R21-EC Rudder Stuck

[tjcouch]

I take my boat out, at the least, weekly. Year 'round.

Much to my surprise when backing her out of the lift cradle today, and setting the rudder hard over to manage the current in the river, the rudder locked in the hard-to starboard position.

The wheel could not move the rudder.

A dock pole pushing on the rudder when an assistant moved the wheel could not move the rudder.

A person in a kayak with both hands on the rudder (as the boat was out of the water in the cradle) with an assistant turning the wheel could not move the rudder.

Has anyone experienced this? This is out of the blue. Use the boat all the time.

 

[Levitation]

Never had an R21 but I would look into the stern locker and see if something is jamming the rudder horn.
If you can't see for sure remove the pivot bolt on the rudder horn and see if the rudder will wiggle.
If it does not wiggle the rudder shaft is galled/frozen.
If does wiggle then you need work your way up to to the helm one shaft/bearing/gearbox at a time until you find the frozen component.
My #1 bet is something has rolled around and is jamming the rudder horn.
My #2 bet is the gear box on the helm wheel froze up.
After that all bets are off :mrgreen:

 

[IvanGuzman]

Hello,

Have you by any chance removed the cable from the rudder? that way you can check if the problem is the cable or the rudder and I'm sure you should be able to move it without being attached to the rudder. Let us know how it goes.

thanks,

 

[bob daily]

If it's the cable I have one in my shop that I removed when installing a second helm station. If you need it let me know and ill put it in the mail. Bob

 

[tjcouch]

Just to close this out for the good of the order.

The problem was the cable. The cable output shaft bent and wedged itself stuck.

I ordered a replacement from Amazon as recommended after a conversation with the Ranger Tugs parts rep. $120.

Ultraflex Uflex M66X17

(Thanks Bob for your post - I was about to take you up on your kind offer until I saw how affordable the replacement was - and they are made just 40 miles away from me in Sarasota, FL., with free 2-day delivery.)

Running the new cable was not too bad with a chase tape. I left the old cable in-place, as it is secured in the gunwale by straps that are inaccessible.

Switching the new cable into the mounting clamp/bracket was a bit of a chore, and uncomfortable - there is no way to see what you are doing, other than a small inspection mirror and by touch, and by sticking your arms through the two inspection hatches that are located in the stern bench compartment. But I got it done, about a 3 hour project, with only minimal blood loss from my knuckles.