Newbie Bentley Pontoon 200 Steering problem

[KyHardtimes]

Looking at buying a 2006 Bentley in excellent condition except for the steering. Understand it could
pull to the right, but can move the whole steering column around a little bit like it is loose. Also felt hard to turn,
their repairman says the steering is normal because it has a single cable steering system....

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard.

It might be a little stiff ... but it shouldn't move the helm around. Is the bezel loose? Is this a dealer?

I don't known if the newer pontoons are using rotary helms or racks or what. Someone else may have better answers to that part.

 

[ahicks]

First things first. Welcome!

Hard to turn under full power with a larger engine trimmed out fully at speed is one thing, and hard to turn while docking for instance, something else entirely. Wheel should turn with one finger at that point.

Your mechanic would be right only if the boat were at speed when you experience the problem.

The helm should be pretty stable. Other than steering, you;ll likely be using that to keep your balance on occasion as well. You want that nailed down firmly!

Has this boat been used in salt/brackish water much? If not, this shouldn't be that big a deal. If you were doing the work yourself, a couple hundred bucks tops. If you have to have it done for you, all bets are off as you may end up with somebody working on it like the guy you've already spoken with..... suggesting the single steering cable is inadequate with no further explanation.

A guy like that may be suggesting a very expensive hydraulic steering system when you have no need for anything like that.

 

[KyHardtimes]

First things first. Welcome!

Hard to turn under full power with a larger engine trimmed out fully at speed is one thing, and hard to turn while docking for instance, something else entirely. Wheel should turn with one finger at that point.

Your mechanic would be right only if the boat were at speed when you experience the problem.

The helm should be pretty stable. Other than steering, you;ll likely be using that to keep your balance on occasion as well. You want that nailed down firmly!

Has this boat been used in salt/brackish water much? If not, this shouldn't be that big a deal. If you were doing the work yourself, a couple hundred bucks tops. If you have to have it done for you, all bets are off as you may end up with somebody working on it like the guy you've already spoken with..... suggesting the single steering cable is inadequate with no further explanation.

A guy like that may be suggesting a very expensive hydraulic steering system when you have no need for anything like that.

Thanks for the info, it's never been in salt/brackish water. A couple hundred is what I was hoping...
guess your talking about a new steering cable....

 

[ahicks]

You really need to disconnect the steering link at the motor to make sure (2 minutes with a wrench should handle that). There's a chance the engine itself might be trying to seize on the pivot. If this is an older boat, I would replace the steering head and the cable to guarantee no further issues for many years. If it's a newer boat with little slop when turning the wheel back and forth, then just replace the cable. Parts to do this repair are not expensive. It's about finding somebody that's not in it to rip people off if you need to have it done for you. For all the bad experiences I've had, I absolutely hate working with dealers. Mobile mechanics, if you can find a good one, are a much better plan. Just don't hire some jerk that throws parts at an issue until it's fixed. Don't give anyone a blank check order to "fix it". Ask for a reasonable explanation for every part they want to replace, even if you don't understand a word they're saying. If it doesn't feel right, ask questions in a forum like this one.....

 

[KyHardtimes]

You really need to disconnect the steering link at the motor to make sure (2 minutes with a wrench should handle that). There's a chance the engine itself might be trying to seize on the pivot. If this is an older boat, I would replace the steering head and the cable to guarantee no further issues for many years. If it's a newer boat with little slop when turning the wheel back and forth, then just replace the cable. Parts to do this repair are not expensive. It's about finding somebody that's not in it to rip people off if you need to have it done for you. For all the bad experiences I've had, I absolutely hate working with dealers. Mobile mechanics, if you can find a good one, are a much better plan. Just don't hire some jerk that throws parts at an issue until it's fixed. Don't give anyone a blank check order to "fix it". Ask for a reasonable explanation for every part they want to replace, even if you don't understand a word they're saying. If it doesn't feel right, ask questions in a forum like this one.....

Thanks, dealing with really great seller, understood my concern, took pontoon to a reputable 25 year owned Marine shop. I talked with the the owner and checking everything out. Any problems she told him to make the repairs at her cost. I couldn't ask for anymore than that, I will be a pontoon owner very soon.

 

[ahicks]

Congratulations!

 

[Silvertip]

If you are not familiar with NFS steering (no feed back) the helm actually locks until you apply a little pressure on the wheel. That boat is new enough that it might have that feature. One of my Alumacraft boats had it and for the time I had the boat I had a love-hate relationship with it. Hated it navigating in tight quarters where frequent right left steering was required. Great on a longer run where frequent course corrections weren't necessary.