practicalboatowner · video

What this video covers

Remote-control outboard steering on a RIB seized at midnight in a shipping lane after weeks of disuse, forcing an emergency return to shore.0:09 The cause: a blocked grease nipple on the steering rod that prevented grease from reaching one end of the rod, leaving it dry despite the owner believing it was maintained.3:03 The fix involves tilting the trailer to clear the skeg, dropping the engine to its down position, and accessing two grease nipples hidden under the engine in the up position.1:44 Blocked nipples are cleared with WD-40 sprayed directly into the fitting, then flushed before fresh grease is applied.3:28 A Machine Mart three-way slide grease gun loaded with a pre-filled cartridge is used to re-grease the nipples; the cartridge method is recommended for limited storage situations.4:21 Lithium grease, which repels water, is used throughout, including manual application to exposed leg fittings.6:31 The practical lesson: if a boat sits unused for any period, the steering rod needs greasing on return, and a blocked nipple can give a false sense of adequate maintenance while the rod runs dry.

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