Rudder 'Trouble'

[cabayer]

Hello Hunter Owners and Enthusiasts:
Yesterday my crew and I took a third in the first leg of the Sayers Series at the City Island YC in Eastchester Bay...we had a blast...it was just the two of us!
We had to withdraw from the afternoon leg as I discovered that my rudder was only able to turn 30 degrees to port; I was able to fully turn it over to starboard. Perhaps I have a cable or pulley issue?
Has anyone else experienced this? Please advise. Must get the problem resolved asap, and be up and sailing by Friday!
Thank you!
Best
Christopher Bayer

 

[Alex Dare]

steering

Chris,
Your 426 has a rack and pinion drive steering system so no pulley's or cables that could be causing the problem. I'd be tempted to pull your compass and see if something has fallen into the gears of the steering rack preventing it from turning all the way. Do you have an autopilot on the boat? If so the linear ram hooks to the arm on the rudder post. If it's come loose it could have jammed. If you pull the panel under your feet when you're at the helm, most of the system should be visible. Any major issue there should be fairly obvious.