Rudder Post Movement - Steering maint.
I have a Catalina 30 - 1985. I am not sure if your problem is the same as the one I had, but this may help. I was sailing one day in high winds and suddenly lost steering control with the wheel (Edson steering Pedistal). I had to use the emergency rudder contol pipe in the rudder post to get home! As soon as I opened the rear lazarette and unscrewed the cover off the steering cables, the problem was obvious. The steering cables had enough slack in them that one cable had slipped out of the groove/track of the cast metal plate that attaches to the top of the rudder post. In order to tighten the steering cables, I had to crawl into the rear quarter berth, remove the 3 foot long molded fiberglass panel that covers the steering cables. Then use two small adjustable wrenches to tighten that cables. You will see each cable is attached to a hook-eye with two nuts. It will be clear when you see it. Now my steering is much tighter, much more positive control of the boat. I am sure I used to lose a lot of speed due to my rudder flopping around and causing me to have to constantly correct course. Good luck. See Also Edson web site below.
