Steering tightening on Oceanis 42 CC

[Mark P]

I am experiencing problems when beating close to the wind the steering becomes incredibly stiff. I had the lower bearing on the rudder replaced last year and have not done a huge amount of sailing this year. I believe it is causing the autopilot to trip. Checking the rudder post it looks like the rudder is not all the way down on the bush and is being held up by the hydraulic steering, does anyone have a similar experience or does someone have the Beneteau drawing for the rudder arrangement copy would be greatly appreciated and then I can investigate further

[Dean]

I have no experience with the 42CC. But my Oceanis 50 also has the rudder clear of the top bush. Except when it's out of the water! The rudder floats which lifts the whole assembly away from the bush. Not much help but at least you should eliminate the bush issue from the equation. I assume the the thrust bearing was put back in when the lower bearing was replaced. It looks like a big plastic washer it's really loose and sloppy and when the boat is out of the water does nothing, when the boat is back in and the rudder floats up into position it then becomes the thrust washer to stop the rudder rubbing the hull. From memory the gap I have at the  top bush is about 5 or 6mm.