Hey guys/gals. I've got one I am trying to wrap my head around.
First, the specs:
1987 MKI, hull #660
I have a 3 bladed folding prop
Now the issue:
When motoring under power I am noticing a significant amount of vibration in the rudder. I also notice a pretty strong turning tendancy to port. Both problems increase as RPM increases.
Finally the question:
What is the deal?! I've owned this boat for about a year and a half and have never really noticed anything like this, although I have only recently taken to running the engine at a higher RPM. Is this "torque steer" and associted vibration normal, or is it a result of some sort of folding prop issue?
As always, thanks!
—
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
Check the rudder post and stuffing box to see how lose it is. The check the cutlass bearing. Next year check the motor alignment when it is in the water.
The joy of owning a boat!
Oh yeah, get rid of the folding prop! It is my opinion, they are a large waste of money.
Jimmy,
Secondwind
Hull No. 2058
Not my area of expertise but my initial thoughts are either slop in the steering linkage or worn out bushing in the rudder posts. Have you hit anything lately that may have bent the rudder?
Bill
s/v Lucky
1984 MK I Hull #266
San Antonio, Texas
I'll send you my 2 blade fixed prop in trade for the folder if you want to switch!
Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada
I don't know what's causing your vibration, but the tourque steer to port is normal especially with a three blade prop. If I let go of my helm under power Caprice will turn to port. The higher the rpm's the faster she will turn, at idle speed it is hardly noticeable.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Thanks for the replies! I was most worried about the torque steer, so I am glad to hear that's normal. As for the rudder, there is a bit of play there, so I plan to put some mylar shims in it until I can get it out of the water to epoxy the rudder tube. I'll follow up once I get it shimmed and report of how well it worked/didn't work. Thanks again!
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
I have the same type of problem. I think I'ts engine/shaft alignment! any body have any ideas on how to do it?
Cecil
Update: Had difficulty removing the cap on top of the rudder stock so I ended up just shimming the bottom of the stock above the quadrant. Noticed a significant reduction in vibration, and the steering felt good bit smoother. All said, I'm pretty happy with the results, and feel confident that it will hold until I get it hauled.
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
Cecil, welcome to the Forum.
As a new arrival, you are asked to check out this link [URL="http://www.c36ia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147"]http://www.c36ia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147[/URL], for a heads-up on formatting your posts.
Then, the topic of engine/shaft alignment sounds like something that may have been addressed before. So it might be worthwhile for you to search for key terms, such as "alignment", "vibration", and "shaft".
If you don't find the answer that way, you can start a new thread, which will send us all off a new direction, exclusively dedicated to your issue.
Thanks for visiting us. We look forward to your becoming a regular.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
As Mike from Caprice mentions, there is a normal "prop walk" in most installations. My fixed 3-blade prop spins clockwise in forward gear as viewed from behind the boat.
The best way to remember is to think of the prop as a wheel on a car with the "road" underneath. In forward, a right-hand prop (CW rotation) will tend to walk the stern to stbd and thus turn the bow to port. In reverse, the prop will walk the stern to port and turn the bow to stbd.
Prop walk in reverse is usually far more pronounced than in forward because the prop wash in forward is mitigated somewhat by the rudder. Not so much in reverse.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Just to clarify the problem, this wasn't prop walk. By turning tendency, I intended to say the wheel and rudder would turn hard to port independant from the boat's prop walk-induced turning tendency. I suspect it had something to do with the prop pushing water over the sides of the rudder disproportionately.
In any case, the vibration stopped, and since I am not the only one with a self-turning wheel I'm happy! Thanks again.
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL