1971 Steering issues

[ppudwell]

I have a 1971 25 foot Albin (non delux) with stuck steering....what type of steering is in this modle and how would you go about replacing it?

[leprof31]

Stuck? Hum... what do you mean the steering is stuck?
Any steering, wood, bakalite or metal will do the job... I have one in steinless and my brother in wood... But are you sure, it is a steering problem?

[DougSea]

Looking at your rudder post or the back side of your helm should answer the question of "what type". When trying to resolve "stuck" you would need to identify the "where" portion first; is the wheel jammed, the hub assembly or is it at the rudder.

Need more info!

[Emelie]

What a coincidence!

I am at this current moment documenting the way we managed to fix our steering on our Albin 25 1971.

In our case the culprit was the "sugarcube" holding the wire that was almost broken. I fixed it BEFORE anything happened so i don't know what would have happen if it would have broken. Maybe it would have felt like the steering was "stuck".

Have a look at the pictures - is your "sugarcube" broken?

Rear steering mounting.jpg

DSCF6189.JPG

The rear steering wire mounting with the "sugarcube" is underneat the left bed. You need too unscrew the "bed" to see it clearly.

Let me know if you problem is the same as mine was.

[sail149]

HI
on a small wheel steered Sail Club support boat we had very stiff steering our little boat . we Lubricated the cable for weeks, got a special lubricator,and did all sorts , finally we gave up and bought a new Morse cable and it came with the steering hub all for under $150. Why did we wait so long? It was night and day better! These cable just give up the ghost after a while. After you are sure its not the rudder , check by disconnecting the cable, and then try the cable if it's stiff or solid you know what to do.
Good Luck
warren
PS measure the old one (or take with you) to get the right replacement length , very important to avoid kinks etc

[ppudwell]

Thanks for all the suggetions, but all I had to do is take the steering cable out and free the cable (a little rusty) and lube the heck out of it again and she works like a dream.

[DougSea]

Glad to hear you got it worked out! And cheaply!

As someone who has had the steering cable on a boat fail at a really bad time I would suggest that you keep a close eye on this. Nothing quite like the feeling of turning the wheel, but not the boat!!

[leprof31]

I will during my winterizing inspection! Be sure of that!