Stiff steering

[LuckyMon]

After 5 years of easy steering, turning the wheel now is a physical workout. We have lubricated the chain, the rudder post, dove under the boat to check for a rope or wire jammed in the rudder/hull, cant find anything binding. it feels like the wheel brake is on, but it is not. This a 2006 Bavaria 37 Cruiser.
any suggestions? Thanks

[Faster]

The shaft on the wheel usually rests in a bushing front and back.. we've had that bushing seize up before. Should be a split shell bushing, disassemble, clean up and lube that and it will probably be OK for another few years.

It could also be in the rudder stock area itself, of course.. but you'll need to disconnect the quadrant and see if the stiffness disappears.. that will identify the location of the binding. Rudder stock bushings can get dirty and bind too.

[LuckyMon]

Good advise, and like your tag line says, common sense. We will give it a try, hope it is in the wheel and not the rudder. many thanks.