Autopilot Jams Steering When Hard Over

Dear Cutwater,

I am experiencing the same issue reported by Chris R. I am also the second owner of a 2023 Cutwater C30-S.

On multiple occasions, while maneuvering in close quarters (including near other boats and at a fuel dock), the steering has locked when turning hard over. This has occurred with the autopilot powered on but not engaged. During these events, both the forward and aft helms became unresponsive. I was able to avoid a collision by using the bow and stern thrusters. After a period of time, steering function returned to normal.

I have since been able to consistently reproduce the issue using the Garmin autopilot Dockside Wizard by performing the lock-to-lock (rudder calibration) test. At the completion of the test, the steering becomes locked.

For reference, my system is equipped with a Garmin SmartPump v2.

I am including a photo of the autopilot pump setup for review. I would appreciate any insight or guidance you can provide, as this appears to be a safety-related issue.

Thank you,


Eric

Hi Eric,

Sorry that you are experiencing these issues. Yes, the system should not jam when performing the lock-to-lock test. As I mentioned on Chris's post, the first thing is to check to make sure that the system is properly bled. This should be done with this tool https://anchorexpress.com/products/uflex-portable-hydraulic-purging-system-bubblebuster

That is the tool that we use, per request by Uflex, our pump manufacturer. Also, another thing I mentioned to Chris was to make sure that the fluid in the pumps is not overfilled. The fluid needs to be just covering the gears in each pump. You can check that by removing the cap and looking straight down into the hole. You will see the gears, which should just barely be covered. If you cannot see the gears, the fluid is too high.

Not sure if your boat is a dual helm, but if it is, the pump at the main helm in the cabin should have a vented cap, and the aft helm should not. If you only have one helm, that cap still needs to be vented. Let me know if that helps get you started.

Cheers!

Ralf

Thank you for your quick response. I do have a second helm outside. I do have a vented cap on the inside helm and the fluid is just covering the gears as you described. There was air in the system when I bought the boat and the dealer used the bleed system you described to purge the air from the system. I think the response Chris got from Garmin was blaming the problem on how the pump was mounted.

Eric

Hi Eric,

Understood. One thing though is that you should still have the system bled, as the boat is getting close to four years old and should be checked.

For the Garmin response, please note my response to Chris. First: the pump is mounted horizontally, as both his and your picture prove. Second: Garmin has worked with us directly on that installation to ensure that it meets the operating standards of their products. And third: we have hundreds of boats out in the field with the same installation, yet this has been a limited issue, at best. Your and Chris's cases are the first ones that I have dealt with personally.

The second point is very important. as Garmin had quite a few autopilot pump failure issues several years ago (different failure type) and was very adamant that we work together in designing this installation to ensure it meets their needs. Garmin, in effect, signed off on this.

I'll do what I can to help try and resolve this issue. Garmin does need to dig into this a little deeper to do their part, however. Bear with us and we'll do what we can to get this resolved.

Thanks Eric!

Ralf

Ralf,
I purchased the boat last year and did have the system bled at that time.

Eric.

Hi Eric,

That's fine, but only as long as you are sure that there were no leaks anywhere in the system that could have allowed air bubbles to get into the lines. Have you had the chance to ask Garmin for additional information, in light of what I have provided?

Thanks,

Ralf

Hi Ralf,
Have not made any contact with Garmin. You seemed to have them in the loop with Chris R Cutwater issue. I was waiting to see what your heard from Garmin and their defective pumps. I would also like to know why Garmin does not approve of the way the pumps are installed in the Cutwater’s.
Thanks,

Eric

Hi Eric,

Understood. However, since Garmin will be responsible for any warranty on this (if there is any remaining on your pump, or any other potential source of the problem) you will need to get them involved to ensure they are aware of this before any remaining warranty expires. Hope that makes sense, but please reach out to them to put this on their radar screen.

As to whether Garmin "does not approve" of the way these pumps are installed in our boats: as I mentioned before, they do approve of how they are installed and signed off on our installation procedure when we were still using these pumps. (we no longer do as of 2nd half of 2024, as we have switched the AP system to all-electric Yamaha). As I mentioned to Chris, I don't know why the person he was working with at Garmin said that they were installed incorrectly, as they are not. I hate to use the typical customer "call center" support cliche, but that person might not have had the correct information. As I did not speak with this person, I won't make that judgment call and will let Chris decide.

As any further information becomes available, I will share that with you as well. Thanks for your patience in the meantime!

Thank you!

Ralf