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Problem with my steering |
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Manison 
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Joined: March-30-2010 Location: Southern CA Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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 Topic: Problem with my steeringPosted: March-30-2010 at 3:28am |
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Guys
I would have to say that i have been watching and learningt from your forum now for just over a year. I was given a 1981 Ski Nautique 2001 last year that had an engine problem. Me and my partner worked with the help of your forum and basically fixed all of the issues to get the boat working again. The biggest issue was the original owner used automotive parts instead of boat parts and so eventually replaced the starter and could not get the boat to run. We replaced all of the necessary parts with Marine parts and ($2000 latere) everything was running fine until the steering ceased at the end of last season. If you disconnect the cable from the rudder this moves no problem but then where the steering cable joins the rudder is froze solid. I am sure you have had this issue come up previously, but i cannot find the right advice on the forum anywhere. Please advise on what our best remedy here is. Thanks Nick |
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bkhallpass
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Joined: March-29-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4723 |
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Posted: March-30-2010 at 4:22am |
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Not following you as to what is frozen.
When you disconnect the rudder from the cable, what moves freely? The rudder or the cable? You've probably got a bad cable, but I'm not quite following your description. BKH |
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Livin' the Dream
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Manison
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Posted: March-30-2010 at 4:43am |
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Sorry for the misleading info.
The cable moves freely once it is detached from the rudder so the rudder is stuck Thanks Nick |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: March-30-2010 at 9:23am |
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Nick,
On the top of the rudder port, there's a stuffing box with packing inside that seals off water around the rudder shaft. It's a big nut with a thinner jam nut under it preventing rotation after the packing is compressed. It's the same set up as the packing at your prop shaft. It's possible it's over tightened but since it's seized, I'd open it up. Take the tiller arm off the top and then remove the packing nut. See what's going on inside. Grease and repack. It should use 1/4" size shaft packing but check by measuring the space between the inside of the packing nut and the rudder shaft. You'll need a couple feet and will be available at any marine supply. |
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Air206
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Joined: September-28-2008 Location: Roanoke, VA Status: Offline Points: 3000 |
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Posted: March-30-2010 at 9:52am |
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Nick -
Pete meant to start the reply with: Do this on the trailer! 
(hate to lose that rudder!!!) Steve |
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bkhallpass
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Posted: March-30-2010 at 1:53pm |
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HMMM, I suppose it's possible that the Rudder froze up. Are you using it in salt water? Is it corroded? In any case, Pete's right about taking it apart, cleaning, greasing, repacking.
However, if it was working fine, and suddenly it was not, I would guess you've hit something and bent the rudder. It doesn't have to be bent much to stick pretty good. Were you in the boat when it stopped? One other thing, do you have a 1981 SN. Correct Craft did not make the 2001 model until 1982. BKH |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: March-30-2010 at 3:11pm |
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Brian makes a very good point regarding the rudder shaft being bent!!! They can be straightened plus, the shaft to port is a relatively sloppy fit.
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TRBenj
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Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21184 |
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Posted: March-30-2010 at 3:52pm |
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Any chance the rudder is stuck on the trailer? Dont laugh, Ive seen this before.
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Gary S
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Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Posted: March-30-2010 at 11:42pm |
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And don't forget to saftey wire the bolts when your done so you don't lose that said rudder at the most critical time!
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Manison
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Joined: March-30-2010 Location: Southern CA Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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Posted: March-31-2010 at 1:46am |
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Guys
Thank you all very much for your advice, i have been travelling today from Sunny San Diego to wet and windy NY. The boat is a ski Nautique 2001 so it must be a 1982 version. Yes it has been used in saltwater for many years. The problem actually occurred once before in that the steering went really stiff but with a bit of strength i broke the rudder free, so i am assuming that it is corrosion that is causing the problem not hitting anything. When i get back i will take a look at taking the assembly apart and regreasing and packing. I do have a local marine supply store here so will get the packing amterial from there. Eventually (maybe this year) we will refinish the exterior of the boat and get a new interior as mechanically we are not in to bad shape, with trhe exception of the steering. Thanks again for all your advice. I will let you know how we get on after the weekend |
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bkhallpass
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Posted: March-31-2010 at 3:49am |
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I used to live in San Diego, in PB about a block from the Tourmaline surf park. Had many fun evenings skiing in Mission Bay.
Just humor me, and before you disassemble the Rudder, turn the rudder back and forth with your hand a few times. Look for any scraping, catching or other evidence that the rudder might be bent. BKH |
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Donald80SN
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Joined: January-12-2009 Location: Denver, NC Status: Offline Points: 3896 |
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Posted: March-31-2010 at 11:01am |
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Also, support the rudder from the bottom. Get your friends to help. If you do not support the rubber it may fall out and get damaged from hitting the ground.
I hope this helps, Donald |
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kapla
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Joined: March-27-2008 Location: BA, Argentina Status: Offline Points: 6148 |
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Posted: March-31-2010 at 1:40pm |
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spread your feet out of the rudder possible fall are..you don´t want it to smash your toes in a unfortunately event...
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<a href="">1992 ski nautique
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