Glen-L.com

I have noticed in several photos of Monaco construction that that the steering helm is located behind the bulkhead, as opposed to behind the dashboard. The helm is then connected to the steering wheel by an extension of some kind that is in turn housed in a hollow tube This extension does not appear to be something that is sold commercially. How can I achieve this effect?

I will assume that in years past, when boat steering systems were mostly cables and pulleys (had that on my Peterborough/40 horse Gale rig) it was simply a steering yolk similar to what you have in a car.

With a bit of "fiddling" you could probably achieve the effect using a modern steering system by using a "keyed shaft" (with a diameter the same as the helm) to give you the length you desire between wherever you want to mount the helm and the steering wheel and support it with a couple of pillow blocks and bearings. And if you really wanted you could put the assembly through a tube.

You may need the assistance of a machine shop since the most steering wheels mount on a tapered shaft, but a bit of work could accomodate that.

If you used a stainless steel tube, you could have the pillow blocks welded to each end - you could do the same with a aluminum tube but finding someone to do that welding could be a little tougher and perhaps more costly.

Have I totally confused you? or do you get what I'm trying to suggest...

_________________
Graham

Yes, Plywood is "real" wood

A "professional" is someone who gets paid for their work - it doesn't necessarily mean they are good at it

What you have seen are steering columns from older classic boats like Chris Craft, Century, etc. I used one salvaged from a Century Resorter. It is just like an automobile setup, with a steering box at the end, mounted to the motor stringer. A length of 1/2inch pipe connects to the arm on the steering box, and runs along the motor stringer back to the tiller on the rudder. It is very simple and works great. Plus it keeps with the look of the old boats Bruce Dow used a similar setup on his Monaco, but I think he adapted a teleflex type steering system at the end of the column instead of the steering box.

Rich

Rich has the real thing.

I did a fake.

I have a normal teleflex helm, but put it in front of the bulkhead, rather than immediately behind the dash. I had an old steering shaft that fit my "vintage" wheel. I fabricated a simple coupler to connect the old shaft to the teleflex helm. All of that is inside a tube.

The pictures aren't very good, but you can get the general idea from the website link in my sig line.

Here's my result...



Good luck...

_________________
Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project

I was able to purchase the entire steering column with the throttle and horn in the steering wheel on EBAY so they are out there.

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John Amundsen
Monte Carlo
Winter Haven, FL

Maybe it will be done by G6 and maybe not.

John -

Nice. Do you have a picture? I have been looking for a wheel with the throttle on the hub, but haven't seen one that is in my "snack bracket".


(one of these days)

_________________
Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project