lost rudder

[RobS]

Sure is a lot better than a "Lost Rudder", lol

And a lot cheaper !

Hopefully the tow was free...

Was the mechanic really at a loss with that one ?

[Pitou]

And to get all your questions answered on your Sea Star System, like what's that clear tube, how do I know I've gotten all of the air out of the system, etc. Pretty much, a must read so that you know a little more about your boat.

http://www.seastarsolutions.com/support ... g-systems/

[Tree]

Next thing is be looking at is where it's leaking. I'm tempting fate now by saying in three years ownership I've only ever topped up with steering fluid because some leaked when the autopilot was installed.

[mjohnh]

Looked for leak behind medicine cabinet door and at the piston.....did not see anything....I have to learn how to "bleed" the system...the link that Pitou sent may have some good information on such............I caught the mechanic at the end of the day.......big Marina and, IMO, understaffed.......has been turnover in maintenance and office.........

[drbob]

Finding the leak that may not be there.

These systems use the fluid to lubricate the seals on the piston in the back of the boat. That means it will use a minuscule amount of fluid BUT that can add up over time and lots of use. There is a reason they want you to continually check the fluid levels. If a boat sits for a long period, the seals will dry up and crack. Then the first few times you turn the wheel out comes the fluid in a torrential blast. Not good.

The second place to find leaks is where the outflow and return tubes connect to the reservoir behind the medicine cabinet. These tube fittings are infinitely lubricated by the fluid and can (and do) vibrate loose. And if not there, check the fittings around the autopilot. Arrgh.

Bob

[mjohnh]

Thanks, Dr. Bob......I will do this in a few days........

[mjohnh]

If there is a leak in the hydraulic steering....where should one look, first....then, second..etc...what are the most likely places.......???

[catalina_mike]

A leak will leave evidence. The ram fittings at the stern and the shaft of the ram, The steering wheel (behind the dash), any autopilot tees or connections.

[kowal_53]

Steering was my first unknown problem I had when I bought my new boat. I had a devil of a time getting fuel, and it was almost gone completely when I arrived at my dock. At this point I just tonight I was have a bad day with the new boat. I opened up the rear hatch and there was a pool of fluid by the steering cylinder. Apparently I was able to get some steering if I kept turning the wheel, it just was not very good. Rebuilt the cylinder and everything was fine. So how this got past me on the sea trial I will never know.

Just a thought. If you are under autopilot and you turn the wheel, the autopilot will compensate for your wheel input, and the boat will not turn. So it could appear that you lost your rudder if you want it to turn.

[catalina_mike]

Some auto pilots have a release if you overcome the autopilot pump. Mine does not have the interlock release.