Edison Pedestal lock knob

[davidpm]

Just did a 70 mile sail without autohelm.
I notice that I could balance the helm for a few minutes if I tighten the locking screw on the helm.
This way I could correct a few inches every minute or two and not have a hand on the wheel all the time.

Does this "trick" wear out something inside the steering column?
Bad Idea?

[Banshi]

I could eventually but they sell rebuild kits for that when and if it eventually stops holding.

[SVCarolena]

We do the same thing on our boat. The only part that wears is the two friction pads around the shaft on which the wheel is mounted, which are pushed into the shaft when you tighten the lock knob. This is inside the pedistal and it looks like a miniature version of drum brake pads on car or truck. As already stated, Edson sells repair kits that include the pads. However, I think it would take a very long time for them to wear out. We've also found that if we are feeling lazy and the winds aren't too strong, we can just let the boat go and it will self steer when we are on a reach to close hauled, turning into the wind with the puffs and off the wind in the lulls. The slight deviations in each direction tend to cancel one another out over time, keeping us generally on course. I know it isn't the most efficent or fastest way to get to our destination, but it seems to be a good lazy-man's autopilot when we aren't in any hurry.

[christyleigh]

You are OK as long as you completely release and tighten down hard. I wore out a set of "brake pads" in one season by not completely releasing them.

[PalmettoSailor]

Has anyone done the replacement? The pads on our new to us C36 are pretty well completely shot and I need to do the replacement. Of course Edson is charging close to $50 for 2 rubber pads, a cotter pin and some glue.

I was wondering if anyone has devised a lower cost alternative. I have some rubber strips of various thicknesses left over from a home project. I may try "relining" the brake with homemade pads rather than pay 10 times what the materials are worth.