[C320-list] Steering Friction

[Doug Treff]

Dennis, 

I think may be a weather helm issue. When the wind is heavy, if you let go of the wheel, does the boat round up?

That's weather helm. It's not a friction issue. It's more of a balance issue. Try working on mainsail trim and shape to depower the main and reduce weather helm.

And yes, the Wheel Pilot is not powerful enough to handle this effort.

--
Doug Treff
doug at treff.us

On Mon, Oct 16, 2023, at 2:40 PM, Dennis Cookson via C320-list wrote:
> I replaced the helm wheel chain and cable on our 1999 boat a year or 
> two ago, and have tinkered with the cable tension since to optimise 
> control and sensitivity without over-tightening as per the Edson guide, 
> but I’m not completely satisfied with it. In light winds the helm wheel 
> rotates fairly smoothly, though with a slight load, but in stronger 
> winds when the boat is heeling I find that the wheel is much stiffer in 
> one direction than the other and requires more effort than the wheel 
> auto helm can reliably provide.  Is this normal? I guess that there is 
> friction in the rudder post and sleeve - should it be lubricated, and 
> if so, how?  Or could the bearings for the helm wheel shaft need 
> replacement?
>
> How does your boat handle with 15 knots of wind and above?  Any 
> comments/advice much appreciated.
>
> Dennis Cookson
> Catalina 0577