Rudder/Steering concerns 2004 SV211 Limited

[beamons]

I am a new Nautique Owner, I purchased a 2004 SV211 back in the beginning of July. I looked the boat over and even had the Nautique dealer(Consignment sell) do an inspection of it. Being new to v drive world, I didn't look very closely at the area around the rudder and prop(shame on me) . We have been really enjoying it skiing, wakeboarding, surfing and tubing. Trouble started when I realized it is kinda hard to steer and started looking into it if it was normal. I found on the forums that the steering cable is often an issue so I started preparing to replace it. While inspecting everything, I was checking around the rudder and noticed some spider cracks around it. I then started looking at the alignment of the rudder and to me it looks a bit out. Does this look normal and like I suspect, how do I fix this?

[charlesml3]

OK, I'm sorry to say this, but this is not good. Someone hit something. Pretty hard too because it isn't easy to bend a rudder shaft. Photo 2 really shows this. See that gap between the rudder and the hull? It should be the same front to back. The rudder in this boat is clearly bent back which explains why it's tough to steer.

At a minimum, the rudder will have to be replaced. There's no bending them back. The spider-web cracking doesn't seem too bad, but you need to have the rudder stuffing box and surrounding fiberglass inspected. There may be additional repairs needed there.

-Charles

[beamons]

Thank you for the quick response! That is what I thought. So the spider-web cracking doesn't look too bad? I was really worried about it. I will have it inspected and repaired if needed. I have read a lot about re-stuffing the box and replacing the rudder. I think I can handle that. I have a trip coming up at the end of the month do you think I need to get it all repaired before then? I don't mind the steering for a few more weeks while the season is about to close for me.

[wakejunky]

You'll have to look for any damage from the inside, gelcoat is really only a few millimeters thick. To repair will require pulling the rudder port and grinding out all the affected area and re-gelcoating. But, looking at the rudder, it does look bent and I'd venture to guess probably compromised, check for cracking on the shaft.

[charlesml3]

Thank you for the quick response! That is what I thought. So the spider-web cracking doesn't look too bad?

No, it doesn't look bad but that doesn't mean there isn't any damage in there. You'll need to have this examined very carefully. If you can live with it a few months it probably won't hurt anything.

-Charles

[a0128]

. . . If you can live with it a few months it probably won't hurt anything . . .

Unless your rudder breaks off while you are underway. I wouldn't use it the way it is. Get it fixed properly first, even if it means ending your season early this year.

[Quinner]

I would drop the rudder and bring to your local prop repair guy and see if it is not cracked and can be straightened. Also inspect the port as best you can, tough to tell from the pics but it may be OK. Are you seeing any leaks around the port?? If wheel turns freely once the cable is removed from the rudder you know where your binding was.

[beamons]

So this is bent right?


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[charlesml3]

So this is bent right?

I assume you're being facetious but yea... that's bent pretty far back.

-Charles

[DealsGapCobra]

I'm stunned at how far that is bent.


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