Navico WP300CX problem?

[Rafi]

I have had the Navico WP300CX for about 6 months now, and had about 200 hours of use. I am very happy with it. recently I have noticed that sometimes the wheel movements are not as smooth as they used to be, and there is some friction and squiky noise with wheel movement, but it works fine. Before I take it apart and back to the dealer I wanted to find out if anybody out there had a similar experience?

 

[Steve Dion]

Check your steering cables.

Rafi:I also have a 300CX. We found that the steering cables were loose. We removed the cowling in the aft berth to revel the steering quadrant and then tightened up the cables. The unit works much smoother now. This was the first time that the cables had been adjusted in 14+ years.Sounds like you may have some dirt or corrosion in your unit too.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Interested party...

since I have installed but not yet wired mine. You don't mention if there is a noticeable difference when steering with the autohelm disengaged. You should be able to detect any play in the cables. I recently tightened mine. Be careful not to pull the rudder off center when tightening.Ed(schencked@bfusa.com)

 

[Rafi]

Friction/noise

Ed, the friction and noise (sometimes) are noticable when steering manually (with autohelm off and clutch disengaged). Steve's advice sound logical and I will check the cables tension next time I'm there, but I was also thinking about removing the wheel and then I can turn the autohelm without turning the rudder, this way maybe I can isolate the friction/noise source. Also, I remember from the Navico installation manual that they warn about making sure that the authelm is installed exactly at the center of the wheel shaft. Maybe it shifted a bit off center. In any cas, I have some testing to do before going back to the dealer. Thanks for the advice.