Pedals
The pedals now have the finishing touches applied.





I polished them on an old electric washing machine motor with a buffing wheel attached.




The H bracket that straddles the springboard is 1/4" aluminum plate. It is very snug on the springboard keeping it from sliding around. The black stuff around the welds is polishing compound. I need to clean them up.



The axle is zinc plated 1/2" steel rod. I threaded both ends with a half inch die and put stainless lock nuts on.



I used standard bronze bushings that you can get at the hardware store and inserted them into both the pedals and the H bracket. There's also a short piece of bronze bushing used to space the pedals away from the H bracket and center the pedal levers in the pedal slots.

I used JB Weld to epoxy the bushings in permanently. They should make this assembly last a very long time. I think without the bushings the aluminum would wear out too quickly. The bushings also have high tolerances which cut down on extra play in the pedals.



Stainless lock nut. You can see the JB Weld that pushed out from behind the bushing.



I wasn't sure if a single knob would be adequate but it holds the pedal assembly firmly. It's a 5/16" thread. It is also very easy to unscrew and slide the pedal assembly forward and back.



My pedals are adjustable 6" forward and aft. I used brass wood inserts and screwed them into the springboard. They are spaced one inch apart to receive the knob bolt.





6 corresponding holes 1" apart were drilled in the push/pull tubes. I got the little spring button from a broken windsurfing boom my dad had. And we give him so much grief about not throwing anything away:)



I left the pedal levers a little long because I wanted to make sure they extended far enough under the boat. After some test sailing I'll probably sand these down a little. I like the fact that they protect my rod ends from damage. Maybe I'll leave them alone?