Possible Rudder problems

[jimrjackson]

I am experiencing a shimmy when under sail or power, usually when the boat is doing 4.5 knots or more. Also, a while back when we were anchored, the rudder was left in a hard over position and now the tape on the wheel no longer aligns with the center position on the auto pilot.
I have heard that this model of boat has had rudder problems and I am wondering if what I am experiencing is a symptom of a bigger problem getting ready to happen.
On a passage down island we discovered that our engine was out of alignment and we are wondering if a worn cutlass bearing might be part of the shimmy problem Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[Bill Roosa]

Issues with rudders

The tape not lining up is certainly something you should look into. the cables that go around the quadrant might have slipped or the quadrant may have slipped on the shaft. The former being more serious but both are not good. Look at the cables to see if they are tight and properly routed then look at the ruder stock and quadrant connection for a loose set screw or evidence of the two slipping.

The shemmy may me just the porp causing turbulance while underway and at 4.5 kts it is detectable in the rudder. Could also be detectable because the cables are loose or qudrant is loose on the rudder stock.

 

[jimrjackson]

Thanks for the response. I have Whitlock steering which I was given to understand does not have cables. I will have to look into this further and find out if something has slipped or loose. Thanks again for your input. I also have an email into the Hunter company people to see if then can shed some light on the problem. I want to get this addressed before we head down island in June.
Jim

 

[chuckwayne]

a worn cutless, bent shaft, or prop issues would certainly cause the symptoms you're having under power, less likely under sail-and you're right, there are no cables in the whitlock, but if there is wear in the gears you could get movement. The tape being out of position would suggest maybe the quadrant (really a drag link on the whitlock) has shifted on the rudder shaft. If the internal frame in the rudder has broken loose I'd think you would feel a lot of slop in the steering.
Chuck

 

[jimrjackson]

Thanks Chuck,
I have had some friends suggest the cutlass bearing so when we pull the boat for bottom painting in May I will do a careful check of the drive system. There isn't any obvious slop in the steering so I think the frame is still solid. I am going to check the quadrant as I suspect this is where the problem is as regards the centering. Thanks for your advice.
Jim