Those Edson People

[waterdog]

The snap ring behind my wheel split in half and most of it disappeared down the scupper.  I'm not sure if was capital "S" Scupper the dog or lower case "s" scupper the cockpit drain.  In any case, it went missing.   So my wheel is currently held in place with half a snap ring and a little pressure from the wheel nut.   

In other words I'm just inches away from some other disaster that will involve the key going down the scupper and the use of the emergency tiller.

So I checked the Edson website and sure they have them there for six or seven bucks, minimum $25 purchase.    Whatever, big hassle with an international shipment and probably some COD charge from UPS.

So I checked with Westmarine today.   Sure enough I could see the clips neatly packaged in a rebuild kit for $93.   I don't mind paying $6 for an 8 cent clip, but $93 is a little over the top.  I asked Westmarine if they had any of the single clips.   

They immediately raised Edson on the phone.   The Westmarine clerk wasn't really clear what they were asking for, so they put me on the line with the Edson guy.   I discovered that I was also missing a washer that should be there.   

The guy says.  "No problem.   What's your address?   I'll ship them out no charge."

I'm like the third owner of steering system purchased by Catalina 20 years ago.   And they are shipping me parts no charge.   

I like these people.   

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

    They did the same thing for me about two years ago.

[Roger Blake]

Edson did the same for me...in fact, they sent an extra spare.

[Ron Hill]

Guys : If you ever have an Edson problem call and talk to Will Keen. He and his brother own Edson.  I've always had great service from them.  A thought

[David Sanner]

Sounds like great customer service... good to hear

Unfortunately I can't say the same for the design of their
chain to wire connection inside the pedestal.

It's right where you can't see it of course but the connection is inside
the pedestal where the chain connects to the stainless wires that go to
the steering quadrant.  Edson uses a rather crude shackle to connect
the last link to the cable.  (The shackle pin goes though the last
link and the bent over flat metal shackle connects to the cable)

Unfortunately the flat metal shackle presses on the thimble
inside the swaged loop at the end of the cable at a couple
pressure points.

In my case this caused the thimble to eventually fail and when
it did the somewhat sharp edges of the shackle ate though
the cable pretty quickly... and of course at one of the most
inopportune times.

The moral of this long tail is don't forget to check your steering
system from time to time... and most importantly look as best as
you can inside the pedestal to see the condition of this crucial
yet questionable connection.