Posted by ketch_sailor (ketch_sailor@…>)
Currently listed for sale on www.yachtworld.com is an elegantly
restored 1978 Freedom 40 mid-cockpit cat ketch. The boat is located
in the Netherlands.
Because I hope to own a similar boat in the not too distant future, I
have studied the photo’s in the ad fairly carefully. In addition to
the boat’s beautiful interior and well thought out systems, two
photo’s show a steering system of the sprocket/chain/cable pull-pull
type, not the hydraulic steering system that I have seen on other
F’40’s of this same model and vintage.
My questions to the group are these:
a.) Were two steerings systems offered by Freedom or should I assume
that the Dutch boat has junked the stock hydraulics and retrofitted a
sprocket/chain/cable system?
b.) Has anyone seen this or similar set-up and does anyone know the
specifics of how this chain/cable system was engineered?
The photos clearly show the steering cables descending from the
sprocket, passing through two sheaves and turning outboard toward
what one would assume are additional sheaves which would turn the
direction of the cables aft. However, no conduit or steering cable is
visible in photos of the aft cabin, nor are there any quadrants or
tiller arms visible in the photos.
c.) How would one calculate the dimensions of such a system, for
example; how long a tiller arm would be necessary to turn the big
F’40 aft hung rudder?
How could the inlet through the transom be engineered to
provide the necessary leverage, turning radius, unobstructed access
and watertight integrity?
d.) Would the length of the cable run and overall cable strech be a
problem with this type of system? One could imagine that in a big
puff with lots of weather helm, the wheel hard over and the boat
slowly rounding up as the cable stretched out.
Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated, Thank you.
Rick Wright
s/v ANNIE
Davis Creek,MD