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Lewmar Self-Align, Quick-Mount and ANSI 50 bulkhead steerers with 10 to 15-tooth sprockets, with or without brake, plus the Mamba BH10 bevelhead. Click here to read more.

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Lewmar Steerers: Self-Align, Quick-Mount and Bulkhead Units, and How to Match Your Sprocket

A Lewmar steerer is the helm shaft unit that sits on a bulkhead or console: it holds the steering shaft on sealed ball bearings, carries the sprocket the steering system runs from and, on most models, adds a through-shaft friction brake. This collection holds ten items, each defined by three choices: how it mounts (Self-Align, Quick-Mount or ANSI bulkhead), the sprocket (pitch and tooth count) and whether it has a brake. It also includes one bevelhead for the Lewmar Mamba steering system.

Steerer Families in This Collection
  • Self-Align steerers: a self-aligning ball takes up misalignment or draft angle when the unit is fitted inside a console. The range here is the 5/8 in pitch, 11-tooth unit with a brake (#89101097 and #89100102) or without one (#89101098), the 5/8 in pitch, 13-tooth unit (#89100106) and the 3/4 in pitch, 11-tooth unit with a brake (#89100101). The listings describe twin double-sealed, pre-lubricated ball races, forward and aft flange housings in polymer composite or stainless steel, a stainless backing plate and a compact installation that needs a minimum of 100 mm (4 in) between the bulkhead faces.
  • Quick-Mount bulkhead steerers: 5/8 in pitch with 11 teeth (#89100004), 13 teeth (#89100006) or 15 teeth (#89100008). Each is stainless steel with a high-gloss powder-coat finish, a through-shaft brake and an autopilot stub shaft take-off, on a pre-lubricated sealed ball race bearing.
  • ANSI bulkhead steerer: the ANSI 50, 10-tooth unit with brake (#89101173) is an investment-cast stainless steel body on a pre-lubricated sealed ball race.
  • Mamba bevelhead: the BH10 Mamba bevelhead (#89200001) is a steering bevelhead made for Lewmar Mamba steering systems, not a general-purpose steerer.
How to Choose a Steerer
  • Start from what you have: the pitch and tooth count have to match the existing sprocket in your steering system. This collection offers 5/8 in pitch with 11, 13 or 15 teeth, 3/4 in pitch with 11 teeth and ANSI 50 with 10 teeth. Read the number off the old unit before you order.
  • Self-Align or Quick-Mount: choose Self-Align when the shaft has to run through a console or a bulkhead that is not perfectly square, because the ball takes up the misalignment. Choose Quick-Mount when you want the autopilot stub shaft take-off built into a stainless unit.
  • Brake or no brake: the brake is a through-shaft friction brake. Only the Self-Align 5/8 in, 11-tooth unit is offered in both versions here, and the 13-tooth Self-Align is listed without one.
  • Spinner not included: the Quick-Mount units and the ANSI 50 unit state that the brake spinner is not included. Lewmar brake spinners are listed by wheel type, so check the brake spinners against your wheel.
What Else the Steering Chain Needs

A steerer is one link in the chain between the wheel and the rudder. The rest of the Lewmar steering parts are in their own collections: wheels, steering sheaves, gearboxes and universal joints. Our steering systems guide shows how the pieces fit together.

Who It's For

Owners replacing a worn or damaged helm steerer, refit projects that have to match an existing sprocket pitch and tooth count, and anyone who wants a stainless bulkhead unit with an autopilot stub shaft take-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 5/8 P - 11 T mean on a Lewmar steerer?
It is the sprocket: a 5/8 in pitch with 11 teeth. The collection also has 13 and 15 teeth at 5/8 in pitch, 3/4 in pitch with 11 teeth, and ANSI 50 with 10 teeth. The new steerer has to match the pitch and tooth count of the system it joins.

What is the difference between Self-Align and Quick-Mount?
Self-Align units use a self-aligning ball to take up misalignment or draft angle inside a console, and need 100 mm (4 in) between bulkhead faces. Quick-Mount units are stainless steel with a powder-coat finish, a through-shaft brake and an autopilot stub shaft take-off.

Does the steerer include the brake?
The units titled "with Brake" have a through-shaft friction brake, and the Quick-Mount units come complete with one. The Quick-Mount and ANSI 50 listings say the brake spinner is not included, so add the spinner that fits your wheel.

Can I connect an autopilot to a Lewmar steerer?
The Quick-Mount units (#89100004, #89100006 and #89100008) include an autopilot stub shaft take-off. The other listings do not mention one. Check the autopilot drive maker's requirements before you choose.

Is the Mamba BH10 a steerer for any boat?
No. The BH10 is a bevelhead for the Lewmar Mamba steering system, so it only makes sense if you already have Mamba steering.