Steering problem, rudder is not responding

jrbro22 · Post by **jrbro22** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:00 am

I have a 26' 1961 Trojan and it seems to have a steering problem. The rudder seems to be stuck. The problem occurred while turning left and it seems like thats the direction that the rudders position when it froze. Mechanically, when visibly looking from the top of the boat to the bilge area where the steering shaft and the part that goes down towards the rudder below, it seems to be functioning properly when turning the helm left or right. But as far as the operating aspect, it seems to be inoperable. The boat just seems to go 1 direction, towards left or around in circle. If you may have knowledge on what the problem might be, please respond with your answer, thank you very much

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:42 am

The tiller arm seems to be disconnected or loose from the rudder shaft ... or is the entire rudder blade itself bent?

Is the boat afloat? If not, have a swimmer fell for it. Does the rudder turn right/left of center when you turn the wheel?

jrbro22 · Post by **jrbro22** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:18 pm

rossjo wrote:The tiller arm seems to be disconnected or loose from the rudder shaft ... or is the entire rudder blade itself bent?

Is the boat afloat? If not, have a swimmer fell for it. Does the rudder turn right/left of center when you turn the wheel?

Thank you for the reply. Yes the boat is afloat, but one of the harbor worker said that he might be able to get a trailer for me to rent so that I may be able to pull it out. As far as we can see when the wheel is turned left to right and centered, the drive shaft seem and the arm that holds the rudder shaft is operable but the rudder is not responding. The boat just seems to just want to go left or in circle. Even the vessel assist captain that towed me back in to the marina stated that the boat is wanting to go left while being towed.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:42 pm

Don't waste $ on a trailer yet. Set the wheel to the center at the helm, get in the water and see if the rudder is centered, bent, has something on it, or is loose. Then have a helper turn it from side to side and see if it turns (while you're in the water).

jrbro22 · Post by **jrbro22** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:53 pm

rossjo wrote:Don't waste $ on a trailer yet. Set the wheel to the center at the helm, get in the water and see if the rudder is centered, bent, has something on it, or is loose. Then have a helper turn it from side to side and see if it turns (while you're in the water).

thank you again

hmc · Post by **hmc** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:17 pm

BET YOU GOT SOMETING WRAPPED ON THE RUDER .

I SEE THE PROPLEM EVERYTING TURNS LEFT IN California

1967 seavoyager · Post by **1967 seavoyager** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:00 pm

The keway may have fallen out of the rudder arm where it connects to the steering box. It has one just like a car under the lazarette. Could be something wrong with the box or the end joint on the drag link too. Remove the rear hatch (lazarette) & the plywood piece to get to all the steering components. Probably has never been greased. There's a few fittings down there.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:58 am

jrbro22,

Did you get your rudder working? Just curious what it was ...

Tuck · Post by **Tuck** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:35 pm

hmc wrote:I SEE THE PROPLEM EVERYTING TURNS LEFT IN California

just had to throw out a ROFLMAO on that one.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:29 pm

Watch the rudder shaft as you have someone turn the wheel. You stated that the tiller arm was moving, so this would idicate that the steering mechanisam is working. When the tiller arm moves, does the rudder shaft also move, or is the arm slipping on the shaft? If the shaft isn't moving with the arm, the key is either missing or broken. If the shaft moves with the arm, then the pins that secures the rudder to the shaft are broken and will need the be replaced.

A diver can remove the rudder without taking the boat out of the water. You will need to put a tapered wooden plug in the rudder shaft hole when you remove the rudder. With the rudder shaft and rudder removed the repair is straight forward. Once the rudder is re-installed it would be a good idea to re-pack the rudder stuffing box.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:53 am

I would NOT pull the rudder out in the water . Its hard to get them out on land some times . I just put 2 rudders im my boat I had to cut one to get it out . and it was working fine . if yours is damaged it maybe very hard to get out. I have pulled a rudder out in the water but it was new and still it was no fun.

If the rudder has to be removed pull the boat .

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:15 am

"... rudder hast ber removed ..." - is it Octoberfest in VA ?

For now, find out what its doing with someone in the water and at the helm, tell us and then we can help you ...

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:37 pm

MR SPELL CHECK I FIXED IT !!! Do you need something to keep you busy ??

LSP · Post by **LSP** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:36 pm

Paul ... don't think you need spell check with the capt. around. hahaha

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:27 pm

Just having fun ... slow afternoon ...