[C320-list] steering tight

[Chris Burti]

Ok...I  have to say that I find it hard to believe you could hit anything at
2-3 knots that would bend the rudder without stopping the boat dead, it is a
pretty substantial hunk of stainless steel tubing...but stuff happens.

I would take the cable off the quadrant first just to make absolutely
certain it is not the steering gear binding somewhere you cant see. The
rudder post is metal against plastic (FRP) rudder tube and is essentially
self lubricating..absent getting dirt in there, it is a not maintenance item
and you really can't flush it effectively without dropping it.

If it is bent, then it is more likely that you hit a glancing blow that
deflected the rudder laterally. If that is the case, there is no way for a
diver to spot it, you will need a quick haul...That is the way mine was bent
and the rudder blade never made contact with the hull the tubing of the post
barely bent right where it went into the rudder tube and kinked just enough
to bind in the rudder tube... if you haven't been hauled lately a pressure
wash may be in order to help ease the sting of the cost.

Note that the rudders on the later  models (after they shortened the wing
keel) are a couple of inched longer than the keel, so it is technically
possible to hit something with the rudder that the keel misses.

On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 3:43 PM, Pat Ireland <cherie320 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Chris
>
> We heard a thump, while motoring at 2-3 knots.    The prop and rudder were
> inspected the following week when our diver cleaned the bottom.  He found
> no
> damage, but since then the helm has been tight.
>
> Pat
>
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 10:42 AM, Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > It takes a lot of force to bend the rather substantial rudder post on
> > C-320...have had a hard grounding recently or have you been towed
> backwards
> > (that is what caused my problem)?
> >
> > On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 1:12 PM, Pat Ireland <cherie320 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Chris
> > >
> > > Well, that may be the problem, the symptoms sound similar.
> > >
> > > Pat
> > > On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 5:06 AM, Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > We also had a bent rudder post...4" out of true at the bottom...tight
> > > > throughout the range and no way to tell without a haulout
> > > >
> > > > On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 2:39 AM, 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
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Chris Burti Farmville, NC
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Chris Burti Farmville, NC
> >
>



-- 
Chris Burti Farmville, NC