97 Sport Nautique Rudder issues

Hi guys,
            First of all would liuke to say that this site is a wealth of information, especially for an Aussie guy with a 97` Nautique. There is not much help or even access to parts over here. Anyway i had an issue with my rudder being able to rotate too far, enough to hit the prop. Not major damage, prop needs maching. I puller out the fuel tank and removable floor to look at the problems. I noticed when steering wheel is full lock to starbord the rudder turns fine to lock then you can pull the steering cable clamp a little and id rotates the tiller arm enough that if you turn the wheel to port the rudder continues turning the first way. I disconnected th etiller arm from the cable and the steering is free and easy. The rudder however had vibration too it when rotated. Small slithers of brass came out when i removed the rudder. My question do i need to replaced the steering cable clamp? And how do you suggest i get some packing for the rudder shaft?

I had an older boat (1959 Chris Craft) that used a stuffing box very similar to the one that the proppeler shaft uses. And yes, this type uses the same wax impregnated rope type packing material that propeller shaft packing gland uses. Newer boats (not sure what year this started) use a different type seal for the rudder shaft. It has a plastic or rubber seal (not exactly sure as I've never had one of theses apart) which is encased in a brass or bronze body. It's lubricated via a zirt fitting and a grease gun. Either way, it sounds like your rudder is lacking lubrication and has been for some time.

As far as the rudder turning too far in one direction,.... it sounds like either your cable is grossly out of adjustment or there is a mechanical stop (that limits the amount of rudder turn) that is broken. Starting from the center and using the steering wheel, how far will the rudder turn in the opposite direction?

Aussie,
BLA is your freind in AUS, stores all over the country or online purchase,

Is this the part you are refering to? BLA code 280526,they will have the shaft packing as well.

store locater link here

http://www.bla.com.au/index.php?fn=dealers&dId=1&eId=10&sId=ef51af1e3ddf74a5f1c52332f3390e73

This it? BLA part no 280557

It is Item#2404 on skidim.com

AussieNorts wrote: It is Item#2404 on skidim.com

Thats BLA part no 280538,and if your setup is the same as mine its the wrong part

Ok, i have repacked the rudder and greased the rudder shaft and fitted everything back in, the reason this happened in the first place is because the cable block was grossely out of alignment. I reset everything and all is good. Steering smooth as and wheel is centred now. Just have to reinstall the fuel tank and all is good. DavidF can you recommend a prop (size&pitch) for a sport nautique 97` i use it to wakeboard and therefore weigh the boat down a bit. I was looking for hole shot and fuel economy. I would like to say again this site is great! would never have attempted this job without the reference of this website, now i am not scared to try other stuff.

I wakeboard exclusively, with about 1984 lbs of weight in the boat and two people. I have a PCM 351 GT-40 310 HP with a 1:23/1 transmission. So what do you think with that info? I appreciate this.

Tim:

Thanks for bailing me out on this one, I have no clue about wakeboarding and/or props for same.