We were lucky enough to have some warm weather in the northeast yesterday. I took my new to me F32 on her maiden voyage to her new home port.
In about 15-20kts of wind with gusts up to 25kts, we did up to 6kts on a broad reach and 9.9kts wing to wing (navionics speed) with a filthy bottom (boat stored in water this winter). Unfortunately, we lost partial steering in a small squall as the weather began to pick up in the afternoon.
There is about 180 degrees of play in the wheel now. We dropped the sails and motored the rest of the way. Keeping course was obviously difficult due to all of the freeplay. The wheel is also 90 degrees off center now.
My question is, what all should be serviced and replaced in the steering system, and how can I access it? Instead of trying to diagnose what the exact issue is, I would much rather replace everything that is considered a wear item and do every possible service so that the steering feels like it did in 1985. I feel the the marina that was previously servicing the vessel (for 20+ years) overlooked many things and cut corners on a lot of their work. I know the boat came factory with an Edson pedestal, but I’m not sure which one. I have a 1985 Hoyt F32 is anyone knows which pedestal model came with it.
Another question that came to mind is what’s the deal with an emergency tiller on this boat? I imagine that there must be one somewhere.
I mention this because Edson has a record of the steering on the Freedom 30 and the install dwgs/part#s data is published on their site under boat mfgs.
The Freedom 32 is not listed but if you do have Edson steering, I’ll bet Edson can help you figure out what you have and may even have the original build data for you. If they do, get a copy, obviously, also tell them to get the drawings online with the F28 and F30 which are already there.
Thanks Mike. I just ordered a full Edson pedestal rebuild kit. I am going to try to give Edson a call to see if they can help me find out which chain and cable I need to order. I can’t wait to have my steering feeling like new!
I believe my wheel pilot is giving a good amount of friction on the wheel, and I am thinking about replacing this as well. Any recommendations on replacements? Right now the boat has no usable electronics, so I’m pretty open to anything. I have a ton of experience with Garmin, so ideally looking for something that will play nice with a Garmin chart plotter down the line, or something that works well independently.
Yes, after i bought my Freedom 32 the steering worked great for about a month, then I started to back out of my slip and the wheel just kept on turnin’ like a bad rock song.
I pulled the binnacle off and the chain had rusted through. UGH.
Got chain from Edson and instructions on how to service and maintain it from Edson. Greased the lines, chain was NOT easy, but got it done. Aligned the quadrangle and works better than ever.
Access is VERY good, in aft cabin, so very easy to fix.
Annual inspection, oil chain and lube and re-align pulleys…very simple.
Next project is it is time for a wheel brake rebuild finally - after 29 years - about $120 kit, takes a bit more disconnecting things but is easy to do, critical for sailing.
One thing to do while back there is GREASE the rudder shaft. There are zirc fittings beyond the back wall. Also inspect the stuffing packed in the rudder bearing. We figured out it was leaking in the Bahamas. Every night while sitting in cockpit the bilge pump would run. Took days to future out that the fitting is out of the water until our weight on the back of the boat drowns it. Voila…we found out leak.
Yes, I have an 85 Hoyt Freedom 32, just like yours.
Chain is a very standard size and like everyone said, go to Edson and order it. Very easy to do. Someone uploaded the web site and plenty of tutorials on YouTube. 30 eight motor oil is recommended The Freedom 32 Manual (on this site) has a whole publication by Edson on maintenance. Not sure which model we have, but there is a serial number inside of it when you take off binnacle compass. Fun.
The emergency tiller is aluminum and doesnt look much like a tiller. It snaps on to the rudder post under the cockpit seat (helm). I found mine in the lazarette…Kinda odd, keep it close just in case. Can send pic if you want me to - have to go back to boat this weekend for a sail.
Thanks. I reached out to Edson this morning and they sent me all of the part #s. I appreciate all of the advice. Did you have to haul to repack your stuffing box? I’m planning on doing all of the work while the boat is on the mooring
No need to pull it for the stuffing box on the rudder post. It sits out of the water when you dont have a bunch of people in the cockpit.
To get to it on the Freedom 32 you need to disassemble all the teak walls in the aft cabin. Just screws…do it when you service the steering cables, etc. You will lose some screws.
You can likewise go through the lazarette, but that requires a small frame and no sense of claustrophobia. I had my kid do that, but ultimately I took apart the aft cabin.
The stuffing box is easy to stuff with new stuffing. It comes out with a screw driver and is easy to pack. I bought a few extra zirk fittings as one was broken - and a grease gun - all at Lowes. They screw in. We grease it all every few years - as it is a bit of a pain (and kids are gone…damn kids).
That is one of the easier fixes. I have to service the clutch on the Edson - and that will definitely be a pain to do. The nut on the wheel is frozen, so it is going to take a big wrench to get it off.
Finally back in business! The idler assembly completely rusted through allowing the pulleys to rip out of the assembly. I got a replacement chain, cable, and recessed idler assembly from Edson which had its challenges. First off, the replacement chain and cable is not a direct replacement to what came original on my boat. Edson assures me that it is the correct one and modification may need to be made. On my radial wheel, I have 2 cables that are attached in the rear which screw into the chain & cable on the pedestal. Does anyone know where to get the replacement that screws in? For now, I cleaned and lubed the old chain, and got a master link to shorten it to accommodate the new idler assembly.
Second hurdle was the new recessed idler assembly is not a direct fit. My marina made a custom plate that raised the idler slightly so it would fit. Not a huge deal, but now the cable is kind of a funny angle relative to the radial wheel. I want to move the radial wheel up about 3/4" to prevent chafing of the cable. Does anyone know that torque spec on the bolts for this?
Now, I am changing the rudder shaft packing…well there wasn’t any in there to replace, but now there will be. I am using 5/8", which is what I saw another user on this forum used for his Hoyt 32. It seems a bit tall for the job and it requires new, longer bolts to fit. Does this sounds right, or am I using the wrong size? I attempted to use 2 pieces of 5/8" packing.
Last thing, which I am debating doing this now or during winter layup…is I have to rewire everything that passes through the pedestal. The marina decided to leave all of my wiring harnesses cut up after I had asked them to remove the pedestal and corroded idler. Not sure if I will wait to rewire the entire boat this winter.
The good news is, for the last 2 weeks I have been back on the boat sailing. It’s a great feeling regardless of the headaches.
I dont recall the packing size I used on the rudder, but it fit really easily and I didnt have to change out any bolts. Go smaller size…it isnt a real critical area as it mostly sits out of the water.
Sorry you had so many mods. I just did simple chain replacement, everything else was fine - once lubed.
BTW - we discovered the leaking packing on rudder in Bimini with everyone in the cockpit - the weight put the area in the water and the bilge ran every hour or so…which is rare as these boats are very dry.
If you are looking for a good wheel pilot that is completely separate from all other systems look at the CPT. It is strong and very reliable and most importantly it is easy to install. Have one on a 44 and love it. Once dialed in it steers better than the helmsman.
