86 Mariner 3697 steering issue

[MrMojoRisin]

Hello,

new owner of a 1986 Carver Mariner that we purchased knowing we had several projects in store for us. Much cosmetic work freshening up the interior, but that is all on the wife's plate until she needs me. So i'm focusing on mechanical things for the time being.

Couple of issues that i need to get squared away... All electronics are MIA... i'm guessing the original owner pulled those before storage every year and the head units all went in a box that sold at the estate sale. Nothing newer was installed, and the 2nd owner managed to back it aground and bent the starboard rudder pretty good. No prop damage, and the rudder shaft appears to be straight with no leaks or cracks in the fiberglass around the rudder shaft. There is a decent gouge in the bulkhead(?) that the shaft runs through, but from i can tell it's not a crack as it doesn't go any deeper and doesn't show on the vertical face of the bulkhead. Couldn't get a great picture of that though. Both rudders still move freely, but the steering ram was (or is) damaged. I"m guessing that is from it hitting, but not 100% sure of that. I'm going to post some pictures if i can figure out how to add them.

Would love to hear anyone elses thoughts on what my best course of action would be. I ran out of time when I was up there so couldn't get down there to pull the cylinder off and the boat is a littel over 2hrs from home, so won't make it back up for a couple weeks.

The mechanic that is going to winterize it this week is going to take a look while he's there and let me know his thoughts. The boat is currently on blocks, on a blacktop parkign lot, so i can easliy drop the rudder shaft right now, but may try to get them to lift it up breifly so we can drop the rudder. I'm assuming a prop shop could heat it up and bend it back for me as a temporary fix.

[waybomb]

The rudder can probably be straightened.
It will have to be removed.
Not sure if you can still get a piston for the hynautic steering cylinder. Or maybe you can find a rebuildable somewhere. Or maybe take the thing to a hydraulic shop. They may be able to piece something together.

[Viper]

I can't tell how much room is below the rudder but you need quite a bit of height to drop it out. Hopefully they took that into consideration when blocking the boat.

[bud37]

Welcome to the forum......be sure to inspect that area around the rudder support closely to be sure there is no glass damage from the force that bent the rudder.

[km1125]

When you're putting it back together, remember there's an alignment to the tie bar. The rudders aren't perfectly parallel, there's some 'toe-in' to them. I have the specs for a 3607 and I'd bet yours would be similar if not exactly the same.

[MrMojoRisin]

Source of the post When you're putting it back together, remember there's an alignment to the tie bar. The rudders aren't perfectly parallel, there's some 'toe-in' to them. I have the specs for a 3607 and I'd bet yours would be similar if not exactly the same.

That’s good info… where would I find those specs for my boat.. I didn’t see them on my first look through the owners manual. Any info would be greatly appreciated.