2018 SAN G23 Rattle/Shutter

[zmeans9]

I just purchased a slightly used 2018 SAN G23. When it arrived, I took it out for a rip. The first thing I felt in the steering wheel was a rattle/shutter. I have included a video I took of the noise.

. In other threads, I have read that it could be caused by the prop. The prop *looks* good. Any thoughts?

[kylant]

my new gs22 does the same thing, but also has more of a "knock". i did add some more grease to the end of the rack. pop the cap off and squirt some more in there. turn the wheel back and forth several times, repeat. It may help.
I have also noticed as time has gone on, it has gotten better.
my boat is at the dealer now for the 25 hour service and this is one thing on the list for them to look at

[blueroom]

Check the rudder shaft where it enters the boat. There are two big nuts on it - one thick one to secure the rudder and provide tension, and a thinner one to lock against the thick one and keep things from coming undone. My G23 just had an issue where both came loose and were finger tight. It may or may not be your issue. You can also try to rock your rudder back and forth. There is always a slight rattle that is some small cable play, but you shouldn't be able to move the rudder side to side or front to back. Aside from that very tiny bit of cable play, even a little rocking movement causes issues. Mine started as a bit of a weird clunk/shudder, and then turned into a massive vibration. It was surprising how a slight bit of rudder movement translated into a whole boat shudder - I thought I had ripped the prop apart.

I think this is something that occurs to more people than we think, but it isn't noticeable until things really let loose some. It should be on dealers checklists, but I don't think it is. Once we tensioned mine back up the steering has been super solid.

[kylant]

Check the rudder shaft where it enters the boat. There are two big nuts on it - one thick one to secure the rudder and provide tension, and a thinner one to lock against the thick one and keep things from coming undone. My G23 just had an issue where both came loose and were finger tight. It may or may not be your issue. You can also try to rock your rudder back and forth. There is always a slight rattle that is some small cable play, but you shouldn't be able to move the rudder side to side or front to back. Aside from that very tiny bit of cable play, even a little rocking movement causes issues. Mine started as a bit of a weird clunk/shudder, and then turned into a massive vibration. It was surprising how a slight bit of rudder movement translated into a whole boat shudder - I thought I had ripped the prop apart.

I think this is something that occurs to more people than we think, but it isn't noticeable until things really let loose some. It should be on dealers checklists, but I don't think it is. Once we tensioned mine back up the steering has been super solid.

I have noticed about 1/16" movement in my rudder since day one. wonder if this is the issue

[blueroom]

Depends if it is the rudder moving a little on its regular axis, or a wobble on the rudder shaft.

[zmeans9]

Thank you all for the input. I will put it on the lift this weekend and take a look. Certainly want to find out the issue. I called my dealer and they said it might be loose weights where the steering shaft attaches. I looked and nothing seemed loose.

[kylant]

i checked the rudder play on another boat when I was at the dealer. it moved the same amount as mine.
I wonder if they come a little dry from the factory. I noticed the grease port cap was off after my 25 hour service, I am sure they lubed it. I have to check the invoice.
I have not noticed the clunk/knock/rattle in a long time. Maybe lubing the rudder was the fix??

what type of grease do they use on the rudder?

[charlesml3]

i checked the rudder play on another boat when I was at the dealer. it moved the same amount as mine.
I wonder if they come a little dry from the factory. I noticed the grease port cap was off after my 25 hour service, I am sure they lubed it. I have to check the invoice.
I have not noticed the clunk/knock/rattle in a long time. Maybe lubing the rudder was the fix??

what type of grease do they use on the rudder?

I use whatever lithium grease they have at Lowes. Same grease I use for everything else.

[nyryan2001]

Dinged prop!