21ec steering

[Pilotnavigator]

While winterizing I was looking at the steering gear at the stern. Working back from the rudder head I followed the cable and found where it goes into a fitting. There is a nut that fits around the cable, on my boat it was back off and almost loose on the cable. I hand tightened it and will torque it up some more in the spring. Please check yours too.

 

[Stevan47]

Hi there: Funny you should mention that. The same thing happened to me a couple of years ago. My R21-EC is a 2009/2010 model which I purchased from the dealer, as a demonstrator, at the local boat show in 2013. Being an ex-Navy Marine Technician and a frustrated mechanic, I just happened to be checking all the systems out and opening inspection ports in the aft' storage / fuel tank compartment. On opening the circular hatch leading to the steering compartment below, I shone my torch and inserted a mirror. I too saw that the locking nut on the threaded rod was loose. I have since tightened it and also took photos for future reference. If left unattended this may have caused a steering defect at some stage down the track, with potentially catastrophic consequences if in confined waters underway! It certainly pays to keep looking, tweaking and opening/adjusting things all over the vessel, as vibration and underway movement and flexing can cause things to loosen and/or break. Regards, Stevan

 

[Captain Nice]

Same same on my 2016; felt the loose jam nut first, then got the mirror. In the interest of continuous improvement, the factory ought to consider thread locker on this particular fastener...

CN

 

[Two killicks]

Thank you for sharing this, I will put this on my list of things to do for next spring...

 

[Two killicks]

Just looked at mine, it was loose completely at the bottom of the threaded bolt... I assume that it should be at the top just like on Stevan's picture?

 

[baz]

Just looked at mine, it was loose completely at the bottom of the threaded bolt... I assume that it should be at the top just like on Stevan's picture?

Are you referring to Stevan's picture photo entitled "Steering Gear Compt 1" ?

 

[Two killicks]

Good evening Barry, yes it's the one.