Check that Steering Linkage

[Gary]

Had quite the weekend, wife and I took boat out in 20+ knot winds blowing directly onto our beam when backing out of our slip. Backed out and turned into the lane when the steering cable decided to pop off and we had no steerage. My wife has always been told to give it power when you have no steerage and get water moving over your rudder. Big mistake when you have no rudder control at all. Luckily minor damage to our boat and only got the horseshoe bouy on another. I got the helm then and with only forward/reverse engine for control in this wind managed to get it close to a dock where a couple fellas grabbed us and I fixed the problem in 5 minutes. BUT I WARN YOU, the cable does get slack with time and if you have not checked yours DO SO!! ... We could have had a much bigger problem...

 

[Jane]

How do I check linkage??

Please forgive my ignorance, but exactly how do I check the steering linkage? I have a 1996 29.5. Is this where I have to remove the cockpit deck just under the wheel? thanks very much,jane

 

[Gary]

Yes Jane

You can see the linkage by just removing the drink holder and basket under it on your console. You should be able to grab the cables and tug to see if they are snug. Sooner or later you will want to adjust. To adjust the linkage you need to remove the floor section under the skippers feet. I have not looked in my book for any spec yet as I did not have my manual when I had my problem, snug is likely about right as too tight will no doubt cause a premature rudder bearing failure. Mine must have had a lot of slack or stretch. There are two (2) bolts on top of the big pulley that adjust tension. Even if you don't need to adjust you may want to clean under here, lots of dirt build up, but not too often. You need to re-silicone the screw holes to avoid leaks and be very careful not to strip the threads.

 

[Alex]

A word of warning..

Be aware that the 2 steering cable metal turning blocks , located just under cockpit table unit to lead the cables from verical(from the wheel) to horisontal ( back to quadrant) are - on 29,5- screwed directlly into the GRP floor, against basic instalation rules for this unit.You sometimes need to check and line-up these blocks ,(very important safty issue of steering system ) by loosing the screws , redirecting the blocks , and tightening them back.As they are under substantial load ,and the screws fitted right into GRP without the recomended metal plates,in time they might unscrew or develope some play,especially when you might tighten the cable , and apply further load on them. In this configuration , I think it is just a matter of time (some strong wind beating or/and some more tightening of cable..)these screw might get loose or plain pulled out of the floor , probably in strong wind condition.. I would recomend owners to check their instalation ( hopefully , Hunter improved instalation on later boat..) and to beef up the system if it is the same. Alex.