1986 390 Hard Steering

[Wet Paws]

The steering on my 1986 390 Sport Fish is really stiff. I have friends with late 1988 340 and 390 express cruisers that turn very easy. Any ideas on what could cause this?

Thanks

 

[fwebster]

Double station or single station?

 

[bahamabreisus]

We had similar issues, I lubed all the rudder fittings, seemed to fix.

 

[Wet Paws]

It's a double

 

[fwebster]

If it just as hard to steer from the upper station ad t he lower one, I suspect the rudder packing glands just need to be re packed. Sometimes on older boats, we just keep tightening the packing glands until a.) the packing gets fully compressed and b.) the original packing gets completely dried out. At that point the packing gland can gall the rudder post it is so tight. To test it, take one rudder loose at the steering bar and try to turn it by hand. It should easily turn from one side to the other. I had this happen and ended up hauling the boat out and removing the rudders and packing glands to I could polish the rudder posts and dig out all the dried out packing out of the glands. Before the repair, you could barely turn the steering wheel, now it is like I have power steering.

 

[Wet Paws]

Yes, it is hard steering from both. I'll check that out! Thanks

 

[Wet Paws]

Thanks for the info

 

[HUMPH]

My 320 had tight steering and it ended up being a bent rudder shaft. Surveyor didn't catch it when I bought it....