The Jefa RP200 rack and pinion steering system.

With the 200 series pedestal Jefa Steering introduces a new style integratedpedestal design. All major functions for the modern helmsman are integratedin one centralsteering and control centre: The integrated engine control offerseasy installation and quick access. The integrated compass offers easy and clearreadings without the need of a separate binnacle. The 25 mm diameter stainless steel 316 guardrailisfirmly attached to the pedestal head offering the best protection for the compass and pedestal combined with a strong support whenmoving around in the cockpit. The glass fibre pedestal head accepts2instruments and multiple control buttons.The integratedpowerful andprogressive friction brake can be operated without putting one's hand through the wheel. The 200 series pedestal concept has big advantages over existing similarconcepts: The robust powder coated aluminium base has no mounting holes for pedestal bolts as these are integrated in the pedestal deck flange. Thisavoids multiple weak points for damage with the accompanying corrosionand possible leaking. The input socket has a large water draining groove behind the cover plate toprevent any water entering the pedestal. The pedestal head largely overhangs the aluminium base to prevent anysplash water entering the pedestal from underneath the head. The engine control mechanismis notattached to the pedestal head but tothe pedestal base. This offers the unique advantage of mounting the complete mechanism to the pedestal and the attachment of the controlcables independently from the pedestal head. The pedestal head can beworked on separately in the workshop to be adapted to the customerrequirements withinstruments, buttons and joysticks. Thisconcept alsoeases the retrofit of a mechanism, or a swap from starboard to port. The robust guardrail has a four point connection to the pedestal head,spreading the loads smoothly over the pedestal head. The guardrail is attached to the back of the pedestal leaving the top surfaces completely usable for smallinstruments, buttons or joysticks. The underside of the pedestal deck flange has two large milled grooves withtwinfoam gaskets for easy mounting without anyadditional sealant. The steering shaft is sealed by the Jefa developed PUR seal. Normalindustryseals use steel reinforcement rings in the rubber housing. As the standard industry rubberwill start to crackdue to the UV in the sunlight, the steel rings will corrode anddestroy the seal letting water in the steeringshaft bearings with disastrous effects. The RP200 is the rack and pinion steering versionof the 200 series pedestal. The steering pedestal is usable for boatupto50'in length (above 45' a big wheel has to be used). The 25mm nickel aluminium bronze steeringshaft is equipped with the standard international1"taper to fit all Jefa wheels up to 1500 mm diameter. Thesteering shaft has 2ball bearings spaced maximum apart intheinput pinionof the pedestal driving the gearwheelwith a reduction of 5:1.On top of the exterior concept advantagesdescribed above, the RP200also has major construction advantagesover existing similar pedestal concepts: The input pinion has no exterior mounting bolts for a stylishlook and less chance of damage and corrosion.The input assembly can be easy removed from the inside of the pedestal. The nickel aluminium bronze gearwheel is 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 vertical driving shaftis made of high strengthaluminium (proof stress of 280 N/mm²compared to 200N/mm² for stainless steel) with a large outsidediameter of 70mm and a wall thickness of 5 mm making itindestructible and enormously stiff, so the gears will never run out of mesh. The vertical driving shaft bottom bearing is a 70 mm Jefa rudderbearingguarantying a strong and non-corrosive solution. Please visit our extended website and online cataloguewww.jefa.com for more information.