Where There’s a Will

Where There’s a Will

Some 10 days ago, my weekly inspection of the steering compartment showed that one of the sheaves that guide the cable to the quadrant had sheared off the cotter pin that retains the sheave axle.

Not good.

I tried to get to the axle without luck. The compartment is just to small and cramped. Even removing some of the bits and pieces between the locker door and the axle likely wouldn’t help.

Still not good.

While becalmed this evening, I figured this might be the only chance in a while to try and do something. I had hoped the Southwest might cooperate, but not a chance. With the boat rolling through 30 degrees, I began to gather tools.

After an hour I gave up. Despite removing as much as I could, I just couldn’t get deep enough into the compartment. Moreover, I discovered another missing cotter pin and what was not good before was bordering on bad.

The thought of one of the sheave axles falling away and what it would take to fix that renewed my interest in preventing a disaster. In the upper left background of the photo, you can see the sheave I was trying to get to. The tiny pinprick of light you see in the middle of the sheave is the newly placed cotter. I got it in, but there was simply no way to open it. At least it’s in place. The second sheave axle is not visible. I got that cotter in also and opened so I’m calling it done until I can get get somewhere where it is possible to remove the quadrant.

I have no idea how I fit into that space, let alone managed the cotter. Where there’s a will,there’s a way.

Follow my tracks in real-time:
https://bit.ly/svseaburban