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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:56 am
by prowlersfish
alexander38 wrote:link didn't work...

works for me no proplem just tried it
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:02 am
by alexander38
it worked that time... That's a nice one...
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:14 am
by JimK
Thanks guys. I think the one I am looking at may be a wiring conduit as it has hydraulic steering.
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:46 am
by prowlersfish
I did see one that had a pipe there that looked to be for wiring not steering ( too large )
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:41 am
by Big D
If it's like the one in Paul's pic, it's a steering rod; pre hydraulic mechanical/linkage steering. Turn the wheel at the lower helm, if the rod turns, it's steering hardware. Will probably have chain, pipe in bilge and steering box by rudders. Very robust system but not the best for straight tracking.
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 3:11 pm
by rossjo
JimK wrote:I looked at an F32 that has a support rod that goes between the bulkhead in the salon and the shelf to the left of the lower helm. I looked through a number of ads on Yachtworld to see if I could find other examples and there are a few that I saw that also have this support rod. They look to me like they were added by the owner. Does anyone know if this is indicative of a structural problem with the roof or the flybridge?
Thanks,
Jim
Jim,
That is the steering rod between the upper and lower helm. Grab it and turn the wheel - it turns!
My 1972 F32 has this and the systems works very well if properly adjusted, lubricated and maintained (the gear box where this rod connects to the lower helm needs to be bushed out as it wears). I prefer this over hydraulic steering ... which can leak and leave you with no steering.

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 2:38 pm
by JimK
Thanks for the picture. That is very helpful. I believe that one that I looked at must have been a conduit. It was much thicker than what is showing in the picture that you posted.
On an unrelated note, does anyone know what year the F32 went to all fiberglass construction. I looked at a 1990 that the seller told me was all fiberglass but did not know if any previous years where all fiberglass.
Thanks,
Jim
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 3:03 pm
by rossjo
All F32's were fiberglass - that's what the "F" in F32 means ...
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 3:30 pm
by JimK
True, although some of the F32's have cored decks and same have all fiberglass decks. I was wondering if anyone knows what year they moved from the cored decks to the all fiberglass.
Thanks,
Jim
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:05 pm
by Stripermann2
JimK wrote:True, although some of the F32's have cored decks and same have all fiberglass decks. I was wondering if anyone knows what year they moved from the cored decks to the all fiberglass.
Thanks,
Jim
I believe that all F series decks, are cored. Have not heard any to the contrary.
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:46 pm
by captainmaniac
One difference is in the cockpit... older vintages had teak cockpit soles while later ones (I forget the year - 76 or 77 perhaps) the cockpits were switched to glass. Same thing was done for the F36 and Tri Cabins too.
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 7:05 pm
by prowlersfish
They all have the cored decks front and rear unless its teak . You will be hard pressed to find a glass boat with out cored decks I can't think of one .( less boats with wood decks )
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 7:17 pm
by Stripermann2
Paul, the rear cockpit deck plate and transom are not cored but matted fiberglass. Unless as you say, with teak, as in earlier models.
The bridge, midship gunnels forward and foredeck are cored.
This may have been what you mean?
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 7:28 pm
by prowlersfish
Jamie , I believe you will find the rear deck cored also look at readys photo and I know my F30 was also . If your lucky you will never find out . Maybe the did change but that sure would have added cost and weight . I will bring my drill with me next time I am up your way .
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 7:40 pm
by alexander38