MichaelB1969
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2016
- Messages
- 681
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Speedy Charlotte
- Vessel Make
- Beneteau Swift Trawler 44
Okay, so this morning I was getting ready to leave my slip. I always test the steering and transmission before heading out. When I turned the steering wheel a the LH (lower helm), the rudders didn't move. I noticed that the steering wheel felt a little loose too. In other words, it didn't have the same resistance it usually has.
I then went to the UH (upper helm) and turned the wheel there, and the rudder indicator moved and the wheel had the same resistance it usually has.
So I went back down to the LH, and suddenly the wheel was working. However, it still didn't feel like it normally did. Still felt loose.
When I got out of my slip and headed out, at times the LH wheel would not move the rudders, and at other times it would. Definitely not right.
I have a small leak in my autopilot pump, which is getting replaced under warranty this week. But the leak is so small that it's hard to imagine enough steering fluid leaking to have such an effect. After a few weeks away from the boat there are only a few drops of fluid that leaked out. Also, I would think if it was the fluid that was the issue, the UH wouldn't work well either.
Any thoughts? It's going to be at the boatyard this week so going to have them take a look, but wondering if anyone has any ideas here.
Thanks!
Mike
I then went to the UH (upper helm) and turned the wheel there, and the rudder indicator moved and the wheel had the same resistance it usually has.
So I went back down to the LH, and suddenly the wheel was working. However, it still didn't feel like it normally did. Still felt loose.
When I got out of my slip and headed out, at times the LH wheel would not move the rudders, and at other times it would. Definitely not right.
I have a small leak in my autopilot pump, which is getting replaced under warranty this week. But the leak is so small that it's hard to imagine enough steering fluid leaking to have such an effect. After a few weeks away from the boat there are only a few drops of fluid that leaked out. Also, I would think if it was the fluid that was the issue, the UH wouldn't work well either.
Any thoughts? It's going to be at the boatyard this week so going to have them take a look, but wondering if anyone has any ideas here.
Thanks!
Mike