After the long process of getting the oil pump fixed, we ran into trouble again. Luckily it happened when we were returning to our harbor.
Il Capitano wanted to practice tight-space harbor maneuvers—quite difficult with the old lady—so practice is, of course, important. While reversing, we heard a horrible sound of metal against metal and lost steering.
It turned out that the rudder had come loose from the actuator and was pressed into the propeller, causing damage to the rudder, steering, and worst of all, the propeller. We have filed the case with the insurance and have approval for the needed repairs. Fingers crossed that the axle hasn’t been damaged.
The root cause was poor craftsmanship in the assembly and mounting of the actuator and rudder axis.
All in all, we were lucky to discover this under safe conditions. And more we lear befor the next big trip the better.