Edson Pedestal

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Rob Jackson

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Sep 25, 2024, 3:48:04 PM9/25/24
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Hi All,

On my 1967 Bristol 39 I have the Edson pedestal. Unfortunately, the cap nut that holds the throttle and transmission clamp bolted to the pedestal came off. The cap nut is on the aft side of the post. 

After googling, I saw some suggestions about trying to manipulate it back into the hole with a couple of wooden dowels. I have almost had it a couple of times. When I looked closer at the clamp itself, (just give me the cataract surgery please so I can actually see something! ) the Phillips head machine screw would need to be held to firmly screw on the cap nut. There is no way I can see to get anything down there to do it, no room. 

Also, having perused the Edson website, my set up looks nothing like the ones they use in their videos even though it was rebuilt in 2016 (I believe). 

Attaching some pictures, curious if anybody else has the same set up or had the same issue. 

Thanks,                                         Rob                                          Aeolus                                        1967 B39                                       No hull #







maurice...@gmail.com

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Sep 25, 2024, 4:00:21 PM9/25/24
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Rob,

Ouch!

I bit the bullit and replaced the whole system about 15 years ago…pedestal, idler and cable.  I think those old idlers were iron and tend to rust out.

Not cheap but peace of mind.

Maurice
S/V  Bacchus
Sent from my iPad

On Sep 25, 2024, at 3:48 PM, Rob Jackson <robjac...@gmail.com> wrote:


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Rob Jackson

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Sep 25, 2024, 4:54:22 PM9/25/24
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Yes Maurice the guys at Edson said anything before 1979 they don’t even really know anything about! 

The pedestal itself is in great shape, and the idler, sheaves and cables were replaced along with the chain. Will see what develops. 

Silver lining is I just got back from an eight day cruise which was wonderful with amazing weather etc, thankfully it didn’t happen then.

Thanks for the response


Scott Rosenthal

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Sep 25, 2024, 5:14:11 PM9/25/24
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Rob,

 

I have the same pedestal. However, mine has a threaded hole instead of the screw that you have. With mine, I’ve reattached it by using an awl to line up the threads with the pedestal hole, remove the awl, and then thread in the screw. Obviously, that doesn’t help you at this moment.

 

Last year I rebuilt the top part of the pedestal. With everything removed from the top part, you can then reach in and push the screw and clamp against the pedestal hole and put the cap nut on. It’s not that difficult to take it all apart and put it back together. Put a towel or rag down the tube to catch any parts that accidentally drop! The hard part is centering the wheel again (getting the right sprocket in the right section of chain. Doing it yourself is a PIA. Having someone to help while you’re down in the locker is a godsend.

 

Another thought is to disconnect the cables from the injector pump and the transmission. Then, without removing anything in the top part of the pedestal, pull the two cables and the bracket up to the top. Pass a piece of sailing twine through the pedestal hole from aft to forward. Tie a piece of sailing twine around the screw and then, while lowering the cables back down the pedestal, try to use the twine to pull the screw through the hole and get the cap nut on with a few turns. Then, cut off the twine and push the tail back into the pedestal.

 

I have a lot of Edson information on my website at https://www.sltf.com/boat/manuals/Edson/

 

Regards,

 

Scott

1980 B40 “Willow” #110

Rob Jackson

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Sep 25, 2024, 5:25:33 PM9/25/24
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Hey Scott,

I’ve learned the hard way ie “always use a towel” :)

I like the twine idea but still need to secure the screw from the inside to tighten the nut otherwise it will just spin.
There appears to be a hole in the bracket to accommodate this. I may have to disassemble it. Try the twine tomorrow if it doesn’t rain. 

Thanks
Rob


Dan Stadtlander

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Sep 25, 2024, 5:37:45 PM9/25/24
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I’m late to this discussion but I love the original Edson pedestal. The newer ones seem to use more aluminum rather than the original and I don’t think I the new ones will last as long.  I got rid of the pedestal post throttle and put a one lever shifter throttle on the cockpit side. Awlgripped the pedestal and it looks brand new.  See photos from 2017 rebuild.
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Sent from my iPad

On Sep 25, 2024, at 5:14 PM, Scott Rosenthal <sc...@sltf.com> wrote:



Scott Rosenthal

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Sep 25, 2024, 5:42:53 PM9/25/24
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Or, use a tap and throw away the non-captive screw. Then you can put the screw in from outside like on my pedestal.

Message has been deleted

robjac...@gmail.com

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Sep 28, 2024, 10:18:38 AM9/28/24
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Thanks for all the responses.

 Scott, your twine approach was the ticket. It was a battle to get it lined up and through the hole but perseverance paid off
with the twine and 2 wooden dowels:

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Keeping tension on bolt:
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Gotcha!  
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Bingo
The bolt didn’t rotate on the inside so was able to completely tighten cap nut
(With blue locktite)
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I noticed that the PO (or his henchman) had let the cotter pin from the brake shaft drop to the base of the pedestal.
I tried to get it out with a dowel and a ball of tape on the end, but that proved fruitless. May resort to my shop vac with a small hose attached.
But the twine method worked perfectly and gently dropping it to the appropriate level and then pushing it in with a screwdriver  (
that saved me from losing down the rabbit hole)
IMG_4497 Medium.jpeg

Scott Rosenthal

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Sep 29, 2024, 6:11:49 AM9/29/24
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Congratulations! I’m glad it worked out and the cost was minimal (unlike too many boat projects on our older boats).

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Henning Christensen

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Sep 29, 2024, 10:25:40 AM9/29/24
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By mistake I unscrewed the screw on my pedestal. I turned out to be a VERY good mistake. to be able to get the inside lined up again I decided to remove the chain.Have look at the photo!
Also attached is a screen shot of the replacement from Amazon.
Happy sailing ⛵️
B40/98/1980



Henning Christensen

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Sep 29, 2024, 10:26:08 AM9/29/24
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On Sun, Sep 29, 2024 at 06:11 Scott Rosenthal <sc...@sltf.com> wrote:

Henning Christensen

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Sep 29, 2024, 10:29:14 AM9/29/24
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Rob

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Sep 29, 2024, 10:31:00 AM9/29/24
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Wow, good for you. Don't see the Amazon replacement though?

Rob

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Sep 29, 2024, 10:31:54 AM9/29/24
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Oops
Didn't scroll down 

Henning Christensen

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Sep 29, 2024, 10:33:15 AM9/29/24
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Sorry I screwed up sending the photos They came one after the other

Scott Rosenthal

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Sep 29, 2024, 12:37:59 PM9/29/24
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Great find! There’s no such thing on these boats as, “out of sight, out of mind”.

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