I have a 1980 Catalina 30.While under power I have vibration in my wheel. I have checked the shaft and the cutlass bearing which seem fine. Anyone with a similar problem or solution your input will be greatly appreciated.
steering
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W
Warren
I hava an 89 Cat 30 and under power the wheel is very difficult to control. If I let go even for an instant all hell breaks loose. I have been told that the relationship of the prop and the rudder causes extreme turbulance around the rudder. That is one of the reasons for the sever prop walk that occurs on our boats. I am not sure if the reasons given are 100% true, but you are not alone.
K
Kent2040
wheel vibration
I think some of the problem comes from the rudder shaft being worn and this causes the rudder to vibrate. The are old posts with a fix for this problem see the archives. All rudders in the slipstream of the prop have a tendency to quickly turn when wheel is left loose. Putting a little friction on hte wheel brake can helpo alleviate the condition.
I think some of the problem comes from the rudder shaft being worn and this causes the rudder to vibrate. The are old posts with a fix for this problem see the archives. All rudders in the slipstream of the prop have a tendency to quickly turn when wheel is left loose. Putting a little friction on hte wheel brake can helpo alleviate the condition.
J
John
wheel cable needs adjust ment
I tweeked my wheel cable last week and it almost stop the the shimmmmmy under power.And it was not to bad a job.start spraying the bolts with WD40 for afew weeks then to adjust use two six point wrench like the ones for brake line. Center wheel and dont make it two tight some lube would be nice two. John ps on a1988 C30 the bolts are under the floor behind wheel
I tweeked my wheel cable last week and it almost stop the the shimmmmmy under power.And it was not to bad a job.start spraying the bolts with WD40 for afew weeks then to adjust use two six point wrench like the ones for brake line. Center wheel and dont make it two tight some lube would be nice two. John ps on a1988 C30 the bolts are under the floor behind wheel
I have struggled with steering on my 88 Cat 30 as described, and am puzzled. Taking up all the slack in the cables is a must to steady the wheel The pull to port is a ongoing mystery. At times it is so bad, letting go the wheel under power causes an abrupt 90 degree turn to port. I am reluctant to let a novice take the wheel. At other times under the same conditions there is NO pull to port? I am beginning to think there is a factor of rudder cleanliness. Mostly my bottom is very clean, including the rudder. Presently the bottom needs cleaning, the rudder looks foul, and there is NO pull to port. The boat tracks straight! I'm wondering if the extra resistance on the surface causes a drag on the aft end of the rudder making it run straight? It's not a situation that can be evaluated in an afternoon, but maybe if it got some attention there is a simple answer? I also notice a softer wheel under sail with the dirty rudder? Anyone else? Ron B
A
Alchemist
The "Snap Hook" to Port is the Prop
Pretty much all inboards will do the "Snap Hook" (if you will pardon my golfing term) when under power, with the extent being primarily determined by the engine speed / load, and how well the rudder is balanced. The prop on a C-30 (with the diesel engines) rotates to starboard. This causes the stern to want to walk to starboard, which results in a hard turn to port. Under sail, this isn't a problem because the prop isn't causing the "paddlewheel effect". To minimize this, run the engine slower, replace the three blade sea anchor with a two blader (less side surface area) (or better, with a folding or feathering prop), or (a very bad bad idea), slightly tighten the wheel brake. You seem to have done all the right things to maintain your steering system, but every boat that I have sailed on had a similar effect under power to one extent or another. Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 C-320 #909
Pretty much all inboards will do the "Snap Hook" (if you will pardon my golfing term) when under power, with the extent being primarily determined by the engine speed / load, and how well the rudder is balanced. The prop on a C-30 (with the diesel engines) rotates to starboard. This causes the stern to want to walk to starboard, which results in a hard turn to port. Under sail, this isn't a problem because the prop isn't causing the "paddlewheel effect". To minimize this, run the engine slower, replace the three blade sea anchor with a two blader (less side surface area) (or better, with a folding or feathering prop), or (a very bad bad idea), slightly tighten the wheel brake. You seem to have done all the right things to maintain your steering system, but every boat that I have sailed on had a similar effect under power to one extent or another. Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 C-320 #909
D
Don Guillette
Seahunter: One possable cause of the vibration you feel in the wheel is cavitation, which is caused by wash coming off the prop and hitting the bottom of the boatdue to lack of clearance between the prop and the hull. There is a minimum amount of clearance needed between the prop and the hull. If the prop is too large, you'll get cavitation.
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