Hardy Owners Club Forum

Navigator steering

From Barry Parker (No. guest) 19 Jan 08

We have a 1993 navigator and would like to know if any members have had steering failure with these boats ,why i am asking this is that the 18ft boat next to me (not a hardy i might add)had total failure with his steering which is similer system to ours which made me think ,as failure at 16to 18 knots does not bear thinking about .I wondered if the wear can be checked or is it a sealed system.I would appreciate any feedback on this subject.

Barry

It is likely that both these steering systems are the teleflex cable style. A simple but reliable steering method.

I had a steering failure a few years back but it was only because the steering was forced further than it would go. It was human error. The person I was with didn't realise the outboard was hard over and lent on the wheel the 'wrong' way. The plastic housing behind the wheel gave way. The cable itself was fine, even though it was 15 years old.

Personally, I am not concerned about the cable steering set up. A visual check is always a good idea.

The teleflex cables get stiff over time but are very reliable. There may be scope to lube the cable inner but I doubt it. You can certainly keep the open end at the outboard greased. The connection of the cable to the outboard is by nut and bolt so should be strong. It is worth checking here also.

The other type of steering system is hydraulic. Much less common on small boats but also very reliable if looked after. These are good with larger power outboards as they will be less prone to 'feedback' from the motor. A lot more expensive too.

I have been reading boat magazines for years and can't recall any failures.

Im glad you brought this up as I have just upgraded to a Pilot. I will give the cable steering a once over.

Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy and Barry

Note of caution. There is one notable potential failure point on the teleflex/morse system and its the helm end itself. This is notable in the wooden wheels/helms that were attached to Navigators and Pilots as standard.

We had a failure of our steeering many moons ago, thankfully whilst berthing.

Basically, the plastic insert behind the wooden wheel of the helm and failed. Generally being made of nylon plastic it is a key-shaped insert that effectively locks the helm's planar movement to the vertical axis of the teleflex cable end.

So in short, check it yearly at least. Take the wheel off and dismantle back to the cable end protruding through the bulkhead, checking particularly for fractures or stess wear in the plastic insert.

Maybe we were unlucky but when you dismantle the wheel unit you will see this little piece of plastic gets a lot of use and everything literally hinges on it!

Best wishes

Dominic and Nicola.

Thank you fellow members for that information ,Lady Alice is coming out of the water tomorrow so i will check the steering wheel end as recommended as i have a wooden wheel.

Barry

Hi to Barry Parker, Andy Mcmullen, and Dominic & Nicola Gribben

Only just come across your respective comments from Jan 2008 regarding steering problems. My observations may nevertheless be of some interest to others.

I have had a Family Pilot since 1993 and suffered steerage failure a few years back with the original Morse/teleflex type cable. This again was at least partly due to 'human error' in that it occurred whilst beaching. Having ascertained from the chart a suitable sandy cove in which to carry out this manoeuvre, the skeg on the bottom of my 90hp Evinrude made fairly forceful contact, while engaging the power trim, with a large boulder, the only one on that beach, it later transpired! This caused one of the cables to snap, and totally lose all steering, although the engine itself remained fully operational.

Lessons learnt:

(1) Absolutely no substitution to studying a proposed beach landing at LOW TIDE before putting into practice.

(2) Subsequent cable replacement showed that over the years there had been some corrosion of the inner core, despite there having been a yearly inspection by marine engineers (over 14 years) whilst serving the power unit.

Best Wishes to All

Brian

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