Bavaria 39 steering problem

ianmac

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Got a Bavaria 39. It came out of the water for two months and now the steering is very stiff. Any thoughts?
 
Bearings sieze on the shaft which I believe is aluminium not SS. Softness of the metal normally results in wear on shaft not bearing. Its a regular problem (mostly worn sharfts) I believe but its a lot of boat for the money and they have to make some cost cutting somewhere before the Bav bashers have a go!
 
The bearings in the Bavaria steering system are succeptable to marine growth which leads to them swelling and cramping the SS rudder post. I have advised a number of owners on this one, having experienced it myself. If you PM me I will send you details of what to do. It's not major engineering.
In essence you will have to drop the rudder and clean out the lower bush.

I would advise you to ignore ill-intentioned speculation on this forum about Bavarias and cost cutting - stick with the facts.

PWG
 
I had exactly this problem with my Bav 42cc some years back. There was corrosion on the surface of the rudder stock. The bearing is a straight nylon bush. However you might want to check out the corrosion at the rudder stock to rudder join point. Mine had suffered from (I think) galvamic corrosion and a nasty little ring (quite deep) of corrosion meant that I had to have a new rudder. As a result I never kept the yacht connected to the shore power for extended periods.

To check this you need to drop the rudder about 50mm to see. You can also clean the rudder stock bearing surface at the same time. You might have to disconect the quadrant as well, but that is easy. Just four SS allen screws.

good luck
 
An enginnering company specialising in Bavaria tell me that i will have to replace the bearing (£500!!). Does anyone know of a replacement that will not have this problem?
 
Bavaria's were not alone with this problem, We had similar with a Moody 336 in the early 90's. It was the same. From memory Moody's did the work at Swanwick, I paid for the lift and winter storage. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I watched them do it not a hard task once lifted.

Iota
 
bearing problem on steering of Bavaria 42

I have noted over the last 2 months the steering on B42 has become stiff and "gritty" this got markedly worse after a 2 month gap i useage The boat is in Cartagena Spain
Any further thoughts? a slight improvement followed an underwaer clean up around the shaft and base of bearing
A
 
I have noted over the last 2 months the steering on B42 has become stiff and "gritty" this got markedly worse after a 2 month gap i useage The boat is in Cartagena Spain
Any further thoughts? a slight improvement followed an underwaer clean up around the shaft and base of bearing
A

Yes, likely to be marine growth where the stock goes into the lower bearing. Needs cleaning. Common if the boat (not just a Bavaria) is not used for a while. Sounds like yours is not just at the expoused bit so it may need dropping the rudder a bit to clean the stock.
 
Bearings sieze on the shaft which I believe is aluminium not SS. Softness of the metal normally results in wear on shaft not bearing. Its a regular problem (mostly worn sharfts) I believe but its a lot of boat for the money and they have to make some cost cutting somewhere before the Bav bashers have a go!

Have to contradict this note - it's not worn shafts but swollen nylon bearings. See my previous posts to get further details of what to do. Or PM me for work sheet.

PWG
Bav owner.
 
Bav Rudder/Bearing

I had the same problem on my 36 last winter - I was advised it was likely to have been a stray current from wooden yachts moored adjacent to me with poor earth and mains connection! I dropped the rudder and found a ring of corrosion around the "neck". The nylon bearing was not worn but slightly oval. I was able to clean away most of the corroded area with wet and dry paper and light sanding on a home made round wooden former restored the bearing. Greased and re-fitted plus on the advice of M.G.Duff fitted a small round anode which was connected to the rudder stock via a flexible wire - they will be able to provide you with full info.
This has proved fine this year - so far!
Hope this helps. Davit.
 
The bearings in the Bavaria steering system are succeptable to marine growth which leads to them swelling and cramping the SS rudder post. I have advised a number of owners on this one, having experienced it myself. If you PM me I will send you details of what to do. It's not major engineering.
In essence you will have to drop the rudder and clean out the lower bush.

I would advise you to ignore ill-intentioned speculation on this forum about Bavarias and cost cutting - stick with the facts.

PWG
Hi Peter
do n't know how to send PM but would appreciate your advice as I have similar problem and am in Spain
Alan Edwards itsmeal2003@yahoo.co.uk
 
The good news is that Maritex have launched a new bearing material this year designed to overcome the issues of marine growth. It has an advanced polymer surface finish which aids removal of marine growth from the shaft whilst also having a surface chemistry which resists marine growth on the bearing surface.

Let me know the shaft and carrier size, or you can work out the size you need from the tables on our website.

This Phenolic resin bearing has lower water absorption than nylons like Delrin which are used commonly in yacht rudder bearings.
 
Bavaria 37 rudder bearings

The rudder bearings on our Bavaria 37 (bought new in 2006) seized up in 2008 and were replaced with a new set from Bavaria Yachts. We now appear to be in the same position as the steering is getting harder and harder again.

Any suggestions of a reliable solution please?:confused:
 
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