Rudder lost motion R21EC

[shawkemo]

I just purchased a 2008 R21EC, hull FMLT2103F708. The rudder has aprox. 1 1/2" lost motion at outer edge. Can this be reduced and how. Also, I did not receive a boat user manual or wiring diagrams. are these available for older boats?

Thank you
Charlie

 

[baz]

See following

http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=225

http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=39

 

[SGIDAVE]

I just purchased a 2008 R21EC, hull FMLT2103F708. The rudder has aprox. 1 1/2" lost motion at outer edge. Can this be reduced and how. Also, I did not receive a boat user manual or wiring diagrams. are these available for older boats?

Thank you
Charlie

Hello Charlie,

PLease clarify what you mean by "lost motion at outer edge." Are you saying the rudder does not turn or 'rotate' to Port or STB as it normally should? Has this 'lost motion' occurred recently?

Is effort to turn the wheel increased? That is, does the wheel turn easily or does it require significant effort. NOrmally, the wheel should turn easily with minimal to no resistance.

dave

 

[shawkemo]

what is meant by lost motion is looseness between wheel steering and rudder. I can grip the outer edge of the rudder and easily move it approximately 1.5". I have not launched the boat since sea trial but suspect it will cause a over steering condition. Other than above, function appears to be normal and I don't know any history since I just purchased the boat.
Thank you
Charlie

 

[tuggertoy]

Hi Charlie,

I can grab hold of the rudder on my R21 Classic and move the rudder from side to side without too much effort and the boat's wheel follows right along. Are you sure that the rudder is moving and the wheel is not?

I have a push/pull cable linkage for steering on my Classic and there is no adjustment - it either works or it doesn't. I am not aware of any 21 EC's with hydraulic steering but an air leak in a hydraulic helm system might be to blame if in fact the rudder moves but the wheel doesn't or vice versa.

Let us know what you find.

Eric
Tugger Toy
2006 R-21 Classic

 

[shawkemo]

no motion of wheel when moving rudder back and forth 1.5" and same looseness is felt when turning wheel . Boat has single cable steering. rudder to rudder shaft is tight. also checked connection at tiller arm. A parts list or diagram of the single cable steering could be very helpful. The boat is on its trailer in Stuart Florida and difficult to see connections at the tiller arm.
Thank you for your help.
Charlie

 

[SGIDAVE]

no motion of wheel when moving rudder back and forth 1.5" and same looseness is felt when turning wheel . Boat has single cable steering. rudder to rudder shaft is tight. also checked connection at tiller arm. A parts list or diagram of the single cable steering could be very helpful. The boat is on its trailer in Stuart Florida and difficult to see connections at the tiller arm.
Thank you for your help.
Charlie

Hello Charlie,

I'm not at my boat now and can't remember what brand the cable steering we have...if you look at the back of the helm you will see the silverish mechanism to which the steering wheel is connected and the push/pull cable emerges...doing an internets search will probably get you a schematic and probably a manual too.

Anyway, one thought...when you open the little hatch over the rudder shaft...grasp the cable where it attaches to the rudder arm and trace it back to the STB...the cable should be anchored/attached. Tug on things a little and see if the attachment hardware has come loose.

Let us know what turns up,

dave

 

[shawkemo]

Good idea, I will check the cable attachment and see if I can get a name off the steering hardware at helm. I may not get to it till next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thank you
Charlie

 

[shawkemo]

I got aboard today and believe I have identified the problem of " helm lost motion ". First of all, the helm unit is a
UFLEX T71FC single cable unit. I pulled the starboard access cap under the aft locker and reached in and found the cable support bracket loose at the cable grip location. I also found the bracket 3 hole mount was thru bolted on a ledge providing only partial support. We are having 100 deg weather in Stuart Fl and do not intend to launch till mid October so I may not get to the repair soon but now know what to do.
Thanks for your help
Charlie

 

[shawkemo]

Rudder looseness or lost motion was corrected by tightening the large brass captive nut on the cable bracket tube. I had a bit of a problem because the tube clamp bracket was positioned to the far left of the tube end and interfered with tightening, so I needed to reposition the clamp bracket first. I now have slightly less right rudder but no looseness.
Charlie

 

[SGIDAVE]

Rudder looseness or lost motion was corrected by tightening the large brass captive nut on the cable bracket tube. I had a bit of a problem because the tube clamp bracket was positioned to the far left of the tube end and interfered with tightening, so I needed to reposition the clamp bracket first. I now have slightly less right rudder but no looseness.
Charlie

Hello Charlie,

Glad to hear you have fixed your rudder problem. Good work!

dave