[PUP] Emergency tiller

Wed Mar 19 19:46:40 EDT 2008

Dear Scott:

I'm sorry if I offended you but when we noted the following statement in your
postings we recognized that something is wrong with your specific boat and
that you are incorrect in your presumption about the hull being unstable due
to the Maintenance Strakes.

You write:

The boat, with the fins off and pinned wanders all over the sea like a sailor
on shore leave in the Roja district.

My 40' Nordhavn won't go 100 yards in a straight direction.  It never steers a
set course without constant input from the autopilot or helm.  This is not a
function of the stabilizing fins, it does it with our without the fins active.
I suspect the hull is unstable due to the "maintenance strakes" that give you
the wonderful walk around in the engine room, a good compromise overall.

I have seen problems associated with air in the steering system for years on
all of our models. On the first Nordhavn 46 we were completely dumbfounded by
the symptoms of air and were temporary terrified that the fundamental design
of the 46 was flawed. Hand steering the boat was very disconcerting with a
severe lack of control. As described in yesterdays email the effect of air in
the system will cause real control problems contrary to some of the opinions
offered by your friends.

Well obviously the problem with the first 46 was diagnosed - the system bled
(it took numerous tries), the handling settled down and the boat (over 80
built) went on to develop a reputation for excellent handling and steering
qualities. You will note that the 46 has finer lines than does the 40 and her
stern is very rounded at the waterline. The 40 has a much fuller stern
sections than the 46, carries her weight much better, steers just as well down
swell, pitches less up swell and has a better ride at anchor. The 40 is
slightly less efficient (relatively) due to the fuller hull sections and
broader stern.

I suggest that you take a close look at the steering system and make sure you
have no air trapped within it. Contrary to other opinions I have seen posted -
having a consistent 30 lbs of air within the air reservoir does not mean your
system if free of air - the pressure will help but you must remember that the
systems operates at pressures in excess of 1,000 lbs and it's possible that
air is compressed within the system but still causing steering problems. Bleed
it exactly per Hynautic's recommendation - we've tried to vary from those
directions and have found that the process cannot be varied. One more thing -
I understand that after you bought the boat you added another autopilot pump.
If the autopilot is mounted in such a way that any of the hoses or the pump
itself creates a high spot in the system - then air can get trapped and normal
bleeding may not be enough to eliminate it.

Regarding your specific questions:

A.    No answer requested

B.    I've addressed this above

C.    Paravanes were only used in the roughest of conditions or when the fins
were in-op. Paravanes do help with steering in very rough weather but the boat
does fine without them. Your condition of wandering in flat water while hand
steering with fins centered and pinned would not be helped with Paravanes.

D.    I hand steered our 40s many, many times but made the point that we never
had to due to rough weather. It's not uncommon with a boat with bad steering
qualities to overwhelm the autopilot under even moderate down swell conditions
- with hand steering a necessity.

In any case - if you cannot successfully bleed the steering system we can take
a look at it when you arrive in Stuart for you window repair. John Hoffman -
our service manager is very familiar with the process.

Best regards,

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: passagemaking-under-power-bounces at lists.samurai.com
[mailto:passagemaking-under-power-bounces at lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of
Scott E. Bulger
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 5:07 AM
To: Passagemaking Under Power List
Subject: Re: [PUP] Emergency tiller

Now let's get one thing straight.  I'm not condemning my boat to the world,

I have said OVER and OVER "I LOVE my Nordhavn 40".

A.  I have acknowledged in my postings that it's my PERCEPTION based on my

experience that it wanders a lot.  This is based on other boats I've owned.

When Peter P. said he has operated 40's and they have not been any better or

worse than other boats, that was very valuable feedback, and helps me modify

my perception.

B.  I did install a secondary autopilot and did introduce air in the system.

I did follow the manufactures bleeding process.  There is less than 1 inch

of play in the system, I can't tell you if thats normal or not?

C.  I have seen the video of the boat running downswell in the med.  Didn't

you have paravanes out during those storms?  My boat doesn't have paravanes,

only TRAC fins.  I believe the paravanes improve downswell tracking, but my

lack of experience here leaves me in a poor position to state it as fact.  I

can tell you when we broached the boat enter Puesta del Sol it wasn't

because of a lack of steering input on my part.

D.  If your not hand steering how would you experience the minor wandering

I'm describing?  It's only experienced when hand steering, otherwise the AP

take care of it with a bump to the left, a bump to the right a bump to the

left, on and  on and on and on.

Jim, I sense you think I'm bashing the boat or PAE.  This forum is a place

for open and honest exchange of information.  I'm simply relating my

experience.  If you or any representative or the company would like to take

a look at the boat and tell me if it's performing normally I'd welcome the

interaction.  The only time someone from PAE has been on the boat was during

the sea trial and offshore delivery and I operated the boat 99% of the time.

I'm going to be in Stuart FL to have the paint repaired, this would be a

good time to have someone look at it.  Thanks!  Scott

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