[C320-list] steering tight

[Jack McDonough]

Pat:

I have had a similar problem in the past and it was caused by the Autohelm. 
When I switched to Standby and turned the clutch handle, it wouldn't release 
the belt because the bolt beside the clutch kept loosening up. I could solve 
the problem temporarily by tightening the bolt -- but it took a trip to 
Raymarine and $$$ to achieve a permanent solution.

Jack
Sure Bet  #947





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pat Ireland" <cherie320 at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] steering tight


Jeff

Thanks for the suggestion.  It was an initial concern, because I had it
cranked down tight earlier on the day we noticed the problem.  But we pulled
the compass last night and verified that the sprocket, chain, and brake were
all clear.  We also checked the movement of the wheel shaft to verify that
it was not the problem.

Pat

On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 10:41 AM, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

> While this might not be the problem, check to see that your wheel brake
> isn't stuck.  I find that sometimes the brake handscrew is "unscrewing" 
> from
> the shaft rather than loosening the brake.
>
> When you loosen the brake watch carefully to see if the shaft itself is
> turning.
>
> -Jeff
>  -----Original Message-----
> From: Pat Ireland <cherie320 at gmail.com>
> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 09:54:21
> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] steering tight
>
> Sean
>
> Thanks for the information on the possible bent rudder stock.  Afraid I'm
> in
> denial on that possibility for awhile.
>
> The steering is tight  through the complete range of motion.  Have not
> disconnected the cable, but the rudder does not move freely in the cable
> slack as it should if the resistance is in the steering linkage.
>
> It would seem that a llubrication requirement would  built up over time 
> and
> we noticed the tightness when we were preparing to dock.
>
> Pat
>
> On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 11:39 PM, Sean Kaldor <spkaldor at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi Pat,
> >
> > Is Cherie's steering tight throughout the entire range of rudder swing?
> If
> > so, also consider the lubrication of the rudder post in its tube.  One
> > idea would be to disconnect the cable from the helm to isolate the
> rudder...
> > that will help determine if the tightness is in the rudder, or in the
> helm
> > controls.
> >
> > If her steering is tight only after a certain degree of turn, it could 
> > be
> > (but is hopefully not) the rudder post. I was looking at a boat 
> > recently.
> > Seller said the steering was fine, but recently became a bit 'tight'. It
> > turned fine from about 20 degrees starboard to 20 degrees port, then
> became
> > very tight after that. Topside inspection and diver inspection revealed
> > nothing. Had to have it hauled to find out that the rudder post was bent
> > very slightly. Hope that isn't the problem...
> >
> > Sean
> > C320 Liberté #499
> > San Francisco
> >
> > - - - - - - -
> >
> > All-
> > The steering on Cherie is very tight.  We are convinced that it was not
> > this
> > tight before and that something has changed.  We inspected the quadrant
> and
> > found no foreign material jamming it.  The turning pulleys are free, the
> > chain and sprocket are free, the autopilot is not dragging, and the 
> > brake
> > is
> > free.  We had a diver check it out several weeks ago and will have him
> > check
> > it again and check specifically for fishing line or other debris.
> >
> > Has anyone had a problem with the rudder shaft binding or with any other
> > steering failure that appeared to be a rudder dragging?
> >
> > Any experience or ideas would be appreciated.
> >
> > Pat Ireland Cherie #801
> >
>