Wheel steering on beneteau 2001 411 has friction

[ScottAndSailor]

Hello - We just purchased a 2001 Beneteau 411 and we are checking all of the systems before more sailing with the boat. One item we noticed when we compared the effort to turn the wheel/rudder from another beneteau next to us is that our steering seems to have some friction somewhere and it is more effort to turn the wheel even at the dock. It does work and turn fine. We are suspecting the internal friction lock is partially stuck and we might have to that release. Has anybody else had a whit lock constellation steering wheel that appears to require un necessary friction to steer? It might be more complicated with a rudder bearing or something that requires hauling out.

[Rohan]

Simple solution first - did you try loosening the wheel lock? It's the round hub on the steering wheel that you can loosen or tighten.

Outside of that, it could be the autopilot. Had the same problem on my boat, and it turned out to be that. The typical Raymarine autopilot has a belt inside that wore out after awhile, made it harder to steer even when the autopilot wasn't engaged. Your Beneteau 411 probably has a different kind of autopilot, but the problem may lie in there too.

[ScottAndSailor]

Hi - Thank you for your recommendations. We did loose the steering nut and it is still somewhat hard. It could be the auto pilot but we haven't taken the chain off yet to test that. Can we easily remove the auto pilot and test it without to see if it is the auto pilot.

[hugosalt]

With a new to you boat, suggest a complete inspection condition/tension of steering cable.
Possible the cable is overtightened.
If still problematic after all checked/adjusted suggest disconnecting cable and move rudder
by hand (from water if needed) Could be bent rudder post if still stiff.

[JanH]

The stiff steering could be due to the autopilot clutch not disengaging (taking the chain drive off would identify that), or could also be due to a waterlogged rudder (don't ask how I know....)
_____________________
Jan

[DameGravey]

Not unheard of for corrosion on the lower rudder bearing cage compressing the bearing and binding the rudder post. Pretty common on Jefa systems that have had antifoul with a copper content applied too close to the rudder post.
Good luck Graeme

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by DameGravey

Not unheard of for corrosion on the lower rudder bearing cage compressing the bearing and binding the rudder post. Pretty common on Jefa systems that have had antifoul with a copper content applied too close to the rudder post.
Good luck Graeme

As noted above this is the issue most often, once the obvious steps have been taken to insure the wheel brake and the autopilot have been taken out of the equation.