I had my hull cleaned the other day, in the water. Just thought it was a good idea. A diver went down with brushes, etc and just did what they do. No big deal. BUT, while he was doing the rudder he moved it(to the left or right) I don't know which, to clean the top of it better and then back to the center. The wheel brake was screwed in tight. NOW, my wheel doesn't line up straight anymore. It was always in the same center position for 4 years, I had a spoke that marked my center. Now, my center marker (that same spoke) on the wheel, is exactly 1 spoke to the right. I didn't see if the wheel turned when he moved the rudder, but I assume it didn't, and the rudder must have turned alone, changing the center position. What, if any, problems, do you think this may have caused? And should I be overly concerned at this point. Tha boat sails fine, there is no vibrations etc. in the wheel and the boat handles just the same. Thanks for the input.
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check your quadrant
The quadrant is a metal casting that goes around the rudder post. It's what the cables attach to to turn the rudder. Sounds like what happened is that the wheel didn't turn so it didn't allow the quadrant to turn but the rudder slipped inside the quadrant. If that's the case, if it slipped that easily, I would be conserned about it. The quadrant may one day just screw off if the rudder post slips more. I would think that when sailing you would produce more strain on the rudder then the diver but don't know that for sure.
The quadrant is a metal casting that goes around the rudder post. It's what the cables attach to to turn the rudder. Sounds like what happened is that the wheel didn't turn so it didn't allow the quadrant to turn but the rudder slipped inside the quadrant. If that's the case, if it slipped that easily, I would be conserned about it. The quadrant may one day just screw off if the rudder post slips more. I would think that when sailing you would produce more strain on the rudder then the diver but don't know that for sure.
Nichole, Bill is being silly, you better check
everything in your steering system. If the quadrant slipped, that's major! I've never seen a quadrant that was installed so as to be able to slip. Standard installation includes a thru-bolt. If you don't have a thru-bolt, GET ONE! If you do, keep looking. My gawd man (or woman) this is your steering we're talking about. Find out what happened and do it before the next sail. P.S. With any luck it'll be a loose cable. That would let the chain jump a tooth (in the pedestal)
everything in your steering system. If the quadrant slipped, that's major! I've never seen a quadrant that was installed so as to be able to slip. Standard installation includes a thru-bolt. If you don't have a thru-bolt, GET ONE! If you do, keep looking. My gawd man (or woman) this is your steering we're talking about. Find out what happened and do it before the next sail. P.S. With any luck it'll be a loose cable. That would let the chain jump a tooth (in the pedestal)
You Are Lucky
The diver was in no position to exert any amount of force so, if a coupling or something slipped, or the chain jumped on the sprocket (if it is a chain system) then it was probably loose already. You were lucky the diver found it for you because it could be a disaster waiting to happen. Under rough conditions the forces a rudder can generate in a steering system are prodigious. May I suggest you track this down and not go sailing again until it is rectified.
The diver was in no position to exert any amount of force so, if a coupling or something slipped, or the chain jumped on the sprocket (if it is a chain system) then it was probably loose already. You were lucky the diver found it for you because it could be a disaster waiting to happen. Under rough conditions the forces a rudder can generate in a steering system are prodigious. May I suggest you track this down and not go sailing again until it is rectified.
Rack and pinion steering
What year is your 340? I think they changed to a rack and pinion type steering. Pull the cover in th cockpit floor and see whatzup.
What year is your 340? I think they changed to a rack and pinion type steering. Pull the cover in th cockpit floor and see whatzup.
Nichole do you have any answers
Nicole, did you ever find out what happened on the rudder alignment issue for your 340?
Nicole, did you ever find out what happened on the rudder alignment issue for your 340?
Checked everything possible
I've checked everything possible. The quadrant has a thru bolt and is solid as a rock. The connecting rod from the bottom of the pedestal to the quadrant is screwed in tightly and has thru bolts on each end to prevent it from moving. No leaks or water is penetrating up through the area of the rudder post. My next feeling is that maybe it didn't happen when the diver moved the rudder. Could it be, that the wheel itself may have slipped. It's rack and pinion, the gear under the compass doesn't look stripped or damaged. It handles fine. I'm at a loss for the whole thing. Thanks for the concern and if any further ideas come be sure to let me know.
I've checked everything possible. The quadrant has a thru bolt and is solid as a rock. The connecting rod from the bottom of the pedestal to the quadrant is screwed in tightly and has thru bolts on each end to prevent it from moving. No leaks or water is penetrating up through the area of the rudder post. My next feeling is that maybe it didn't happen when the diver moved the rudder. Could it be, that the wheel itself may have slipped. It's rack and pinion, the gear under the compass doesn't look stripped or damaged. It handles fine. I'm at a loss for the whole thing. Thanks for the concern and if any further ideas come be sure to let me know.
Missing key!
The wheel should have a key to lock it to the shaft rotation. It is removable and can get lost when the wheel is removed. Unscrew the nut in the center of the wheel, pull the wheel off and see if there is a a key( a rectangular chunk of metal) or just an empty slot in the wheel center. Gary
The wheel should have a key to lock it to the shaft rotation. It is removable and can get lost when the wheel is removed. Unscrew the nut in the center of the wheel, pull the wheel off and see if there is a a key( a rectangular chunk of metal) or just an empty slot in the wheel center. Gary
Bad for me but......
I checked that. Sorry I forgot to mention it. Back to square one for me I guess.
I checked that. Sorry I forgot to mention it. Back to square one for me I guess.
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