monfried
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2017
- Messages
- 28
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-302 SC
- Hull Identification Number
- FLMT3117K021
- Vessel Name
- The Lovely Martha
Learned a good lesson yesterday about adding hydraulic steering fluid, a tip that'll likely be a "duh" to most TugNuts and DIY'ers.
On a 25 mile cruise with a bunch of other boats yesterday, it became quickly obvious that my 2017 RT29CB needed steering fluid added (steering required near-continuous wheel pressure to starboard). Upon arrival at our destination, I opened the cap behind the wheel at the main helm - and the fluid level was plentiful. Mentioned this to a fellow cruiser, who took one look at the topside helm and said, "Always start at the highest point!" And, of course, the steering fluid level at that helm was very low.
In addition, he made sure that my wife and I turned the wheel at each helm (first upper, then lower) many times to clear any air pockets in the line. We kept turning them from extreme left to extreme right until there were only six or so turns possible in each direction. The air bubbles were released back into the fluid filling hose after the fluid bottle was lowered below the wheel so no additional fluid was flowing.
On a 25 mile cruise with a bunch of other boats yesterday, it became quickly obvious that my 2017 RT29CB needed steering fluid added (steering required near-continuous wheel pressure to starboard). Upon arrival at our destination, I opened the cap behind the wheel at the main helm - and the fluid level was plentiful. Mentioned this to a fellow cruiser, who took one look at the topside helm and said, "Always start at the highest point!" And, of course, the steering fluid level at that helm was very low.
In addition, he made sure that my wife and I turned the wheel at each helm (first upper, then lower) many times to clear any air pockets in the line. We kept turning them from extreme left to extreme right until there were only six or so turns possible in each direction. The air bubbles were released back into the fluid filling hose after the fluid bottle was lowered below the wheel so no additional fluid was flowing.