There are two different types of anchor windlass, vertical anchor windlass and horizontal anchor windlass. The best way to decide is to weigh up which option meets your requirements.

The main advantage of vertical anchor windlass is that the profile deck is very compact as the electric motor and the gearbox are under the deck. They are lighter than the horizontal anchor windlasses and their price is more competitive.
Their attactive design make them suitable for every kind of boat, sailboat or motorboat.
With most of the mechanical components are under deck, the maintenance operations are less simple than the horizontal anchor windlasses.

These are the classic anchor windlass design, practical and useful.
Normally they are entirely installed above deck.
All mechanical components and the gearbox are protected by the body and the electric motor by the cover. This makes maintenance operations easy. The installation is very simple and it take less time than the verticals.
They can be mounted into the anchor locker to further reduce the above deck profile.

SELECTION OF A HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM
The strength required to drive a boat equipped with a hydraulic steering system is inversely proportional to the number of turns of the wheel lock-to-lock. The wheel turns are determined by the ratio between the cylinder volume and pump displacement.
With the same type of cylinder installed on the engine, the less are the turns, the faster is the response but higher is the effort; more wheel turns, slower is the response and lower is the effort.
Other factors that can influence steering effort are:
Vessel speed
Rudder dimension, or engine power
Hull type (displacement, planing, etc.) ]]> http://nauticalreport.com/nautical-accessories/hydraulic-steering-systems/feed/ 0 http://nauticalreport.com/nautical-accessories/mechanical-steering-systems-ultraflex/ http://nauticalreport.com/nautical-accessories/mechanical-steering-systems-ultraflex/#comments Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:30:56 +0000 admin http://nauticalreport.com/?p=11 Continue reading →]]> Appropriate mechanical steering system selection

SUGGESTIONS AND WARNINGS WHEN SELECTING A MECHANICAL STEERING SYSTEM
Selection of the appropriate mechanical steering system is an important factor for the safety and functionality of your boat. The combination of engine power, hull type and boat speed influence the correct selection of the steering system.
The load on the steering system increases with the boat speed and engine power; the torque generated by the propeller rotation in high power outboard applications can make it hard to steer.
Big boats with displacement hulls and inboard or non power assisted stern drive engines, can generate high rudder loads: in these cases a mechanical steering system will be inadequate and we suggest the use of an Ultraflex hydraulic steering system.
We always recommend consulting qualified personnel when selecting, installing and maintaining a steering system for your boat.

ADVANTAGES OF A PLANETARY GEAR DESIGN
Ultraflex mechanical steering helms T71FC, T73NRFC as well as dual cable versions and tilt wheel versions use a Planetary Gear Design. A Planetary Gear Design has three satellite gears that rotate on their axis and at the same time rotate around the central helm axis. This allows for equal distribution of engine torque over three points of the central gear, dividing and balancing the system loads. The benefits of this special design are increased system longevity, increased efficiency and less engine feedback compared to single pinion gear helms.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A NON-REVERSIBLE STEERING SYSTEM FOR INCREASED SAFETY
The steering system of a boat is the mechanism that determines the boat direction when the steering wheel is turned.
If, for any circumstance, the driver does not hold the steering wheel, a dangerous situation may occur caused by a sudden change of direction of the boat due to external forces (waves, currents, etc.) or internal forces such as rudder torque originated by the way of rotation of the propeller.
Engine torque usually generates a load on the steering system that must be continually compensated for by the driver even when the boat is going straight. The additional effort by the driver to maintain a true course can often cause fatigue.
With Ultraflex Non-Reversible steering helms T73NRFC, T74NRFC, T83NRFC, T84NRFC the loads applied to the steering system are no longer a problem.
A special patented device allows the helm shaft to lock until turned by the driver, maintaining the boat direction and neutralizing the feedback loads on the steering cable.
This mechanism is engaged when the driver is not turning the wheel and is automatically disengaged as soon as the driver applies pressure on the wheel to change direction of the boat.
The Ultraflex Non-Reversible mechanism makes driving a boat safer and easier.

USE AND MAINTENANCE
The steering cable must be installed avoiding excessive and/or tight bends. This will provide the driver with easy handling at all speed, helping to reduce inefficiency and excess play in the system.
Marine corrosion may cause the materials to deteriorate affecting maneuvering efficiency and in the worst case, system failure. By following the engine manufacturer specifications, the steering cable end fittings and the engine cable support must be cleaned and greased periodically; these simple operations minimize wear and corrosion in the system.
The steering cable must be regularly inspected. If steering becomes hard, inconsistent, cuts on the conduit surface are noticed, or any other component found damaged, the cable must be replaced immediately.
When storing your boat for an extended period of time we recommend removing the steering cable end fitting from its engine side support and cleaning it adequately.

The best inflation pressure is 0,2 bar. This is the pressure where you should be able to press the body of the fender visible easy with your flat hand. For deflating just push a pen slightly in the valve to let the air out. If you push to hard and to deep, the valve will be damaged.

Is a valve is leaking you can replace it with turning in a bolt M3 (or a woodscrew). You turn the bolt or woodscrew into the valve and pull the valve out with a pair of tongs. After inspecting you can push a new valve or the same inspected or cleaned valve back in the tube with a pen.