I decided to overhaul my steering system for the following reasons.  (listed in order of importance)

1.  I have no idea how old the steering cables are, but I DO know that they are AT LEAST 8 years old.

2.  The engine control cables fall into the same catagory as the steering cables.

3.  The Edson pedestal itself is VERY worn and in some areas the white paint is completely worn away leaving bare aluminum showing.

4.  Having everything torn apart would allow me to take accurate measurements to fabricate a teak drink holder to mount on the pedestal.

I searched the Edson web site and they recommended using the Interlux Interthane Plus (a linear 2 part polyeurathane system). This was financially attractive since I had some white Interthane Plus as well as the appropriate thinner left over from a project on my last boat. I consulted the Interlux guide for the list of solvents, primers etc. to complete the job. Time for another trip to West Marine. I think I should have bought stock. :-) I removed the wheel and autohelm, the steering compass, the pedestal guard and cockpit table, the wheel brake handle and the engine control head. At this point I replaced the steering cables as well as the engine control cables. These are straight forward jobs, but getting my 6 ft large frame into the lazerette was a tight squeeze to say the least.

With this work done, I noticed that the white delrin bushings for the throttle and shift levers as well as the one for the wheel brake were in bad shape.  After a call to Edson, 3 bushings as well as new decals for the throttle and shift levers were on order.

Materials required:

14 ft. 3/16" 7 x 19 stainless cable ($16.66 at West Marine)

Throttle cable ($34.99 from SailNet)

Shift cable ($34.99 from SailNet)

Bushings for throttle, shift and brake ($18.00 from Edson)

Decal set for engine controls ($9.00 from Edson)

Interthane Plus paint, thinners etc. (on hand)

Interlux Vinyl Lux Prime Wash (on hand)

Total cost of this project: $113.64

I followed the instructions provided by Interlux and wiped everything down with solvent, then sanded all the parts with medium grit emery cloth. This was followed by several more wipe downs with solvent. Next I mixed up and applied a thin coat of Vinyl Lux Prime Wash thinned with the appropriate thinner. This was left to dry for about 3 hours (Interlux recommends at least 1 hour but less than 12 hours.)