I was lucky enough to hit a sand bar a few weeks ago and now have a rudder problem. The rudder moves fine while I am pierside. I checked the nylon bearings, and everything is in order. There is very little slop in the cables, but I will snug them up anyway.
When I get underway under power, the rudder no longer holds center (straight), which it used to do. It slowly carries over to port or starboard (not one or the other consistently.) It will move over about 15 degrees and then quickly move over hard the rest of the way. It takes some effort to move the rudder back. What strikes me odd is that it does it both to port and starboard. I am hesitant to go out sailing with it like this, so I have no idea if it does the same under sail.
Has anyone else ever experienced this?
When I get underway under power, the rudder no longer holds center (straight), which it used to do. It slowly carries over to port or starboard (not one or the other consistently.) It will move over about 15 degrees and then quickly move over hard the rest of the way. It takes some effort to move the rudder back. What strikes me odd is that it does it both to port and starboard. I am hesitant to go out sailing with it like this, so I have no idea if it does the same under sail.
Has anyone else ever experienced this?
