Now that ChrisDanRa my refurbed Norman 23 is on the water we are obviously trying to make use as many weekends as we can. We remembered that we had to sail her when I purchased her but used to narrow boat steering we noticed how much different the steering is and how quck the steering was. however now we have been out a couple of times I have now noticed that there is quite a bit of play in the teleflex head before the outleg starts to turn (in bord enine). Is this normal and to be expected and is there any adjustment in the gearing in the teleflex head?
This I think would make the steering more positive?
Does adding ballast to the bow make much difference and how do I know if this is needed?
I have a similar problem. There is no slack at the engine end. I believe that modern steering systems have the cable wound round a drum at the "Wheel end", whereas my Norman 23 has a "Rack and pinion" arrangement - I assume it is the original. Can anyone advise whether it is possible to adjust this to reduce any slack? I see that there is a nut with a spring under it - I presume to apply some preload.
Thanks Deano - I think I will just live with the slack for a bit. I have improved things a lot by fitting a custom made "ball joint" at the engine end, which was also very slack, so maybe I'm just being fussy now! Cheers, John
Adi - At the end of last season the steering had become awfully bad and I checked the transom bolt - yes it was loose. After tightening that and sorting the engine end, it has improved things immensely. Just heard from my son who is on the boat tonight before going to Fairford, that the steering is vastly improved from last year. As Stan says, as long as it goes roughly where you want it to that's enough! John
steering
Posted - 16 Jun 2013 : 19:46:57
