1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

[muszynskir]

2nd yearI've had the boat and we put it in the water for the season. First trip out and the steering had a different feel. At slow speeds (less than 10MPH) everything appears normal. As speed increases it becomes increasingly difficult to turn right and keep the boat moving in a straight line is a challenge. On a plane it's impossible to turn to the right...but a sharp turn to the left is very responsive.

I've checked the prop and lower unit for damage and trim tabs are both in their full up position. Little kicker motor was in the water several inches but is now fully out of the water. Moving the outboard side-to-side at idle is no problem. I'm really puzzled on this one and appreciate any advise.

1993 Bayliner Class 2225
Mercruiser 4.3L IO (GM V6)
TIA!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

sounds like bad cable.

 

[achris]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

Sounds more like the trim tab is out of adjustment! That's the little 'fin' just above the prop, on the underside of the cav plate. It's also a sacrificial anode.

Chris.........

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

Sounds more like the trim tab is out of adjustment! That's the little 'fin' just above the prop, on the underside of the cav plate. It's also a sacrificial anode.

Ayuh,....

Loosen it up,+ turn it to the right.....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

Both things could be the culprit.

Just for the heck of it you have any water in the hull? You said in your post about the the boat sitting in the water differently?

Heavier in the bow or stern?

 

[Don S]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

I'm with Chris on the trim tab adjustment.

 

[JustJason]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

keep in mind that most single screw boats will alway turn a little easier to the left and a little harder to the right. adjusting the torque tab correctly will help, but you will never have a "perfect alignment" or "perfect steering balance"
............
unless of course you get a boat with twins or with a single dual prop

 

[muszynskir]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

Thank you for all of the responses!

Bad Cable (or low fluid?) - You can see the steering linkage trying to push the outdrive to the left for a right turn. It's trying so hard there's a little power steering fluid spray around the linkage. Could low power steering fluid cause this problem? As I'm writing this I'm thinking the reservoir I checked, mounted on the bulkhead is trim tab, not power steering fluid so I'm going to look there again.

Sacrificial Anode - The Anode doesn't have a fin on it. Just a flat plate. It doesn't look like the fin wore off or anything like that. No change from last season.

Trim Tabs - They appear fine. Going to get in the water with a mask and take a look from the under-side. Boat is in the water and my trailer needs work. (The fun of owning a boat. This is my second season!)

Water in the Hull - Boat doesn't appear to be sitting in the water differently. I peered inside of every access panel and the bilge... all are dry and normal.

Torque and turning right vs. left - Nothing mechanically altered since last year. It is now impossible to turn right when the boat is on a plane.

While typing this response I'm starting to suspect low power steering fluid. I'm also going to check belts, etc.

 

[muszynskir]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

Mystery Solved!

I blew the return line on the power steering. There was a small split in the hose near the back of the motor. My power steering pump was empty, put fluid in it and watched it spray out the back.

I cut the damaged piece of hose out and made a brass coupling to attempt a temporary repair. No luck as I was still leaking some fluid but the power steering was working well enough on the test ride that I was able to steer to port AND starboard.

I have new hoses on order and should be up and running next week. Unfortunately SeaFair is THIS weekend. Cheers to all.

Rick

 

[Don S]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

Would have been helpful if you had mentioned you had power steering.

 

[achris]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

Would have been helpful if you had mentioned you had power steering.

I'll second that!!!

 

[muszynskir]

Re: 1993 Mercruizer hard to turn right as speed/power increases

Sorry for the omission. I'm a bit of a boating newbie. I'm just tickled pink to not have to replace an outdrive. I order all 3 power steering lines, they're in stock, and I should not have to worry about this again for a while. I'm learning as I go!

Thanks,
Rick