TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Published 2026-03-17
Have you ever encountered such confusion: the steering gear has been installed correctly, but something still feels wrong when the ship turns? In fact, in many cases, the problem is hidden in the easily overlooked detail of the steering gear degree. As an engineer who has been working hard in the shipbuilding industry for many years, today I am going to talk about this seemingly simple but often overlooked topic.
Simply put, the meaning of the steering gear degree is the maximum angle range that the rudder blade can rotate. This is just like turning the steering wheel when driving a car. The degree of the steering gear determines the angle at which the ship turns left or right. Generally speaking, what we usually call the steering gear degree, such as ±35°, means that the rudder blade can rotate 35 degrees to the left or right from the neutral position.
This value is not set casually, it is directly related to whether your ship can turn flexibly. A cargo ship and a speedboat require completely different degrees of steering gear, just like the turning radius of a large truck and a small car are different.
When choosing the degree of theservo, be sure to avoid the mentality of being greedy for perfection. Many people mistakenly believe that the larger the steering gear, the better. They think that this will make the ship more flexible in turning. However, the actual situation is that when it exceeds a certain range, such an idea will be counterproductive. According to ship design specifications, when the rudder blade angle exceeds 35°, if the angle continues to increase, not only will the steering force not be increased, but resistance will be generated.
You should choose according to the type of ship: ️ For high-speed boats, it is recommended to choose a small angle, so that the steering will be more sensitive; ️ For low-speed and heavy-loaded boats, you can choose a large angle; ️ Fishing boats need to turn frequently during operation, so choose a moderate angle. It is best to consult professional manufacturers at the design stage, and they will give corresponding suggestions based on your ship type.
The degree of the steering gear has a direct and critical impact on the sailing experience. Take an actual case as an example: Last year, a boat owner installed a ±45° steering gear on his small yacht. During the subsequent voyage, when the yacht is traveling at high speed, as long as the steering gear is turned slightly, the hull will shake violently. The shaking was so severe that the passengers on board were frightened. Tracing back to the source, the reason for this situation is that the degree of theservois set too large, resulting in theservobeing overly sensitive.
On the other hand, it won't work if the degree is too small. Tugboats need to frequently turn at large angles when operating in ports. If the steering gear is not strong enough, it may be difficult to berth. Therefore, they must be matched well, just like wearing shoes. If they are too big or too small, they will be uncomfortable. A good fit is the best.
After installing the new servo, I suggest you conduct a simple test: first, turn the helm to the far left position, and then ask the helmsman to mark the actual position next to the servo; then, turn the helm to the far right position, and ask the helmsman to mark the position at this time; finally, measure the angle between the two extreme positions. If the actual degree is smaller than the nominal degree, it is likely that there is an installation problem or the limit setting is not appropriate.
A more professional approach is to use an angle sensor for measurement. Our company will carry out this test every time a ship is delivered, and is committed to accurately controlling the actual degree error within ±1°.
Regular calibration is also crucial. Just like a car's annual inspection, the steering gear's degree also needs to be carefully inspected once a year.
If you notice any abnormality in the steering while sailing, it is likely that there is a problem with the degree setting. Don't panic at this time, you can check in the following order: ️ Carefully check whether the rudder angle indicator is accurate; ️ Carefully check whether the hydraulic system pressure is in a normal state; ️ Confirm whether the mechanical limit is loose.
Common problems generally appear in two places: one is a sensor failure, causing the displayed value to be inconsistent with the actual value; the other is a loose limit bolt, which causes the actual rotation angle to be too large or too small. When encountering these situations, it is recommended to contact a professional service provider, do not debug at will, and always put safety first.
There are many brands of steering gears on the market, but not many truly understand ship matching. I suggest you look for manufacturers that have actual ship application cases. For example, you can search for "professional ship steering gear manufacturer" to see if their official website has technical parameters and successful cases.
High-quality suppliers will often inquire in detail about your ship type, tonnage, speed and other relevant information before quoting. They will not rush to give a quotation directly, but will carefully provide a calculation sheet and clearly explain the specific reasons for recommending this degree.
If you are currently in the selection stage, you may wish to consult with several suppliers and be sure to state your needs clearly so that they can give professional and accurate suggestions based on your situation.
During the actual use of the servo, have you ever encountered any trouble related to the degree of the servo? Is it because I was not sure when I was selecting a model, or did I notice something wrong during actual use? You are welcome to share your experience in the comment area, and let us discuss it in depth and find solutions. If you find these contents useful, remember to like and forward them so that more shipmates can avoid detours!
Update Time：2026-03-17
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