A couple preparing to splash in questions

[MarCur]

I am on the hard in Leesburg, NJ, preparing to splash for our summer slip in Cape May in a couple of weeks. My first question is how the heck do you get anything done at the marina in the spring? Now I am new owner of a 2013 RT31CB, so I am not used to this. Every car that drives by slows or stops to look at the boat. 1/2 of those, roll down the window and say something like I love your boat, or we are just admiring your boat. and 1/2 of those step out of their vehicle, and invite themselves on a tour. While I love hearing all the positives and showing off "the MarCur", I have work to do! 😀

My 2nd question is technical. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed some oil at the lower helm. It was not there last fall, and I did not notice it during my visits during the winter, but I could have missed it. I could not see the actual leak, but appears to be behind the wood, and most probably the Uflex lower helm pump. I determined that by searching this site and confirming my thoughts. Some comments said their leak was slow, mine was too. I went down earlier this week, and the leak stopped. I planned to add oil (at the upper helm) today. Before adding oil, I attempted to turn the top steering, and it did NOT turn the rudder. If I understand the fluid flow properly, a lower leak could empty the upper helm. IS THAT CORRECT? Since I do not see any other leak, except the leak behind the wood, I am assuming if I replace the lower pump, and refill, I should be good. I cannot determine my Uflex helm pump model. Is there any way to find out? My boat has autopilot, if that matters. Am I on the right track?

Thanks!

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

For your first question consider pulling into your slip, instead of stern in. You may or may not be able to do this based on your marina dockage setup but if you can you’ll find you’ll have a bit more privacy which means you might be able to get more work completed.

Jim F

 

[Martin610]

It's amazing how much attention these boats can attract. Mine is a 2013 like yours. People still stop and look, and talk. And talk. This year the marina had my boat right in front of the office. I couldn't do anything. Since I'm retired I did everything in the middle of the week.

There is a new Cutwater in my marina this year. I'm hoping he gets all the focus now.

-martin610

 

[MarCur]

@trailertrawlerkismet @Martin610. Thanks for commenting! It is a fun issue to have. Lol. I am on the hard now, and parked at the entrance gate....

I am hoping someone has the model of the uflex at the lower helm. I need to get it on order...

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[Ralf H]

Hi MarCur,

One thing to make sure you do is to pull all of the helm wheels through (fully turn from port to starboard, several times) to make sure the fluid is able to work through the system and to potentially remove any bubbles (and allow them to travel to the top inside the helm pumps into open air) This should resolve the issue with your upper helm.

As for the leak, this could be anything from the cap venting over time to the pump body having a leak at the seal. You will still need to check the fluid level at each pump to ensure it is at the proper level. For proper filling, make sure that the fluid simply covers the top of the gears that you can see if you sight down into the top of the pump after removing the cap. You do not want to fill it beyond that. Once you have the proper fluid levels and worked the fluid through by turning each helm from stop to stop several times, you should know if there are any larger issues. Leaks should be evident shortly after doing this.

I do not have the part number for your pump, as my records do not go back that far, but in 2014, the part number for the pump was UP28FM by Uflex. Yours most likely is still that same part number, but you would need to check with them to be sure. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ralf

 

[Cutwater28GG]

as Ralf says, the oil is likely the uflex helm oil. it can either be coming from the vent cap not being tight/rubber perished, or a more fundamental failure of the gasket in the main housing. its a common failure and requires replacement.

Ive found the Uflex team very helpful on the phone.

 

[MarCur]

Thanks for the last couple of replies. I was in a hurry to repair it, as I am splashing in Saturday, so I made the assumption the lower helm pump failed, and I replaced it with the UP28FM. I called Fluid Motion and Ray was fantastic! While he admitted his data was not great, he was able to find the Uflex P/N and even sent me the recommended spare parts list for my 31!

When I removed the pump, I was hoping to see a gaping hole where the oil came from so I could be sure I found my issue, but I didn't.lol It was wet, and I am fairly certain it was the mid-pump seal, but time will tell, I did read a bunch about bleeding the steering on this site and on The Hull Truth, I used the single-person method with a line from the 2 bleeders to a tee at each helm fill port. It took me a while, but I think the air is all out. I have tested both helms and autopilot several times, and all seem smooth. I guess I will find out on Saturday!

A question to ease my mind: If the lower helm seal failed, and oil leaked out, could air enter the system and end up at the upper helm? causing me to lose steering up there? I am just not sure how it is all plumbed in...

Thanks again

 

[Cutwater28GG]

if you have bled the system and all the plugs are in you should be good to go.

I have to tackle this job this year. Sigh.