Beneteau Antares Series 9 - Steering

[BlueMist]

Has anyone experienced heavy steering on helm on a Series 9? Boat new in 2005 purchased in June 2007, told by agents "they are all like that". Is this your experience?

 

[Major Catastrophe]

It has hydraulic steering so it shouldn't be stiff.

I drove one last year...it wasn't what I would call stiff.

Stiff is a smaller Antares with cable steering.

 

[Mcokes]

Has anyone experienced heavy steering on helm on a Series 9? Boat new in 2005 purchased in June 2007, told by agents "they are all like that". Is this your experience?

Long shot but did you ever resolve this? I am having a similar issue

 

[Calorifier Clive]

Hi, hope I can help .
Had several Antares shaft boats with hydraulic steering. Normal issue is that the detrin / composite type rudder bearing swells over time , then becomes almost a vice like grip on the stainless rudder stock..the two 'o ' rings do not really come into play as the composite bearing becomes so tight.
Never had trouble with any of the hydraulic installed systems ( other than overfilling and oil expansion spillage in summer heat on flybridge.
The tell tale, is to disconnect the rudder steering arm from the steering ram in the lazerrete space. If moving the steering helm wheel ( with aft ram saftey supported) if helm.wheel moves freely without the squeaking or prior stiffness ...it is most likely the bottom rudder bearing has swollen out of original tolerance.
You should be able to freely move the rudder steering arm ( with the hydraulic rams link disconnected ) beneteau supplied ( charged for ) new top hat type lower bearing replacements complete with o rings .
I would check the play in the top rudder bearing as although the seawater rarely reached that high inside the fiberglass rudder tube stock, just the action of the off centre leverage can make the top bearings go a little oliptical.
You can't see the top bearing easily because there should a thrust / bearing washer beneath the rudder quadrant arm that is clamped on with pinch bolts and small keyway and grub screws ( to stop rudder falling out down to Dave Jones's locker.
Afraid bottom rudder bearings is an ashore job...
Hope some help

 

[Mcokes]

Thank you. Just put boat back in water!! Couldn’t see any issues and works ok with tiller (not really sure how stiff it should be).

Have written to the steering pump manufacturer to see if they have any ideas.

Thanks for your answer.