Problems steering my sailboat

[Count Monaco]

Steering my sailboat out of the channel is a two man job because the outboard won't stay in one place so I have to have someone hold it while I steer with the rudder. One time the motor slipped while we we near another boat and we almost hit it!

I'm trying to figure out the best way to solve this problem. Is it normal to remove the rudder and just steer with the engine and then put it back on when you get the sails up? That doesn't seem practical. Or is is possible to make the engine stay strait? It's a Nissan NSF6 and I've tightened the knob on the back as hard as I can... Am I missing something?

 

[southkogs]

My suggestion is to make a lock of some sort - perhaps something that attaches to the carrying handle on the front of the outboard - and use that to hold the motor straight. You could try tying it off to the stern somehow too.

I would do my best to keep the tiller the steering mechanism.

 

[Grub54891]

Perfectly normal to lock the motor down and steer with the rudder. I'd find out what's wrong with the friction clutch.

 

[Willyclay]

Bungee cords.

 

[Sea Rider]

On those portables the friction knob was not designed to lock 100% the engine, you can only play with +,- steering friction but not lock it completely without damaging the friction system. Is that engine a sailboat model ? There's a kit that locks steering on those engines and voila. Will need to just steer with the rudder.

Place this post on the Tohatsu/NIssan forum under Nissan 6 HP for Sailboat. Paul who is a regular poster has a sailboat and same engine, could advise about getting one, he currently sells Tohatsu/Nissan parts.

Happy Boating