Yesterday, my last sail of the season, I lost my steerage on my 1984 Hunter 34. I assume it's a broken chain that's housed in the pedestal. I would like some advice on how I go about repairing it myself, or if I should just pay someone to do it, knowing that it's going to be expensive. I do know how to get to the pedestal from the aft quarter berth on the port side. In advance, thanks for your input.
- Status
Rudder access
The access to the stearing gear is by unscrewing the cover from the underside of the cockpit floor in the aft cabin. This gives access to the quadrant, cables and turning blocks. Remove the compass and the spacer to get access from above. It has been known for the rudder to break away from the shaft. Does the wheel come to the end stops or does it spin and just no rudder movement?
The access to the stearing gear is by unscrewing the cover from the underside of the cockpit floor in the aft cabin. This gives access to the quadrant, cables and turning blocks. Remove the compass and the spacer to get access from above. It has been known for the rudder to break away from the shaft. Does the wheel come to the end stops or does it spin and just no rudder movement?
Spins freely
No, it just spins freely. I haven't looked underneath yet from the aft quarter berth plastic panel, but maybe the cable broke, or something else gave in. It's hard to believe that that big chain broke.
No, it just spins freely. I haven't looked underneath yet from the aft quarter berth plastic panel, but maybe the cable broke, or something else gave in. It's hard to believe that that big chain broke.
Tiller
Yes, I had the emergency tiller, so getting back was not a problem, plus this was my last sail of the season, so there is no urgency in getting it fixed.
Yes, I had the emergency tiller, so getting back was not a problem, plus this was my last sail of the season, so there is no urgency in getting it fixed.
Inspect your steering regularly ...
I performed an overhaul on my steering ('87 Legend 35) this past spring, I cannot recommend more strongly that people do a cursory inspection of their steering. While we wait to hear what part failed in your situation, I'll say that both my steering cables/wires have chafed significantly. One of mine had about 1/3 of the strands broken. Edson has pretty good instruction for maintenance. Chris
I performed an overhaul on my steering ('87 Legend 35) this past spring, I cannot recommend more strongly that people do a cursory inspection of their steering. While we wait to hear what part failed in your situation, I'll say that both my steering cables/wires have chafed significantly. One of mine had about 1/3 of the strands broken. Edson has pretty good instruction for maintenance. Chris
I had new rudder post bearings installed
this year. I had some play in my steering so I checked the cables which were loose. The cables are in very good condition but I could see them falling off the quadrant or turning blocks if too loose..so you my have just had the cable itself fall off. Was there any play in the steering prior to you loosing it.. This is an easy fix, after tightening my cables the steering is much better with no almost no play.
this year. I had some play in my steering so I checked the cables which were loose. The cables are in very good condition but I could see them falling off the quadrant or turning blocks if too loose..so you my have just had the cable itself fall off. Was there any play in the steering prior to you loosing it.. This is an easy fix, after tightening my cables the steering is much better with no almost no play.
- Status