Steering locked up....

[CJ Sheb]

I am new to boats,
I just obtained a 1972 slickcraft 19' 6", 302 mercruiser I/o
I took it out for a test drive and ran well.
When I tried to trailer it to go home I had no steering.

I ammsume the cable(s) are locked up?
It is pouring rain here so I wont be looking at it today.
But I figure you guys would be able to help out.

Where do I start?

 

[CJ Sheb]

Re: Steering locked up....

Anyone?

I looked during a break in the rain, I see a piston, is this hydralic?

 

[rebars1]

Re: Steering locked up....

Are you saying that the steering wheel does not turn the outdrive, or that when approaching the trailer the boat did not respond to the steering? At slow speeds precision steering just does not happen

 

[CJ Sheb]

Re: Steering locked up....

Correct, The steering wheel will not turn the outdrive.

There is tension on the wheel, like when you turn it it will "snap" back to original position.

 

[CJ Sheb]

Re: Steering locked up....

The wheel will not turn the outdrive.

The wheel seems to have tension on it as you turn the wheel and force it a bit and it snaps back.


I actually think it is a cable as there is one hose in the end and not two hoses.

Any tricks on getting it freed up?
What shouldnt I do?

 

[rebars1]

Re: Steering locked up....

From inside the boat you should see the steering linkage connecting the outdrive to the cable via a connecting rod. Since it worked well on your test drive, make sure that something did not fall into the works and is blocking the motion. Maybe a hose or wire is blocking the motion, or perhaps a nut has come loose.