Rotate helm chairs on Sailfish

[onoahimahi]

I tried rotating the helm chairs on my (new-to-me) 94 Sailfish today and both handles just crumbled off. These are plastic handles the slide over an aluminum spline on a 3 inch long aluminum rod. This rod serves as a nut on one end of a U bolt that locks the chair in place. At the other end of the U bolt is a lock nut. I loosened the lock nut with a wrench and was able to rotate both chairs.

How should I fix this?

Thanks,
-Scott

 

[Grog]

Personally I'd take the shaft out and have a handle welded on the end.

 

[freddy063]

I find that the seats ten to swing when you don't what them too. I removed the port side armrest from the captains chair and leave it straight. I never found any reason to spin around the port side chair.

 

[Grog]

I can see locking the capt's chair but when trolling the port chair is usually facing the capt or aft to see the spread.

 

[onoahimahi]

Personally I'd take the shaft out and have a handle welded on the end.

I like that idea but don't have access to aluminum welding equipment. Perhaps I can try pinning something, or using a set screw or through bolt. Once I get some Triple-Guard grease on those threads they should be easy to turn.

I expect to use the chair rotation feature at anchor when fishing or just hanging out. Also for trolling, where the port passenger can face the stern if he wishes.

 

[onoahimahi]

I fixed it for $5.00 :^)

Okay - after the plastic handle broke off, I tried to remove the aluminum rod, nut piece and the stainless threaded part broke off inside the aluminum. So now what... :hmm



I took a trip to Woodcraft to see what kind of handles they have for woodworking jigs and fixtures. They had a good selection, for example:



Then I went to Home Depot looking for ideas for the bolt part and found this brass float rod for $2 that has 1/4 -20 threads on the ends. After annealing, I bet the rod to match the original:



I replaced the ferrous nut in the handle with a SS lock nut and picked up a couple of nylon spacers. The finished product is below and should work great... :dance

 

[seasick]

Interesting but the brass rod is going to be less strong and may bend if tightened. These broken handles are fairly common and replacements are available on the internet although they are not cheap.

 

[onoahimahi]

These broken handles are fairly common and replacements are available on the internet although they are not cheap.

I looked around online first and didn't find anything and my dealer is a 45 minute drive so I improvised. I'll try it out this weekend.

I'd appreciate the link for the these parts if anyone has it.

Thanks,
-Scott

 

[seasick]

here is one link to eBay
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/grady-white-parts

 

[Bob's Cay]

Looks like a nice part you have made. It will probably work fine.

I found replacements for my handles at Marine Connection Liquidators. If I remember correctly they were very reasonably priced. Try calling them.

http://www.themarineconnection.net/

 

[onoahimahi]

Guys - thanks for the links. I found an assembly for $30 with shipping. I'll put the stock one on the port seat and my custom job on my seat.

-Scott

 

[onoahimahi]

Hi - I installed my custom handle today and it seems to work fine. The nylon spacers seemed to compress slightly when I tightened it tight but it held the chair. It would have been better to use aluminum spacers. I think the brass may be strong enough since the forces are longitudinal. However, I will keep an eye out for another OEM setup.

 

[onoahimahi]

Hi - me again on this chair repair. I improved the custom assembly replacing the nylon spacer with an aluminum one I made by drilling a hole through the center of the original broken part. Now it doesn't feel mushy when I lock it in place.

On the port side, I received and installed my OEM assembly from Taylor Marine through EBAY at a cost on $30.

So, on starboard, I have my custom job which cost around $5 and at least 3 hours of my time fabricating it and running round finding parts. On the port side, I have the factory OEM solution which is clearly the better solution. But why is the custom home-made solution so much more satisfying...? :?

"There is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats..."
(K. Grahame)

Cheers,
-Scott