Replacing Steering Cable

When we were sailing offshore on our way to the Bahamas the steering system would make a loud squealing noise from time to time. The noise seemed to be coming from the port side and happened in heavy seas. In addition, I have occasionally heard a soft clattering noise coming from the port side when I turn the steering wheel. Yesterday George removed the floor to take a look at the steering system and found a badly frayed cable on the port side. We are lucky that the steering didn’t completely fail when we were offshore. George had checked the steering system before we left home and everything was fine. 

It took George all day to remove the cable. He had to borrow a long-throated socket to remove the nuts holding the steering pedestal to the floor. Fortunately, Craig from Tilt had what he needed and was anchored close by. We read on the Hanse owner’s forum that someone else had temporarily replaced a broken cable with Dyneema line. Dyneema is actually stronger than wire and doesn’t stretch. George replaced the frayed portion of the cable with Dyneema and is working on finding the appropriate replacement wire cable.

Frayed cable

Steering quadrant with original starboard cable on the left and replacement Dyneema line on the right. FYI, the black bits are parts of the autopilot.