Njlarry
Well-Known Member
Ok guys I took one for the team and cut out the transom trunk floor to explore getting access to the steering gear. Hopefully the pics will attach.
What I found good and bad..
The floor is about 3 inches thick, 3/4 plywood, 2 inches of foam sandwiched around a layer of hard rubber. Like they just layed a sheet of sound proffing to entire deck before lowering it onto the hull.
Was glad I used my shortest blade fully guarded or my water tank would now be slit accross the top.
There is easy access to the attachment bolts for my POS ghs hydrualic swimm plateform and the line connections.
There is easy inspection and even possible adjustment of the steering gear tie rod.
With the hatch removed and a long arm it might be possible to wrench the two bolts connecting the tie rod to the steering ram.
I doubt that the trim tab lines are reachable as they are lower and more outboard. Pity as I would like to add bennet auto controlers.
The steering ram cannot be replaced from there nor can the lines be inspected for leaks. I think it would require at the very least removing the gen exhaust, starboard fuel filter mounting board and a skinny nephew.
No way to adjust or repack the rudder glands.
I plan to make a removeable water tight cover for future access.
Now at least we know.
What I found good and bad..
The floor is about 3 inches thick, 3/4 plywood, 2 inches of foam sandwiched around a layer of hard rubber. Like they just layed a sheet of sound proffing to entire deck before lowering it onto the hull.
Was glad I used my shortest blade fully guarded or my water tank would now be slit accross the top.
There is easy access to the attachment bolts for my POS ghs hydrualic swimm plateform and the line connections.
There is easy inspection and even possible adjustment of the steering gear tie rod.
With the hatch removed and a long arm it might be possible to wrench the two bolts connecting the tie rod to the steering ram.
I doubt that the trim tab lines are reachable as they are lower and more outboard. Pity as I would like to add bennet auto controlers.
The steering ram cannot be replaced from there nor can the lines be inspected for leaks. I think it would require at the very least removing the gen exhaust, starboard fuel filter mounting board and a skinny nephew.
No way to adjust or repack the rudder glands.
I plan to make a removeable water tight cover for future access.
Now at least we know.