Helm over play

[ronmaloney]

After sailing for many years, this is my first power boat so I’m not familiar with what is normal and what isn’t. My boat is a 2011 R27.
I’ve been trying to figure out when the helm is at Top-Dead-Center (TDC). I’ve taped the wheel at TDC when I was sure the boat was heading in a straight line ( I do this in open water). Then I would make a few turns and the TDC tape could be anywhere from 45° to 90° off of TDC. What is even more confusing is I can not figure out a pattern. This is very frustrating when entering a harbor at low speed because I am continually turning the helm first 90° one way then 90° the other.
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[BB marine]

This is a common issue with hydraulic steering. There is a small amount of fluid that slips past the vanes in the helm pumps. The wheel rarely returns to the same position. Normally approx 4 turns lock to lock in the center of that is rudder straight. You can also install a rudder indicator which will give you a reading of rudder position. After a while of running the boat you will get use to it.

 

[NorthernFocus]

What Brian said...

 

[knotflying]

And once you use autopilot forget about where you marked it. It will never be dead center. Notice that the wheel does not turn when in auto pilot? The only way you will know what direction the rudder is in is if you install a rudder direction indicator. Or look between the space between the swim platform and the stern.

 

[bob daily]

A nice rudder angle indicator can be installed for less than $100, it's one of the best modifications that I've made to my boat,I love it and use it! Easy to install, I got it from Amazon, most will say you don't need one, to that I say you don't need thrusters to dock a boat either! Why Fluid Motions don't install as part of there package baffles me. Bob

 

[YukonRon]

When we got our boat I decided I was going to learn how to tie a fancy turks head knot at top dead centre of the wheel. Fortunately it did not come up to the top of my to-do list before I figured out how useless it would have been. Chalk up one positive for procrastination 🙂

 

[ronmaloney]

Thanks everyone for the feed back. I had seen old post regarding fluid leak but I thought I had excessive play in the helm. Guess not. Bob, do you remember the part # or name of the rudder angle indicator you purchased?

 

[bob daily]

I think it was a Amarine but not sure, if you look on line or on Amazon you will see lots of options, since I was installing on a R21 with a different steering system I had to modify and use the other end of the steering cable, but it works great for me! On your boat you should have enough room to mount the sensor to the tiller and run (one) wire to the rudder indicator the other wires are 12v, power, lights ,and ground, I supplied the power from the key switch so only works when motor is running.
If your boat is like most, there is a extra hole in the tiller that can be used for sending unit. If you look at my photo album you will see my sending unit and the modifications I had to make to get it to work.
And I ran the lights so only on when running lights are on. Good luck with your modification, I'm sure you'll love it! Bob