Rudder/Wheel issue

[Eric14428]

While leaving the dock this afternoon, cut the wheel hard to port, there was a "pop" and the wheel began spinning freely. I lost all rudder control. Many kind folks were available and came to our aid and had us safely back in our slip after a while.Back in the slip we realized that the wheel/rudder still worked but now the rudder would turn completely perpendicular to the stern AND you could continue to turn the wheel to no end (whereas prior to, the wheel would come to a stop about 1.5 turns past the centerline).I don't even know where to start to look for the issue. Any pointers would be appreciated OR is this a job for the yard to tackle.Thanks.

 

[Randy6414]

Cable, rudder stock, stop blick

On reading your post, my first thought was about what could've broken when you heard the pop.First, you could have snapped a cable, or a cable could've jumped a sheave. In either case, your wheel would spin without turning the rudder. The rudder would flop freely about.Second, you may have broken the rudder stock, the tube that the rudder itself is mounted on. The tube may be spinning inside the rudder itself. Turning the wheel may turn the rudder if there's no load on it, but if the rudder's loaded, it may flop about regardless of what the wheel is doing.Third, you may have broken a rudder stop. These are usually blocks of wood or rubber, designed to stop the rudder quadrant from turning beyond the normal range of motion. In this case, the rudder would still turn with the wheel, but wouldn't stop 1.5 turns past the centerline.Start by looking around at your steering system. Trace the cables, the quadrant, the rudder stock. Look for anything that's amiss, broken, or damaged. You may find some clues. Also, a friend or dock mate who's got some mechanical experience may be helpful in pointing out the source of your problem. Good luck and let us know how you make out.Randy