Stiff and Squeaky Steering - out of water

[Richard10002]

Having antifouled the rudder, turning the wheel on various occasions to get at different parts of the rudder, it has all now dried and I'm launching in the morning.

Anyway, I come to turn the wheel, and its really stiff and there is a rubbery kind of squeaking at various points of the helm.

Could this be be a bearing that needs lubricating with water, like the cutlass bearing, or is it just the antifoul needs freeing, or could it be a serious problem?

All was fine when turning the wheel for painting a 3 or 4 days ago.

Many Thanks

Richard

 

[Piddy]

Hi Richard,

It happens every year to our rudder - I worry that one day it won't free up! Having had it all apart 18 months ago, I know there's little to stop it apart from the seals but I was still concerned 'till it floated and worked OK.

I gather you are afloat again now so hopefully all is OK.

Cheers

 

[Richard10002]

I'm afloat, didnt sink, hull looks shiny, toilets with new pipe work fine, and so on. I'm on the quay at the yard waiting for my windex to have some bits fitted to it.

Tried the wheel and it spins fine - must be like the cutlass bearing and needs some water to lubricate - thanks for the thoughts, and sorry I didnt report back sooner /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif