Organizing inside the flybridge, copper hydraulic tubing in the way

[Vincentc]

While rerunning some of the wiring in the area inside and forward of the flybridge helm, I appreciated the mess of wiring I had and the wasted space there. I have organized much of the wiring but still have the copper tubing which runs up the chase between the lower helm and the flybridge (43 DCFB 1983) and then connects to rubber hose which in turn connects to the helm hydraulic pump.

It looks like simply pushing the copper tubing over to the stb side would clear things up a lot, but the last thing I want to do is put a crack in my 27 year old copper hydraulic steering tubing. Has anyone dealt with this or otherwise could share insight whether it is safe to move the copper tubing about 1 ft over and out of the way?

Thanks

 

[MikeP]

The copper has work-hardened and although this is not an issue at all in normal use, it does not like to be "bent" any more. THere is some flexibility for a general realignment if there is a long piece that only needs a bit adjustment so that a fairly long section takes up the shift. Trying to move it where an new curve has to occur in a short span will almost certainly fracture it. If you do break it, it can be very difficult to flare old copper so you might be forced to re-run that entire section from wherever the previous fitting is.

I recommend you leave it alone or, at least be prepared to replace it should the moving attempt go south.

 

[jim rosenthal]

We replaced this stuff with nylon high-pressure tubing for the entire steering system when my boat was repowered. That is a huge amount of work and I am not suggesting it; however, would it be possible for you to take out a section of the copper tubing and install Parker or Aeroquip high-pressure hydraulic hose? My Hatteras has sections of that in the areas where it connects to the helm pumps etc, which take some of the vibration stress off the tubing itself.

I agree with Mike; the stuff may be fine while it's left alone, but moving it often causes trouble as it does work-harden and becomes brittle. The copper I had taken out of my boat was in rough shape. (I had some ideas about putting in an autopilot later on, and was concerned that the high peak pressures generated by an autopilot hydraulic pump would blow a hole in the tubing.)

 

[jim rosenthal]

I should have read the original post more thoroughly. Could you lengthen the rubber hose sections by replacing them with longer ones, would that allow you to clean things up a bit?

 

[Vincentc]

Thanks for the comments.
Moving the tubing would involve creating only a large diameter curve. For right now I am going to let this sleeping dog lay there, but would like to post a photo, once I take one to better explain the layout. Every time i crawl into the space to work on the wiring I climb over the copper tubing and may put it at greater risk than the small movement involved.
Regards,

 

[jim rosenthal]

Oh, I've been there, I know exactly what you are talking about. Same on mine.