C30 turns to port over 1200 RPM

[jonheath54]

I discovered today that when steering manually (e.g. not using auto pilot) that my 2018 C30 S slowly turns to port and I have to keep correcting by turning the helm to the right. Someone told me it was because the rudder is slightly off-center of the boat. Of course, it keeps a straight course when on auto pilot but it must be working constantly to overcome this issue. Can someone please confirm that this is in fact a design flaw or is there something else for me to check beside the hydraulic fluid in the steering {which was fine)?
Thanks,
Jon Heath

 

[Kevin Lamont]

I discovered today that when steering manually (e.g. not using auto pilot) that my 2018 C30 S slowly turns to port and I have to keep correcting by turning the helm to the right. Someone told me it was because the rudder is slightly off-center of the boat. Of course, it keeps a straight course when on auto pilot but it must be working constantly to overcome this issue. Can someone please confirm that this is in fact a design flaw or is there something else for me to check beside the hydraulic fluid in the steering {which was fine)?
Thanks,
Jon Heath

Jon,

You can check the autopilot pump to ensure it is not bleeding psi causing it to “wonder”. If you haven’t done this before you can email me and I will send you the info on how to test the pump. There are also lots of variables to this issue you might have, water conditions, wind, currents, fluid level etc. My email is below in my signature.

Thank you,
Kevin Lamont

 

[sjreib]

I have had an identical problem with my 2017 C30CB. Steers fine on auto pilot, but pulls to port on manual steering worsening with increasing speed. I did a sea trial at the rendezvous with a Garmin representative and he believed the Garmin hydraulic pump was not functioning properly. He plans to replace it. Because of the position of the inverter/charger on the C30 the hydraulic lines need to come into the pump from above at a right angle requiring special fittings.
As an aside one of my friends(C28) had his pump replaced at the rendezvous and lost all steering on the way home and had to make his way to the nearest marina using the thrusters to provide steering-Yikes! Hobbled home replacing fluid at the helm as he went.
Garmin rep checked his boat after that and determined it was a defective(leaking) pump. I'm hoping for a better result remembering that better is the enemy of good.

Steve in Edmonds

 

[chronicity]

Had the same problem, but more severe. Garmin replaced the pump and the problem is still there, less severe. The local Garmin rep is working on the issue.