Dehler yachts circa 1990 question

[yelbis]

Hi My Dehler 34 is fitted with a Whitlock Cobra wheel steering system. There are 2 rod ends on the drag link which is connecting the lever on the bottom of the pedestal to the lever on the rudder stock. Apparently these are to be lubricated twice a year.

I have delved into the rear cabin and cannot see any grease points or indeed any access to these moving parts without removal of the complete pedestal. Is this correct or am I missing something. The manual is no help..

 

[yelbis]

Hopefully there are other Dehler owners on the forum

 

[lpdsn]

Hopefully there are other Dehler owners on the forum

Yes, but your system is nothing like mine (Dehler CWS of 1992 vintage). There is a Dehler Owner's forum (www.dehlerowners.co.uk) but the way they've set it up with very fragmented forums seems to have killed it off before it started - might just be worth a try though.

 

[yelbis]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I have gone down the owners club route and unfortunately its pretty poor. I have googled for any persons familiar with the 34 and 31 and come up with the original supplier.
There are a few around the Solent but not everyone comes on the forum.

 

[dgadee]

Hi My Dehler 34 is fitted with a Whitlock Cobra wheel steering system. There are 2 rod ends on the drag link which is connecting the lever on the bottom of the pedestal to the lever on the rudder stock. Apparently these are to be lubricated twice a year.

I have delved into the rear cabin and cannot see any grease points or indeed any access to these moving parts without removal of the complete pedestal. Is this correct or am I missing something. The manual is no help..

I have the Solimar version with the solid rod from under the wheel to the rudder but there's no place to lubricate those joints on mine. A Cobra manual is here:

https://www.lewmar.com/\assets\img\dataset\Manual-Cobra Installation and Maintenance Guide.pdf

Is that any use?

I agree the Dehler forum is moribund. There is a commercial link with it, but I never got an answer to queries when I emailed.

 

[saltylegs]

Looking at the link from dgadee above,
my best guess is that your instructions are to lubricate the rose joints on each end of the drag link.
I would use a little light machine oil a couple of times a year.IMHO.

 

[yelbis]

Thanks for the manual. Would you believe there is no access to lubricate these joints!!!!!!!!

 

[PaulR]

we had a 90's dehler 34 until last season - if you put the wheel on full lock we could get to the joints by reaching from the aftliferaft locker having removed on our boat the black perspex screw on covers that closed the gap between the front of the rudder shaft and rear of the cockpit floor and then reach into the gap - by getting full lock and maximum reach we could get to the front one - having said that we replaced them when they became worn but never specifically lubricated them