Sailing Zephyr IV · video

What this video covers

Excessive play in the Whitlock Cobra steering pedestal on Zephyr IV developed a loud clank in heavy weather off St Albans Head, and the boat would randomly veer off course when sailing downwind with the wheel centered.3:09 Dave traced the fault to the worn bottom bearing inside the pedestal — a known failure point on the Whitlock Cobra design made by Lumar, where a shaft runs the full length of the pedestal and its lower bearing wears sloppy over time.3:25 Removing the pedestal required stripping the cockpit grating, steering wheel, compass, bow thruster control panel, and engine throttle and gear cables, then working alone to loosen bolts from below with mole grips while unscrewing from the cockpit above.4:18 Because replacing the bottom bearing requires cutting off the arm at the base of the shaft and welding a replacement, Dave drove roughly 20 miles along the coast to Yacht Steering Services, where Cliff machined and welded the repair on a lathe.7:55 Reinstallation used sealant around the cockpit-floor penetration to prevent water ingress into the aft cabin below.9:05 After refitting, the wheel turned with no appreciable play.11:01 The same passage also confirmed a new propeller had added close to a knot of boat speed.0:26

Boats in this video

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