Steering / Rudder Angle Question

[cacioa]

On my 340, I do not have a rudder indicator, so I always used the rule of thumb to count the rotations of the steering wheel then divide by half and I would have my rudders straight. So for the last 2 months (since I've owned this boat), I always had 5 rotations in my steering wheel, so at 2.5 revolutions I knew I had a straight rudder. --I even put a piece of tape there so I knew when I was right on. This weekend, my rudders didnt feel straight going out of my fairway. So once I was in open water, I counted from end to end and had 4.5 revolutions. I moved the tape 1/4 of a turn in the steering wheel, and driving up and down the channel, this was indeed my new straight rudder position. Does this make any sense at all? Has anyone else ever experienced this? Thanks in advance.

 

[jxm99]

ive noticed something similar. i like to count the turns lock to lock on my 320 to know where straight is when backing into my slip. i had the position of the wheel memorized but noticed it was always moving a little. the wheel was slipping when pushed to hard at the lock. watch for slippage and tighten up the screws on the wheel

 

[billnpat]

On my 340, I do not have a rudder indicator, so I always used the rule of thumb to count the rotations of the steering wheel then divide by half and I would have my rudders straight. So for the last 2 months (since I've owned this boat), I always had 5 rotations in my steering wheel, so at 2.5 revolutions I knew I had a straight rudder. --I even put a piece of tape there so I knew when I was right on. This weekend, my rudders didnt feel straight going out of my fairway. So once I was in open water, I counted from end to end and had 4.5 revolutions. I moved the tape 1/4 of a turn in the steering wheel, and driving up and down the channel, this was indeed my new straight rudder position. Does this make any sense at all? Has anyone else ever experienced this? Thanks in advance.

I bought this last year and so far it has worked perfectly

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=pD4vTt3-HIn50gHH0vDZAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEMQ8wIwAA

 

[mddickens]

When I bought my boat, I noticed during the survey that the wheel wasn't straight when the rudders were centered and asked about that. The response from the mechanic was that this was more or less normal and that they move as you use the boat (don't know why), but it's true. I've noticed that the position of the wheel changes over time when the rudders are centered. I've learned to live with it. I think using an automotive style wheel on a boat is silly since it implies something that the steering linkage to the rudders is fixed and that's apparently not true. If they used a standard stainless steel spoked wheel, it wouldn't be as noticeable.

 

[Skuza]

Same experience here. I usually have the autopilot on which shows the indicator on the screen and go by that. The wheel always moves. I usually center the wheel while on autopilot then shut it off. Its a habit even though I know its gonna change. On I believe the last 400EC my Dad had you could actually rotate the wheel without turning the rudders. This was accomplished by VERY SLOWLY turning the wheel while under way. Don't know how that was possible. It was almost like a stall converter that didn't engage until you turned the wheel a certain speed.
This reminds me that I want to check the fluid level. A low level may have something to do with the "accuracy" of these systems. Flushing the fluid probably wouldn't be a bad idea either.

 

[rondds]

You could open the hatch and check the position of the rudder posts. Of course not while underway, but to establish where to put the piece of tape.

 

[sbw1]

If you have an autopilot on, you can center the logo on the wheel and not move the rudders. I sometimes turn my wheel forgetting the pilot is engaged and it feels funny reminding me the computer is running the boat. You could do the same with tape. It may or may not indicate center if you were to center it while making a turn with the pilot engaged.