New to us...El Grande Chancho... 3607aft

[waybomb]

Great story.
Welcome aboard!

[km1125]

Congrats!!

I have an older version ('83) of the same boat and have enjoyed it for many years. In your description you didn't include the one very unique feature... A TUB!! (not that you could really use it though!)

Curious what happened on your steering and if you have a dual station. What did it take to complete your trip?

[kamakazerc]

Hi KM. So, what happened with the helm issue was, that the upper helm was leaving hydrolic fluid. Yes I do have dual helms, but they both work off the same hydrolic system and reservoir , so all steering was compromised. So when we made port, I tore down the upper helm pump, very carefully....which is part of the shaft assembly. Looked it over to find that the final seal nearest the steering wheel, had failed. Well, of course no proper parts were available. So I mcgyvered it. Went to an auto zone, found a oring seal kit for something, that had what I thought may work . Came back and just piggybacked the bad seal. Reassembled. Refilled an pressurized the fluid resevoir. And by George, it worked. And is actually still is working! I found and ordered the correct seals and have them ready for this season.
So just shows, with a little enginuity, you can almost always make it to home port...!!!!

[Viper]

Source of the post..,... seal nearest the steering wheel, had failed....

Pretty common failure point. Glad you got her going. Sounds like it was an awesome trip.

[ColRon]

Great story and congrats on the latest acquisition!