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Loss of Jeffa Steering during Newport Bermuda Race

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jracoffman View Drop Down
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    Posted: 26 June 2018 at 16:49
Good news is, I managed to finish the 2018 Newport to Bermuda race on my 2010 Hanse 375, Gemini, and get the boat and my 8 crew safely to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in Hamilton. The bad news is, we experienced significant failure of our Jeffa steering along with some damage to our rudder post in the process.

After 500 miles of ocean racing, including crossing the Gulf Stream, we lost our Jeffa steering while on a close reach in about 20kts of breeze in 3-4ft seas roughly $160nm NW of Bermuda. We immediately went to use the emergency tiller only to find out it wouldn’t fit onto the rudder post due to oxidation and grime on both the tiller and the rudder post. After a fair amount of pounding with a hammer, we eventually got it in and were able to heave-to, then diagnose the problem and begin repairs. At this point, I noticed that part of the thru-bolt that goes through the rudder post and collar had sheered off.

The loss of steering was due to the tie rod that connects the Jeffa Steering control arm to the rudder quadrant via a stainless steel bushing into the aluminum Jeffa control arm having backed it self out of the control. After taking apart the tie rod, and threading the bushing back onto the control arm, I was eventually able to get it to work. Had we not been racing, we simply could have used the autopilot. We eventually did do that when my temporary repair failed due to forgetting to add a locknut to the bottom of the tie rod at the control arm side.

While we thought we would make able to make repairs ourselves in Bermuda, we found that the bushing won’t stay in the control arm and we need to machine new parts. Additionally, we were unable to tap out the broken thru bolt ourselves. We have now have a local yard in Bermuda trying to work with Jeffa on a solution to fix the steering and to replace the thru-bolt. What a nightmare.

I have raced Gemini hard over the years and always felt she held up well to the forces and loads placed on her. Unfortunately, this proved to be too much, and it appears we have found a latent defect in the design of the steering system.

Curious if other Hanse 370, 375 and 400 owners have run into similar problems with the steering and rudder.
Will attempt to post pics. Fingers crossed the Bermuda yard can get these repairs done swiftly and that the boat can safely delivered back to the US.

Regards,
James Coffman
Gemini (USA 604680)
2010 Hanse 375 (Hull# 644)

James C
Gemini, Hanse 375 #644
USA 60468
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jracoffman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jracoffman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 June 2018 at 17:09



First picture is the tie rod that conntects the rudder quandrant to the Jeffa Steering control arm. Turn the wheel, and the arm turns. It was the large bolt that backed out of the control arm.

Second picture is the rudder post, where you can see that the thru bolt had sheered off the end.

Edited by jracoffman - 26 June 2018 at 17:11
James C
Gemini, Hanse 375 #644
USA 60468
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jracoffman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jracoffman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 June 2018 at 17:12


Another close up of the rudder post and the end of the thru bolt that sheered off.

Next pic is of the tie rod that was replaced by my yard this spring. Notice the wear on the one side where the bolt that goes into the control arm was eating into aluminum.

Edited by jracoffman - 26 June 2018 at 17:26
James C
Gemini, Hanse 375 #644
USA 60468
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mopoulter View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mopoulter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 June 2018 at 19:14
Thanks for the pics I will inspect mine Friday before an overnighter on the lake 
 
 
mp

Hanse 370 #416

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