SO40.3 Heavy Rudder

[msimas]

Hi, my SO40.3 (2006) only when sailing bowline have an abnormal very heavy rudder that increases with inclination. Out of water the ruder, cables system and steering wheels were inspected and no fails were found. what could be the cause? anyone with similar experience? Thank you in advance.

[Don Reaves]

Do you mean to say that when the boat is heeling, it's hard to turn the wheel in order to turn the boat away from the direction of the wind?

If that's the case, it weather helm. The cause is too much sail area for the conditions. The solution is to reef the main sail and maybe also the genoa.

[msimas]

Tank you Don, understand what you mean that can occur when we have unbalanced sails and a rudder water friction. Is not the case. With balanced sails and stable bow the rudder gets abnormal heavy when sailing bowline and more heavier with inclination. Should use WD40 compound at rudder bearings?

[Charlie-Bravo]

Does the heavy feel happen evenly on both tacks?
Steering gear having been inspected but, cables that are adjusted a bit tight may be the cause as the rudder will be attempting to stretch one cable whilst sailing well, even with reasonably balanced sails some stretch will occur, if there is not enough slack in the cable the forces will transfer to your rudder bearings making things feel stiff. Too slack a cable can cause the cable to jump off a quadrant in heavy weather, too tight equals heavy steering, so worth a double check.

WD40 is not a lubricant, a ptfe spray might be a better lube.

CB

[msimas]

Thank you Charlie and yes the heavy feel happen evenly on both tacks. I will re-check the cables tension. Accordingly to the manufacturer manual the nuts that tension the cables should be tighten by finger pressure only (if to tighten the nuts should not move and correction should be done). I will use also ptfe spray.