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Installed folding helm step
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:21 am
by BobCT
Thanks to Michael for posting this a few weeks ago. The only issue is I thought It would lock in a horizontal position (as shown in the website pics). You can't really do that because the locking knobs don't provide enough tension so the slightest pressure causes it to slip downward. There's a bevel cut into step bracket so it's designed to be in this slightly downward position. It's probably more comfortable like this anyway.
It does fold out of the way if needed. I believe I paid $160 delivered.

- image.jpg (81.48 KiB) Viewed 2680 times
Bob
Re: Installed folding helm step
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:29 am
by ready123
Looks good.... Time to go cruisin?
Re: Installed folding helm step
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:39 am
by BobCT
I'm getting there! Probably another month due to weather and a couple of more projects. I need to change the intake manifold gasket on my port engine this weekend and then I'm down to a punch list. In the past week I installed a galvanic isolator and added circuit breakers near the stern. I had to do that because I relocated the shore power outlets to the transom which made them too far from the panel breakers. ABYC specifies circuit protection within 10'.
Also added a shower wash down and underwater lights. Both are roughed In and need final hook ups which I can do in the water if I run out of time.
Bob
Re: Installed folding helm step
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 10:49 am
by rickalan35
You've been busy, Bob. Looks like a good job.
I think it'll really make for a more comfortable position at the helm, especially if cruising for more than a couple of hours.
Thanks for posting a photo of the helm step. I have been thinking about a similar step for my Tricabin helm. I think that now I will go ahead with that project.
I also would like to add (build) two custom teak, intermediate steps leading up from the rear sole to either side deck. So I guess I have some "step" projects ahead of me.
Rick
Re: Installed folding helm step
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 5:06 pm
by yorklyn
Nice work on the step Bob!
. Did you use a single galvanic isolator for both 30amp shore power connections? If so which one did you use? (Just started looking into adding that).
Where did you mount your underwater lights? What type did you go with?
Re: Installed folding helm step
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 1:40 pm
by BobCT
I went with the Yandina unit which handles both 30 amp legs. After doing a lot of research, I went with Lumitech Seablaze lights in blue. By the book, our size beam recommends four but I went with three. I really didn't want the amp draw of four and they're expensive enough already @ $300 each.
I'm mounting one between the zinc plate and drain plug and the other two next to the trim tabs. I should have some pics in the water in about a month or so...
Bob