Colvic atlanta rudder

[Csail]

Our rudder has always been hard to move. It is operated via Vetus hydraulic steering and the lower bearing was changed but still the same stiffness! How hard is it to change the through hull bearing (assuming thats the problem)
Our friends Colvic can be steered with one finger!
I am pretty strong but it takes big yanks.!!!

 

[philip_stevens]

A possible reason.

We had a Colvic 26 Sailer quite a few years ago, and she had a stainless steel rudder shaft. A friend of mine has one now, but his had a mild steel shaft. Mine had no resistance in turning the rudder, but his got gradually stiffer to move. When we removed his, the shaft was completely corroded and binding on the rudder tube.

It could be you have the same problem (I know yours is a bigger boat). He overcame the problem by having a SS shaft made up to fit the tube that replaced the original (also rusty) tube. He also had to have the rudder cut open to fit the tangs, and refilled with expanding foam.

 

[pcatterall]

My Atlanta steering turns with one finger. It does have the ss shaft. What is the new engine?
Regards

 

[AndCur]

Hi

There are a few boats that use nylon rudder bushes. Over time it swells causeing the rudder to be stiff.

Hope this helps

Andrew