Steering issue :(

[KLMartini]

A while back I asked some advice for our hard steering. I lubed and took photos over to have someone look at it and finally decided that we would hire someone to come take a look. While he was troubleshooting, something broke in the steering column and now the entire system needs to be replaced. Sad face.

So Serenity's out of commission until the parts arrive from Seattle and can be installed.

We knew something was wrong and was getting worse and making a popping sound every time we would turn the wheel. I guess it's better that it broke while in the marina and not while we were in the middle of the river.

Lesson learned. When we buy our next boat, we will definitely have someone look her over from top to bottom before buying. If we had done that, it would have saved us a lot of frustration and money. Owning a boat is really a great learning and growing experience!

I wrote a post about the situation on my blog as well, http://martinisserenity.blogspot.com/2012/09/boat.html

Everyone have fun sailing this weekend! I'll be doing yard work I guess!

Kathryn

[Catigale]

Things that break in the marina dont count...

Next time you buy a boat you will be empowered and knowledgeable enough that you can do the assessment yourself, you will find..

The steering gear replacement is no big deal...hour or two tops.

I'm away from my boat in prime fall sailing season at moment, which normally would be a but since I'm spending my 25th with the Admiral in Rome......

[KLMartini]

Oh Rome? Yes, that may be a bit nicer than sailing!

Happy Anniversary!

[Ormonddude]

On older they actually did a update the steering was known to be lite duty (now about replacing in a hour or two)? UM thats not going to happen LOL get the updated system from BWYachts.com and take your time you have to remove the pedestal in most cases so you dont damage other wiring and engine cables and feed the new cable from the back to the front up through the tightly packed 2" hole that holds all the helm connections. then reassemble everything. Took me about a day but I did the throttle and shift cable and new Main power line as well. so maybe you can do it in like a half a day? It will depend on your skill level.

[kmclemore]

I'm away from my boat in prime fall sailing season at moment, which normally would be a but since I'm spending my 25th with the Admiral in Rome......

What the heII are you doing on here, Steph?!?! You best get your bunns back to that lady and stay off the net!

Surely the two of you can find better things to do in Italy than cruise The Mac forum... if not, PM me and I'll give you a few pointers from the old master....

[Catigale]

...tucked in bed, too much Chianti....

[Catigale]

Kathryn..urgent...

Just read your blog...marina yard work rate is something like 100 bucks an hour

Replacing steering system on an is a

Parts 200 USD ( I've recalled quotes of 130 bucks here)
Labour 8 hours ( using estimates above)

Total 1000 USD tops.....does that mesh with your quote?

Disclaimer...I'm totally wasted on good Chianti...

[KLMartini]

He quoted me $314 for parts and 2-3 hours for labor at $60/hour.

[Erik Hardtle]

I have an extra used Rotary steering system with new 12 foot cable if your boat has the Rotary instead of the Rack system.

You can have it for shipping costs if you need it.

I have replace mine twice on my own, and just converted to the Rack system steering.

[kmclemore]

He quoted me $314 for parts and 2-3 hours for labor at $60/hour.

Please film him doing a complete steering change on a Mac in 2-3 hours. This I gotta see. Stop motion would be fun.

I'm a darn good mechanic (ask Steph) and I wouldn't be able to do it properly in less than 5... it's a beast of a job, and needs two guys for parts of it. Don't know about the parts prices... if it's cables plus steering bits in the head, perhaps?

[KLMartini]

I have no idea what knd it is. I'm going to have to plead complete ignorance here and hope for the best. He came highly recommended and has been repairing boats since 1972.

Fingers crossed.

[Catigale]

.....okay I figured out what had me freaked....a boat buck is a 1000 USD, so I was reacting to your 5 boat buck blog quote...

500 is much more in line...but gotta agree with KMac on the hours....if its complete cable plus head replacement....might want to brace yourself for an extra couple hours on that job...I thought on some models there was a cable only replacement that was easy, but replacing the whole thing is a chore...

....watching out for you, K......

..these boats dont nibble you to death, they are quite cheap to fix in the scheme of things.....we least saved you 150 bucks off a bilge pump!!!

[KLMartini]

Ha sorry! I thought it was $100/$1!

Yes, thanks for saving me the bilge pump $

[kmclemore]

Ha sorry! I thought it was $100/$1!

Yes, thanks for saving me the bilge pump $

I'm with you... I always thought a 'boat buck' was $100! (i.e. 10x a normal dollar)

[trdprotruck]

I replaced my original steering on the with a rotary system and it was a piece of cake! It shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. From what I gather, most people purchase the factory length steering cable, but that makes it a bear to install because of the tight bends to make it work. I think the tight bends may also contribute to steering failure and extra slop from premature wear. I opted to go for an extra long cable and the gentle bends made it a super easy install. The only alteration I had to make was to enlarge the hole in the binnacle.

-Randy