Steve,

I haven't done the conversion, but the previous owner of my boat did an interesting and useful mod.  I have wheel steering that was moved from the normal just behind the fore cabin to just before the engine hatch and as far to port as it could be placed.  What this does is allow more room in moving about the cockpit and allows the helmsman to side on the port seat with his/her back resting against the aft cabin bulkhead.
As far as the cable goes, it runs from under the wheel steering unit to the port wall and aft through the last two lockers towards the rudder.  It is a single cable, push/pull type I believe.



Dan Underwood
1977 Dawson 26, Hull #264
"DOVE"
formerly:Buzzards Bay, MA
now:  Fort Pierce, FL

Thanks for the reply from all,
Is there any way I could see a picture of the setup from underneath.
It's very clear that my setup has very little clearance between the
floor and the trunk for the swing keel.
This is my big concern.
I'm plannning a similar edson conversion with a pull-pull cable system. Location is a good idea and will probably think the same.

quote:

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Originally posted by CKaro

I redid my Helm Steering with a Pull-Pull cable system.  Thought out by myself and assist from Edson systems in New Bedford, MA.  My Push/Pull cable parted and there is no replacement.  I was able to use the original Helm and stand. I just added cables and cable casings running under the aft bunks to the Rudder.   Edson Systems have in there file drawers, specs on the Parker/Dawson.  They are very helpful.  If you need more infomation on what or how I did it I will be glad to explain in detail.
ckaro@comcast.net
1973 Midship
Kimberly Marie
Plymouth, MA
~~~_/) ~~~~

Chris Karo
s/v Kimberly Marie
Midship 25
Plymouth MA
~~~~~_/)~~~~~

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Steve Johnson

Steering conversion!  Question for you Steve.
 When you had the rudder disconnected, did you get a feel for how much force was required to move the rudder cage from outside.  I'm about to disconnect the cage from the push/pull cable and am curious as to how much built in friction there is.  I suspect that the mounting system on mine is not the stock arrangement and may be aluminum casting against a stainless bolt, top and bottom.  Any thoughts ?

Steve Fisher

Steve,
You're push pull cable probably had the same problem mine had with the tiller. I had to stuggle to steer the boat due to the cable worn so badly. Tried lubes, rotating cable housing ext with no luck.
If you pull the cable a company called "teleflex" may be able to make a new one for you. photo's dims ext. As of about 5 years ago they were doing this.
FYI: My new wheel setup I can turn with zero effort in air (one finger). In the water and reaching you know you are steering but 1/2 the effort of the old push pull I had.
NEVER LIKED THE TILLER WHICH IS WHY ID MADE IT GO AWAY (otherwise I would have contaced teleflex).
Lastly, You may be able to modify to the pull pull system. 3+ years and TROUBLE FREE.


Steve Johnson