The quadrant in my 2002 Beneteau 331 appears to have moved 20 degrees on the rudder shaft. Beneteau can not provide any design or service information for the LS quadrant which appears to be installed without a pin or through bolt for location. I am loking for any information or experience anyone has had with a quadrant of this type. Thanks, Bill
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Pin? what pin?
I had a similar problem on my 2006 373. Apparently there is supposed to be a pin from the front of the quadrant sleeve in to the rudder post. The two bolts (from the rear) clamp were loose on mine and I had to raise the quadrant up about an inch so that the stops would engage and tighten the bolts. Obviously the pin was missing, or a very loose fit. I have to investigate further now that the boat is out of the water for the winter. It seems to me that Beneteau needs to pay closer attention to its quality control and commissioning procedures. Tony.
I had a similar problem on my 2006 373. Apparently there is supposed to be a pin from the front of the quadrant sleeve in to the rudder post. The two bolts (from the rear) clamp were loose on mine and I had to raise the quadrant up about an inch so that the stops would engage and tighten the bolts. Obviously the pin was missing, or a very loose fit. I have to investigate further now that the boat is out of the water for the winter. It seems to me that Beneteau needs to pay closer attention to its quality control and commissioning procedures. Tony.
What have you checked?
When/how did you notice it? What have you checked so far? Did you have any other symptoms prior to noticing the problem? I know there's a shaft key held in place with set screws between the wheel shaft and the chain pulley located under the instrument binnacle. The set screws on my 361 end to come loose from time to time, in spite of locktite and elbow grease. Not sure what they use to hold the quadrant into place but if it's also keyed with set screws that could be your problem. You would think the whole assembly would just slip on you but sometimes there's enough friction to prevent that from happening. It could have moved the 20 degrees and then found something that locked it back up. I had all of that open to run new chart plotter wiring but didn't look at the quadrant that closely. Mike
When/how did you notice it? What have you checked so far? Did you have any other symptoms prior to noticing the problem? I know there's a shaft key held in place with set screws between the wheel shaft and the chain pulley located under the instrument binnacle. The set screws on my 361 end to come loose from time to time, in spite of locktite and elbow grease. Not sure what they use to hold the quadrant into place but if it's also keyed with set screws that could be your problem. You would think the whole assembly would just slip on you but sometimes there's enough friction to prevent that from happening. It could have moved the 20 degrees and then found something that locked it back up. I had all of that open to run new chart plotter wiring but didn't look at the quadrant that closely. Mike
No pin
Beneteau confirmed that they have used quadrants without pins that just clamp on the rudder shaft.
Beneteau confirmed that they have used quadrants without pins that just clamp on the rudder shaft.
B331 Quadrant Movement
Same thing happened on my 2001 B331. Three of the 4 bolts on the rudder post pressure fitting were hand loose! I tightened them up, recentered the wheel and adjusted the stops about 5 months ago and it seems to be holding so far .
Same thing happened on my 2001 B331. Three of the 4 bolts on the rudder post pressure fitting were hand loose! I tightened them up, recentered the wheel and adjusted the stops about 5 months ago and it seems to be holding so far .
Gerald
I have not checked the bolt torque. Did the quadrant look loose or move on the rudder shaft? Were there any signs on the shaft that it had moved?
I have not checked the bolt torque. Did the quadrant look loose or move on the rudder shaft? Were there any signs on the shaft that it had moved?
B331 Quadrant
There is no question that the pressure fitting was loose enough that the rudder post was allowed to slip under heavy load. Even though 3 bolts were loose, the quadrant itself will not wobble or move due to the tension load exerted on it by the steering cable. The steering cable also had excess tension on it which I corrected at the point that I was satisfied that I had corrected the rudder problem. Now that I have the steering cables tensioned correctly the boat steers much better as well. Good luck. The B331 is a great boat, stable and sails well except in light air. I don't feel that the new line of beneteau's look as nice although the new Finot design 34 & 37 apperar to offer an improvement in performance in their cruising line. I have sailed along several B423's and they seem to sail particularly well even with a RF Main. Good luck.
There is no question that the pressure fitting was loose enough that the rudder post was allowed to slip under heavy load. Even though 3 bolts were loose, the quadrant itself will not wobble or move due to the tension load exerted on it by the steering cable. The steering cable also had excess tension on it which I corrected at the point that I was satisfied that I had corrected the rudder problem. Now that I have the steering cables tensioned correctly the boat steers much better as well. Good luck. The B331 is a great boat, stable and sails well except in light air. I don't feel that the new line of beneteau's look as nice although the new Finot design 34 & 37 apperar to offer an improvement in performance in their cruising line. I have sailed along several B423's and they seem to sail particularly well even with a RF Main. Good luck.
Gerald
Thanks for the additional information. Your boat's condition sounds very similar to mine. I expect I will find the bolts are loose when I check them. We aquired this boat last spring and have found it to be a good choice for Lake Michigan. Actually we just moved to this area and Lake Michigan has turned out to have the most favorable summer sailing conditions I have experienced including two years in Seattle. This site has provided me more helpful information than any other source to date. I appreciate your particiation.
Thanks for the additional information. Your boat's condition sounds very similar to mine. I expect I will find the bolts are loose when I check them. We aquired this boat last spring and have found it to be a good choice for Lake Michigan. Actually we just moved to this area and Lake Michigan has turned out to have the most favorable summer sailing conditions I have experienced including two years in Seattle. This site has provided me more helpful information than any other source to date. I appreciate your particiation.
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