Steering issues on 4600SCB - Maxum Boat Owners Club

Beefmaster · 05-29-2016, 06:08 PM

Typically when both engines are running it takes five turns to go from end to end to steer the boat. When I had my starboard engine shut down last year I noticed I had to turn the wheel about 20 times to get it to turn. I figured there was a pump or something powering the hydraulics on that side. Virtually impossible to control at slow speeds. Yesterday my port engine overheated so I shut it down and same thing as last time, I have virtually no steering with only one engine. The wheel just keeps turning. I checked fluid level and it was OK. Kind of defeats the "safety factor" of having two engines to limp in with if I cannot steer if one is out. I would think the steering would be independent so I may have another issue that causes it but it has only happened when one engine was off. Any ideas?

mmwjr · 05-29-2016, 10:51 PM

With that boat you have rudders which are controlled by hydraulic steering and not power assist like I/Os so should not be engine defendant. Air in the system low fluid level may be the issue. Also did you check the linkage to the rudders? I have see the tie rods between then get play and the rudders get out if sync of each other.

Beefmaster · 05-30-2016, 02:20 AM

Thanks Mike. I will give it a good look when I go back down to the boat next week and bleed the lines. Just weird that it has only happened twice and both times was when I only had one engine running.

mmwjr · 05-30-2016, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefmaster

Thanks Mike. I will give it a good look when I go back down to the boat next week and bleed the lines. Just weird that it has only happened twice and both times was when I only had one engine running.

What power does the boat have and is it equipped with v drives?

Beefmaster · 05-30-2016, 05:09 AM

It has Cummins 370's with ZF transmissions. They are not V-drive.

mmwjr · 05-30-2016, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefmaster

It has Cummins 370's with ZF transmissions. They are not V-drive.

So straight shafts. Steering any twin engine boat with only one engine running always results in hard to compensate steering as the thrust of the running engine is hard for the rudders to compensate for.

dbriceno · 05-30-2016, 09:54 PM

Any chance your auto pilot was on. That would kill your steering

Beefmaster · 05-31-2016, 02:45 AM

No I do not have auto pilot on mine. However, I am sure that definitely would have an impact on the steering. Thanks for the input.

Beefmaster · 06-14-2016, 10:22 PM

The issue with my steering was air in the line. I added fluid and the steering returned to normal. Thanks to all that gave me input.

mmwjr · 06-15-2016, 02:20 AM

Glad you fixed it and thanks for posting the solution.

Flightlevel · 08-04-2016, 06:33 PM

I lost the starboard engine over the 4th July weekend on my 46 SCB. It handled as expected on one engine. It sounds like your hydraulic steering is unit wearing out. It's probably leaking by internally when working against one engine.
I just rebuilt mine with a complete seal kit I purchase on line. So far it's doing great.