The Jefa RP100 rack and pinion steering system.

With the 100 seriespedestal Jefa Steering introduces a new style in classicpedestal design. The traditional "wine glass" shape is combined with modernlines into a beautiful pedestal design. The important accessories like the guardrail and the compass binnacle are integratedinto the concept. Due to this innovative design no mountings bolts are visible on any part of the exterior of the pedestal. The integrated compass offers easy and clear readings withouttheneed of a separate binnacle. The 32 mm diameter stainless steel 316 guardrailisfirmly attached to the pedestal head offering the best protection for the compass and pedestal combinedwith a strong support when moving around inthecockpit. The integratedpowerful and progressive friction brake can be operated without putting one's hand through the wheel.The 100 series pedestal concept has big advantages over existing similarconcepts: All pedestalparts are machined from seawater resistant solid Aluminium6082.Asthismaterial is also used for rudder shafts, it will not corrode,even when it's exposedby a surface damage. Nocastedaluminium partsare used in this pedestal. The robustpowder coated aluminium base has nomounting holes for pedestal bolts as these are integratedin the pedestal deck flange. This avoids multiple weak points for damage with the accompanying corrosionand possible leaking. The input socket has no exterior mounting bolts for a stylish look and avoiding multiple potential corrosion and damage points. The robustguardrailis mounted directly to the pedestal head avoiding a top plate with mounting bolts with potential corrosion points. The compass binnacle is integrated inthe pedestal design avoiding a set ofmounting bolts with potential corrosion. The steering shaft is sealed by the Jefa developed PUR seal. Normal industry seals use steel reinforcement rings in the rubber housing. As the standard industry rubberwill start to crack due to the UV in the sunlight, the steel rings will corrode and destroy the seal letting water in the steering shaft bearings with disastrouseffects. The PUR seal willguaranteean lifelong sealing.The RP100 is the rack and pinion steering versionof the 100 series pedestal. The steering pedestal is usable for boats up to50' in length (above 45'a big wheelhas to be used). The 25mm steering shaft is equipped with thestandard international 1" taper to fit all Jefa wheels up to 1500 mm diameter. The steering shaft has 2 ball bearings spaced maximum apart in the input pinion of the pedestal driving the gearwheel with a reduction of 5:1.On top of the exterior innovative advantages described above, the RP100 also has major construction advantages over existing similar pedestal concepts: The input pinion has no exterior mounting bolts for a stylish look and less chance of damage and corrosion. The input assembly can be easy removed from the inside of the pedestal. The nickel aluminium bronze gearwheelis not casted but made from solid extruded nickel aluminiumbronze, making it extremely strong and homogeneous and free from any porosity. The gearwheelis bolted to the vertical driving shaft with 4 off M12 bolts allowing the gearwheel to be easy removable for service,inspection and if necessary future replacement. The verticaldriving shaft ismade of high strength aluminium (proof stress of 280 N/mm² compared to200 N/mm²for stainless steel) with a large outside diameter of 70 mm and a wall thickness of 5 mmmakingitindestructible and enormously stiff, so the gears will never run out of mesh. The vertical driving shaft bottom bearing is a 70 mm Jefa rudder bearingguarantying a strong and non-corrosive solution. Please visit our extended website and online catalogue www.jefa.com for more information.