tolerable misalignment (cable pulley) in a cable steering installation.

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Chanquete

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Hello
The usual advice states that cable and pulley should be aligned. As far as I know no special measuring instruments are normally used in a cable steering installation..
I am curious to know how much misalignment (degrees) should be tolerated.
 
Chanquete said:
Hello
The usual advice states that cable and pulley should be aligned. As far as I know no special measuring instruments are normally used in a cable steering installation..
I am curious to know how much misalignment (degrees) should be tolerated.
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Maybe place wedge shaped spacers under misaligned sheaves.? A couple of degrees out with decent profile sheaves is probably no issue between sheaves however if
the barrel behind the wheel is ungrooved then it would be wise to get the guide sheaves to this correct to minimise chaffing.
 
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Just as long as the cable isn't grazing the cheek of the frame or the lip of the sheave you'll be okay. If the wire kisses the lip of the groove in the sheave it will do Very Bad Things to the sheave itself, and Worse Things to your wallet!
 
Adamastor said:
Just as long as the cable isn't grazing the cheek of the frame or the lip of the sheave you'll be okay. If the wire kisses the lip of the groove in the sheave it will do Very Bad Things to the sheave itself, and Worse Things to your wallet!
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Like when the cable or sheave fails ... when you need steering!!
There is no tolerable level of missalingment on the cable sheaves... they have to run true or they will fail
 
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Tomahawk said:
Like when the cable or sheave fails ... when you need steering!!
There is no tolerable level of missalingment on thencable sheaves... they have to run true or they will fail
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I agree totally with 'Tomohawks' warning above. Someone I know (a very experienced sailor) lost his boat and very nearly his life due to losing his steering through cable failure. The tragedy of it was, he was told his cable alignment to his steering quadrant was a dogs breakfast but proceeded to go deep sea anyway.

Why take the risk, when with a little preparation and work getting things right will give you peace of mind. If you're caught in a blow and the strains on your rudder are maximised, will you feel easy knowing that your cable alignment is not as good as it could be. Your call...
 
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