Catalina 30 Steering

[macleodnz]

I''m a new owner of a used 1989 C30 which had one owner before me. It was looked after really well and they reported that since new the steering has been really stiff. It is stiff compared to other boats that I have sailed. The charter operators that I have signed up with want to drop the rudder to see if the shaft is bent. Before we do this I would appreciate any input form other owners. The wheel lock is loose!
John

[harvh]

I would start with your cable system before looking at the rudder. If your cables are worn or have jumped their pully system, that could account for the tight feeling your getting.

[GordMay]

Not likely a bent rudder shaft.
Bend just below the hull would present noticable rudder wobble. Bend inside hull not likely. Bend within tube would leak.
Look for worn sheaves, or something rubbing on cable.

[pirateofcapeann]

Isolate all the possible sources of friction by pulling the steering cables off the yoke. You should then be able to locate where your troubles are. It''s possible that the wheel lock pad or the chain sprockets are jammed with old grease or the steering cables could be set up too tight.

There are a number of reasons for steering to be excessively tight, most of which don’t include a haul out and dropping the rudder. Of course the company wants to pursue the most expensive option first. It’s your money their after!

My guess is that a few well placed squirts of lubricant and a couple twists of the wrench are going to go a long way to cure your problem.

Pi

[Sailmc]

This is a common problem with this boat after 10 or more years. The grease in the rudder tube has dried and or disappeared. This happened to my neighbor last year. The fix is to pull, clean and regrease the rudder stock. My friend had some limited success with installing a grease zirc in the rudder tube.

[macleodnz]

Thanks to all.

My plan of attack is goin to be to pull the cables off the yoke to isolate the chain and sprockets and if it seems that the rudder needs to be cleaned and greased I''ll pull it. It will be a good excuse to spend the weekend at the boat yard and do a yard polish as well.

[sailstactics]

Check the clearance between the top of the rudder and the bottom of the haul. Catalina''s usually have about 1/4" clearance in the straight up and down position. If the rudder has ever hit bottom this clearance can cause the rudder to drag along the haul and be difficult to steer.