Paul D Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 On return from the fishing trip on Tuesday, I steamed up to the slipway at Wick and swung the wheel around to steam alongside the wall at which point I felt something break and had no steering at all. Grabbed the engine and turned it by hand and brought the boat in alongside the tenders that are there. If the problem had occurred earlier it would have been an absolute nightmare trying to get back single handed without any steering ( in fact it would have been impossible ). At home it seems to me that the ultraflex cable has broken somewhere along its length, so new one on order from L&J marine and fitting will cost around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Paul, An old saltydog buddy of mine once explained that a bucket on a boat has more uses than any other iten on the boat. Bait well, anchor bin, baling, peeing, barfing, and steering. Simply tie the bucket to a rope and drag it behind midships whilst slowly making headway. Adjust to starboard or port to steer. Not for use with fine manouvers but might get you to safety. Actually anything with drag will do and probably a bunch of rags or a securely tied coil of rope would work. Wedge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Quote..Actually anything with drag Hmm, Paul prancing round his boat wearing drag whilst towing a buquet..... Mad Mike PS I think the plastic gear wheel that acts as the pinion drive in the steering box is the most likely culprit. The gear wheels do fatigue with age and stress on the teeth. I bet several teeth sheared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 This happened to me a few weeks ago. Was in a rush to get out after work and as I pushed away from the wall, I started the engine and went to straighten up the wheel, when it went loose with a snap...drifting down the harbour...luckily it was shallow and warm enough to hop out and drag it ashore. For a change the problem was simple to solve and the 'retaining' screw that holds the end of the ultraflex in had vibrated loose. Putting the wheel hard over to retract the thread and cable and replacing it I was up and away again, but it does make you think. My engine actually has a mount for a tiller steer - a homemade measure is not too hard, stores easily and takes the worry away from this issue. Mine is a simple piece of 1.5" waste pipe and connector that slips over the engine mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nipper Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 paul your engine and all that cableing should still be under warranty. its not a year old yet is it i thought all the etecs have a 3 year warranty it was all new when fitted was it . mark b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Didn't know the etec warranty is so good that in covers parts which it didn't come with..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 it was probaly pauls exisiting steering from the Honda he had previously PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nipper Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 sorry i did not read the post propley still halfcut from night befour . mark b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted August 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Mark, The steering is the original and having had it replaced by L&J Marine I can see the reason the cable broke - well corroded inside. Whilst there I had my engine software updated as well. Have done 76 hours at range of revs ( mainly around 4000 RPM ) and the engine failed to reach proper operating temp once at 43 hours in. Amazing how clever the Engine Management systems are nowdays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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