience:
00:00 - 01:11 Introduction
01:11 - 03:32 How A Rack & Pinion Steering System Works On A Boat
03:32 - 05:35 Fault Finding Excess Play In The Steering System
05:35 - 20:58 Disassembly Of Steering System, Bearing Replacement, Reassembly Of Steering System
20:58 - 21:11 Testing Of Steering System
21:11 - 22:41 Outtro
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'Sailing Britaly' is a Helvellyn Ltd brand. Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of Helvellyn Ltd, we cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Helvellyn Ltd assumes no liability for property damage, injury or death incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Helvellyn Ltd. recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, open flames, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Helvellyn Ltd, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Helvellyn Ltd. Disclosure: any links in this description may be affiliate links. If you decide to buy some items from them, Helvellyn Ltd may receive a small percentage compensation for having suggested the suppliers to you. (This costs you nothing) As an Amazon Associate we receive compensation for qualifying purchases. Helvellyn Ltd only recommends suppliers and products which we believe in, so there is never any conflict of interest.
#sailing #sailboat #steering

[@SailingBritaly]

Helloha! Thank you for watching, here are some linkeroonies for you: 🔔SUBSCRIBE ➜ bit.ly/SBKZbin⛵ Get the free ebook "How To Buy A Boat At The Best Price Possible" ➜ boatbuyingblueprint.com God bless, stay FREE, and never bow down to tyrants!!! Chris, Rossella & Emma :-)

[@richardward7384]

Hi Chris, really glad to see you again.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Richard. :-)

[@SvMobyduck]

I sure do like that rack and pinion system. The room saved no having a giant quadrant is fantastic.

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Nathan, I like it too and it is a very solid system when all the bearings are in good condition. These were almost 30 years old, hence the play. It's all good now and will last for years. Cheers, Chris

[@jcfgh]

How extremely satisfying to have fixed that yourself. Well done.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you James. :-)

[@StemtoSternSailing]

That steering pedestal sure met it's match ,,, and then some. An interesting fight to watch! Glad to see you back on the boat . Best regards from Jarle

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you! Fair winds, Chris :-)

[@russelldenby5655]

Your Back! Thank god. My wife and I have watched all your vids twice. We brought our first boat this year Mirage 2700 yes its a bilge keel but we live in Ramsgate so good for our coast line. Please keep with the Videos they are the best on the Tube mate, My wife takes the mic as i'm ex Royal Navy taking lessons from a Crab Fat. LOL.

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Russell, thanks mate, I'm glad you enjoy our videos. :-) You'll make lifelong memories with your Mirage 2700 and she'll set you up with lots of valuable experience which you'll carry forward with you. Hope you're enjoying Christmas and you and your wife have lots of fun on the water in 2023. Best regards, Chris

[@davidspelmans9438]

long time nothing seen. Welcome back 😉

[@SailingBritaly]

Thanks David :-)

[@LondonCarnaval]

First time here subscribed and liked 👍. Awesome video, loved the info and advice too. Great stuff 👏 👍 👌 🙌. Now I need to catch up on the rest of the videos so to understand where you started and where are you heading with this interesting adventure. I wish you the very best of luck 🤞🤞🤞 ✌❤🍀

[@SailingBritaly]

Welcome aboard! :-)

[@mumincetin]

Such a nice informative video, thanks Chris.

[@SailingBritaly]

My pleasure Mumin. :-)

[@gobinagache9560]

Good stuff! Thanks for all the details and explaining your thought process and doubts!

[@SailingBritaly]

Glad you enjoyed it! 👍

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Nice to see you back in the water again Chris. Looks like water gathering in the bottom there has done for that bearing. Good plan to replace all the bearings. Probably last another 30years!

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Ruaraidh, yes you're right with the bearing. Standing water is a killer and there was a fair bit of corrosion evident around the bearing / torque tube interface. Fingers crossed for many years of solid, reliable steering now. Just have to watch out for the orcas! Cheers, Chris

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

@@SailingBritaly Great stuff. Are you heading for the Med now?

[@chriss1282]

Great content!

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you :-)

[@tomjoad1060]

Impressive video! I know how hard it is to fix a boat. Now trying to think of a way to add autopilot to my system (Pypilot).

[@svintheanajones88]

Nice video. The shim washer is also used to prevent the outer race of the bearing from rubbing against the next mechanical components on the shaft. I believe that was the rack. Glad I found your channel. Thoroughly enjoying your content!

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you for watching & commenting and welcome aboard. :-)

[@c.a.mcneil7599]

Aftershock watch cutlass bearings installed your the first I have seen use the freezing bearings or sleeves to help shrink for placement been using that trick for years. Hope this help others great walk through video.

[@elg308]

Very good mate thank you for all the knowledge you're showing us and you guys make a nice little family

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Tom 🙏

[@sailingikis]

Very interesting, I'm very happy you found the sd missing card. And it's nice to see your videos, always very clear. thx

[@SailingBritaly]

Thanks guys, fair winds!

[@bootybandy]

Welcome back Chris. I note this was fimed in Gillingham in 2019. Where abouts are you and the family at this time? Back/still in Italy? Hope to see more videos in the near future.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Brian, Italy at the moment, UK for Christmas and hoping to get back to the boat soon. Cheers, Chris 👍

[@DeanColegate]

Hi Chris, great video and very well explained! I have a Whitlock rack and pinion steering system on my yacht and guess what, it has play that I've been meaning to sort out. Although it clearly isn't a walk in the park, you've inspired me to give it a go myself :)

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Dean, I'm glad you found this useful. I'd say go for it! If you need a hand at any stage feel free to reach out. Very best regards, Chris :-)

[@scott.wallace8625]

Nice. Good to see you again

[@SailingBritaly]

Cheers Scott

[@mvmarinoa6553]

THERE you guys are!

[@SailingBritaly]

👍

[@mikemcallen8989]

Hi Chris, great video! Your steering is identical to mine (Bav 430 from 1992) and I had to tackle play in my steering last year. Mine was the Woodruff key, the slot on the rack side had worn so slotted some flat stainless in to fill the gap. Has been fine since fingers crossed. Fixed by an Ex TG4, try not to spill your beer Lol!! Keep up the great videos!

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Mike, it’s a shame I misplaced the SD card for such a long time as a few people have had similar issues and I couldn’t find the video anywhere to answer their questions. I’m glad you got your steering fixed and I hope you are enjoying your boat. The 430 must be a fantastic boat with the same solid build quality but with plenty of extra room. Cheers, Chris 👍

[@johnwishart7950]

another great video how are the wife and child i bet she has grown lovely to see you publishing again

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi John, all good thank you. You'll see them both in the next video. Cheers, Chris :-)

[@Lovetheoqean]

Very nice video and detailed very well. It’s very hard to shoot that kind of video in awkward position but you’ve done a fantastic job. I think the technique you used for removing and reinstalling the bearings will be useful for a lot of people in other Diy bearing replacements. I was struggling with a bearing in the saildrive and a mechanic near by cane with a gas tourch and removed it in minutes.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you, I hope this video helps people get their steering seaworthy and safe without breaking the bank. 🙏

[@beaconbus]

Thanks for the great instructional video! The steering on my Contest 33 is similar, but my slop is where the pinion gear attaches the the end of the shaft. There is nothing like a key visible from above. How are the pinion gears attaches to the shaft? Thanks and subscribed!

[@Vincent5482]

yay a upload

[@SailingBritaly]

:-)

[@petecod05]

Hi Chris, have been watching and learning from your videos for a long time. Many thanks. Shame you didn’t release this one a year earlier!. I have the same solimar system as you on an Italian made racer/cruiser which I used to keep in Genova. With the wheel seized on to the pinion tube, I disconnected the push-pull rod and took the whole wheel pedestal unit home for a complete re build. I wasn’t aware it was a Solimar at the time so there was a lot of guess work involved! I spent more time getting it all a part (without breaking) than rebuilding. It’s now ‘the business!. The only good bearing was your bad one, my biggest problem were the double bearings at the bottom of the torsion tube which were almost completely disintegrated due to water ingress over the years. They’re originally inserted onto the tube before the the lever is welded in place, Not wanting to re-weld I managed to push them down from the top of the tube with huge difficulty !!! My next home project is the Raymarine auto helm linear drive (looks like you have one too!). It’s very hard to push in and out, I’m planning on changing the worm drive ball bearings (possibly to delrin and run it dry). They’re a pain to insert though!! Food for thought for your next video maybe ;). Keep up the good work, cheers Pete

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Pete, thank you for your informative comment! The community here on KZbin is what makes videos like this so useful, as we can all help each other out. Good luck with your autopilot job. :-) Cheers, Chris

[@wysiwyg2006]

My tiller steering has play due to the top bearing but too much hassle to remove so thought about getting another bracket holding the rudder stock made which I could mount below the tiller

[@judaojk34]

I believe you did a hole to the water . The sparks from Angel grinder create rust on gelcoat

[@gmoose777]

Another great video Chris, the overlap of skill sets from aircraft to boats is not that difficult to align since aircraft are identified at manufacture by ship number. Good idea using the sealed bearings and obviously you will have taken measures to eliminate standing water in the housing, perhaps a drain hole adjacent the bearing housing to the cockpit might help alleviate any future problems. I also use a very fine smear of neverseeze in press fit bearings, the purists are about to have a heart attack that I said bthat but boat shafts are not perfect so there will always be some corrosion develop in the gaps I have never had one slip but disassembly is easier cheers

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi there, thank you for watching & commenting with some helpful tips there for others doing his job. Best regards, Chris

[@paolomasteryachtpaolodegio5335]

Great job are you ready for the next summer season ?

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Paolo! The timeline is a bit confusing - this video was filmed just before I crossed the English Channel solo: I thought it was essential to have reliable steering for that. Brritaly is now in Belgium, and yes, we plan to do some cruising this summer, God willing! 🙂 Buon vento da Modena! Chris

[@patrickschluter7280]

What a joy seeing you back Chris! Love the videos you make. They are vert useful. Especially as I am about to change a steering bearing on our Jeanneau SO 42.1 - Cheers // Patrick @fivegonesailing

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Patrick, good luck with the job. Fair winds, Chris :-)

[@TheRealSasquatch]

As a suggestion to any cruiser - a bearing puller (internal and external) and a gear puller (likewise) is essential kit. If you have the space a small hydraulic press is also invaluable. Don't forget decent reversible circlip pliers as well.

[@SailingBritaly]

Yes great tips there, all extremely useful tools. 👍

[@stevehunt6445]

Three years too late for me unfortunately. I replaced all my bearings when the top one failed as yours did. The small round cover on the front of the pedestal has a grub screw to set the backlash in the rack and pinion after the bearings have been replaced. Also make sure that there is plenty of waterproof grease on the rack and pinion before sealing it all up.

[@johnlawrence7268]

Nice to see you Chris. One can easily tell that you are an experienced engineer, sham it was RAF though and not Army!😅

[@SailingBritaly]

Cheers John, we used to share a hangar with 657 Squadron and there was plenty of banter. 😉

[@PineappleOranges]

Did you edit out the expletives? Haha Work in the engine room on a ship, and I relate to the struggle of trying to do a job where having an additional hand would help.

[@SailingBritaly]

An extra set of eyes or hands makes all the difference sometimes, although persevering and finding innovative solutions (like duct taping a spanner in place at the 'other' end of a tightening job) can also work. Expletives are best saved for global 'leaders' these days... :-)

[@jamesclark3119]

If available the galley microwave works well for warming a bearing. Just wrap in a moist cloth and give it a couple of minutes. It warms up evenly for a slip fit on a shaft. Just make sure the steward has gone ashore. They have a tendency to be cranky at best.

[@SailingBritaly]

Good tip James, thank you for sharing. :-)

[@wysiwyg2006]

Great to see your name channel appear again on my subscriptions. Are you back at Gillingham? Or is this an older video you took.

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi John, this was filmed in 2019 (before the 'great reset' kicked off) but the SD card went missing. I finally found it and was able to get this edited. Cheers, Chris :-)

[@MrMilothedog]

Random observation, but what is the diameter of your rudder post stock? It looked undersized to me. It also looked like it had an unusual taper to it. May have been the video lighting or a shadow?

[@jimanderson2518]

You still In Cape Charles???

[@superformOG]

famous last words, i have just spent 3 weeks pulling the steering column apart but that bearing looks ok so i wont bother changing it hahahaha

[@SailingBritaly]

Considering the job took about 12 hours in total, “3 weeks” is a bit of an overestimation. The lower bearing was solid, smooth, and lives in a dry environment, so I was happy for it to stay. Of course anyone else doing this job would be free to replace that too. They might also choose to replace the ball link ends on the push pull rods and the pedestal steering brake… Each to their own.

[@superformOG]

@@SailingBritaly it was a bit tongue in check but if you take that much effort to remove it then it would be prudent to replace everything you can. I always ask myself what if this failed at sea, how easy is it to fix, its why i changed from a engine mounted cav filter to a externally mounted racor. best wishes to the family.

[@SailingBritaly]

@@superformOG Yes I agree with the sentiment but you have to draw the line somewhere, or else you’d end up replacing every component in the system. I drew the line where I did, others might draw it somewhere else. Bear in mind that I fairly recently discovered that was wrong about almost everything I thought I knew in life for 40 years, so there is a distinct possibility I’m wrong here too… 😂 Best regards, Chris

[@chrisevans7416]

I perfer edson less to go wrong, with srocket and chain

[@terrydickinson7252]

Good video - not a job for an amateur!

[@SailingBritaly]

Cheers Terry 👍

[@TampaTec]

Great video and useful info👍 and right back at ya buddy 0:52 🖕 😆

[@SailingBritaly]

Cheers Paul, I hope you and the rest of the family are all well! 👍

[@ratusbagus]

Crikey, even I felt good at that result. You must have been well chuffed.

[@SailingBritaly]

I do like a nice cheap fix, and it's definitely good to be able to trust your steering system. Cheers, Chris :-)

[@nachowind1683]

Too much pieces for my litle memory😝

[@smokingkippers1173]

Who are you? Where did you suddenly come from? Why do I feel I should remember......?

[@ratusbagus]

Shortening you beard took years off you!

[@SailingBritaly]

This was filmed in 2019. I've aged at least 25 years since then with the global skullduggery we've all been subjected to...

[@headshedwisdom]

Fair play fella for the very informative video, but FFS get the tools you need for the job 😂😂😂😂