MANOEVERING.TWIN ENGINES.PROBLEM

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DemonsRun

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HI ALL. I HAVE A 1978 PRINCESS 31 WITH TWIN VOLVO LEGS. THEY ARE JAMMED AT AN ANGLE OF 45 DEGREES. THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN THEM STRAIGHT.I THINK AND HOPE THAT THE PROBLEM IS DEBRIS STUCK IN THE DRIVE
( I AM MOORED ON A TIDAL RIVER THAMES PONTOON- HURLINGHAM YACHT CLUB AND NEED TO GET HER INTO DRY DOCK)
MY PROBLEM - CAN I STILL MANOEUVRE JUST USING THE ENGINES AND SIMPLY BALANCING THE THRUST OR WILL I JUST GO ROUND IN CIRCLES!

ANY THOUGHTS ?

PHILIP
 
Your caps lock seems to be stuck. (I only mention this because most people interpret writing in capitals on this forum as the equivalent of shouting…)

You can manoeuvre under engines only (in fact on twin shaft drives it’s by far the best way at slow speeds) but with both legs on maximum lock (which is what 45 degrees is) I don’t think it will work.

Presumably the steering is hydraulic? I’m not sure about your ‘bit of debris’ idea. Does the wheel turn at all or is it locked as well? If it spins relatively easily, perhaps there’s been a hydraulic leak? Maybe a valve has siezed in the steering hydraulics? Someone on here may have other suggestions.
 
As John says, manoeuvring with twin engines is doable in normal circumstances, albeit outdrives are not as good as shafts for this in my experience. With both drives stuck at 45 degrees I would say that you have no chance of of being able to manoeuvre well and I wouldn‘t even try it.

Trying to resolve the problem might be the better way to go - if something is jamming them you should be able to see it. Perhaps try lifting them a little - not too much given the angle they are at.
 
Have you been down in the engine bay and tried jiggling the linkage?
Also while down there get a crew member to try to turn the wheel and see if it is the linkage that is jammed.
It may well be something stuck in the outdrive, have you a boathook to have a feel around?
 
john_morris_uk said:
Your caps lock seems to be stuck. (I only mention this because most people interpret writing in capitals on this forum as the equivalent of shouting…)

You can manoeuvre under engines only (in fact on twin shaft drives it’s by far the best way at slow speeds) but with both legs on maximum lock (which is what 45 degrees is) I don’t think it will work.

Presumably the steering is hydraulic? I’m not sure about your ‘bit of debris’ idea. Does the wheel turn at all or is it locked as well? If it spins relatively easily, perhaps there’s been a hydraulic leak? Maybe a valve has siezed in the steering hydraulics? Someone on here may have other suggestions.
Click to expand...
Hi John
( caps repaired! )

This is not a hydraulic system Just a simple cable. The wheel will turn about a quarter lock but does not move the drives.

The cable is running smoothly. During flood tides there is an amazing amount of debris in the river - which I hope is the problem. The alternative is seized drive pins. In either event I need to expose the legs to inspect.

Philip
 
Can you not get access to have a quick visual check in situ, maybe from a dinghy tied off across the stern? - It may be something that can be shifted with a boat hook
 
DemonsRun said:
Hi John
( caps repaired! )

This is not a hydraulic system Just a simple cable. The wheel will turn about a quarter lock but does not move the drives.

The cable is running smoothly. During flood tides there is an amazing amount of debris in the river - which I hope is the problem. The alternative is seized drive pins. In either event I need to expose the legs to inspect.

Philip
Click to expand...
Do the legs go up and down OK? If so you may free any physical blockage.

If not, you need a tow.
 
More than likely debris ( the Thames gets worse !)
Do you have a swim platform you can lie on and have a grope around. If you don't have a boathook - do you have an ensign staff you could use?
 
Could you disconnect the steering from both legs in the engine compartment and work out what leg is jammed ? And poss rig something so just the one leg will steer
 
When last did you grease the helmet- shafts? I would say one has salted up and seized. If you undo the tiebar pin to the slave drive you may be lucky ingetting the master to turn, If not take the pin out the master and see if you can turn the slave. Before doing all that you might try using a grease gun to lubricate the helmet shaft with diesel or penetrating oil to loosen them up before reinjecting clean grease. I have seen old grease turn to cement with the contamination of salt residue. Props are particularly prone to that. Once sorted you would be advised to change the seal on the stem / transom shield of the helmet and replace bushes too .... regrease at least once a year, preferably quarterly
 
philipdawsonladds said:
As others have said, you will go around in circles. How far to the dry dock - could you persuade someone to give you a tow?
Click to expand...
They used to have, back in the 50's a barge that they flooded with tide and put boat in, draining at next low water at Hurlingham YC....I remember it well....is it still there I wonder?
 
Even the water in the Thames should be clear enought to see if anything is jamming the movement of the outdrives.
Have actually changed a propeller on an outdrive while in the water at Henley, simply by lifting it and hanging off the swim platform.
Took about 20 mins. you can then depart leaving no trace except for the rainbow sheen of oil on the surface from the leaking hydraulic rams.
 
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