Due to a recent "event" my rudder and wheel are now slightly misaligned. The reference tape on the wheel is now about 10 degrees to port when the rudder is centered. Boat is hauled for the summer. There's no visible damage to the rudder; mechanic said he can't see anything damaged below decks. I"m wondering if the drive wheel slipped on the ruddershaft (looking at the dwgs. it looks like that clamps on): or the sprocket on the steering wheel shaft slipped.
Has anybody had this experience? What did you do?
Tnx, Todd
Rudder and steering wheel misalignment
Fri, 06/23/2017 - 13:03
#1
Rudder and steering wheel misalignment
I am not sure what model of C36 you have. On my rudder wheel - there is a 1/2" bolt that goes through the rudder post and the wheel. It would be impossible for the wheel to slip - unless the bolt is broken.
I will be curious as to what you find.
I would replace the 2 cables that connect to the rudder wheel first.
Also - check the 2 2" blocks just under the binnacle. One of them may be bent or broken.
Look on the steering wheel shaft, there should be a bar to lock the wheel to the shaft. It may have fallen off.
Let us know.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
Thanks. I will check these when I get back to the boat. I'm hoping Tom's fix, below, solves the problem.
Todd,
I'm not sure what caused it, but the fix is easy. Each of the two ends of the steering cables terminate in eye-bolts that are secured to the rudder quadrant. They have double nuts to keep them from loosening. If you back off one eye-bolt, and tighten the other one, the rudder angle will change in relation to the wheel. I've done this several times before to get things properly aligned. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Thanks Tom. That sounds like the answer. Although I haven't been back to the boat since I posted this querey we will be heading down after Christmas. That will be the first order of business.