wheel perchase on hunter 340 (1999)

[rami gazit]

As a new owner of Hunter (340-1999) I found that the wheel is hard to steer relative to my last boat with the same draft-beneteau 350. It seems that the Edson mechanisem moves the water force on the rudder back and the man at the wheel need to work hard to keep the course. Is there an option to change the machanical setting to make the stering easier?(maybe change the mechanism?)thanksRami

 

[Andy]

Racked pinion brake (break)

First, make sure the wheel brake isn't tighten down. Did the Beneteau have a wheel brake that held the rudder in place?Second, at one point Hunter went to a rack and pinion type steering. I would check first and see if perhaps a the steering rod is bent or binding on some onboard flotsom. Finally, have you been overboard? An old dockline wrapped on the rudder shaft comes to mind.

 

[rami gazit]

to be clear- the wheel moves easily

the wheel moves easily when not sailing! it is the force of the waves and the water that transfer back to the wheel that makes tha problem