Question about steering

[Zuplar]

I recently bought a boat and have a question regarding steering. I had a good friend that has been around boats is entire life help me with everything up till this point so I feel pretty confident with how everything has turned out. I have been doing some reading on the manual and doing as much as possible to learn what I need to do to keep up and maintain my boat as best as possible. The other day I had it out on the lake trying it out for the first time and I told my friend I thought the steering was hard. He told me we should look into greasing and maybe adding fluid. At the time I didn't think to ask, but beings this was my first time actually driving a boat, I'm curious how hard should the steering be? Should it be easy like a car with power steering or a noticeable amount harder? Like I said this was my first time, so I'm just not sure if this is something normal or if I do indeed need to look into this. My friend backed the boat off the trailer and pulled it to the dock so I had figured being somewhat accustomed to boats he would have said if it were abnormally hard, but at the same time he didn't drive it long. Sorry for the long first post but I hope to clear this up. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Question about steering

Ayuh,... No 2 boats are alike,+ We have absolutely No clue as to just what your's might be...

Is it a 12' tinny, or a 60' cruiser,..??
What about it's Power,..??

 

[cr2k]

Re: Question about steering

Steering on a boat is more like a car with out power steering.
It is not as easy as a car. If you have power steering on your boat (you never stated what boat/drive set up you have) it will be fairly smooth and not hard.
If you do not it will be anything from as above to let's say firm. Anything beyond that is probably in need of service/replace.

Check your power steering fluid and belt tension, if so equipped.

Grease fittings on drive inside and outside of the boat. There should be a place or two to grease just inside the transom

Is your helm loose, worn, wobbly?

If greasing doesnt do much disconnect cable at back of boat and see if that makes it free up. If so your pivot pins are probably your problem.
Unless you feel you can take apart the drive bell housing and have the needed tools it's best to take it to a shop.

If that doenst help disconnect from helm (under dash).
Now you can try the cable by hand (disconnected at both ends) and it should slide smooth with some minor resistance by hand. Now try your wheel and see if its stiff. Also check the cable for cracks and kinks in the cover. If the cover is cracked it is probably rusty inside.

Sometimes it's not one thing but a several that make it hard. Then it's time for a helm kit.

You can not grease the cables. They have enough friction just form the inner and outer sliding that any grease would make them very stiff.


In some cases it's easier and just about the same cost to buy a helm kit and replace everything

It's hard to say some helms come with a friction adjustment, see if this is too tight. Some people like to the boat to stay on heading hands free, some like easy maneuvering.

 

[Zuplar]

Re: Question about steering

Sorry, I got so wrapped up in trying to make sure I was clear about the problem I didn't post the basics. The boat is a '99 Caraville with a Mercury 3.0l and Mercruiser Alpha 1 setup. I honestly didn't even think of the power steering until earlier when I was writing this. It seems like when the boat isn't on everything moves fairly smooth, but when you are out on the water and have the boat top speed it feels like someone stated, a car with power steering. I guess I just feel like that's a little tougher than it should be, but I am new to the boating world, so I'm just trying to get the feel for everything.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Question about steering

Welcome to the iboats.com forum. The experts here, which I am not, can help you with any questions about boats, motors and trailers. I would check your engine for a power steering pump and the associated hoses/hydraulic cylinder connected to the drive tiller arm. Then check your outdrive for a trim tab located below the anti-ventilation plate and behind the prop. You should only one or the other but not both. If you need help identifying these things, download the proper Mercruiser Service Manual from the "Adults Only" sticky in the I/O Forum. I believe your drive should be an AlphaI-GenII and that is Manual No. 14. Not sure on the engine. Post what you find and the experts should be able to help. Good luck!

 

[Zuplar]

Re: Question about steering

yes i downloaded the manuals and have an idea of what i am looking for. i didn't pay attention before if it had power steering, it honestly never occurred to me. i'll check tonight while i'm installing new plugs and get back to you guys with my findings.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Question about steering

3.0s rarely have power steering, so getting the torque tab adjusted properly is more important.

 

[Zuplar]

Re: Question about steering

3.0s rarely have power steering, so getting the torque tab adjusted properly is more important.

what exactly is the torque tab?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Question about steering

...little fin above/behind the prop to help counteract propeller torque.

 

[Zuplar]

Re: Question about steering

alright i think i know what you are talking about. just to make sure is it what i have circled in this picture? if so how do you adjust it?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Question about steering

That's the guy, adjustment procedure is in the manual you downloaded. It also covers all the grease points on your steering system.

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: Question about steering

Question for ya? While under way, Does the steering seem harder turning to the left than to the right? or does it just seem stiff for both left and right steering? If its difficult for left turning only, then your tab needs to be counter adjusted for tork steering. If both then there is some lubrication needed at the zerk fittings on out drive or the steering cable is rusting too..

 

[Zuplar]

Re: Question about steering

That's the guy, adjustment procedure is in the manual you downloaded. It also covers all the grease points on your steering system.

alright i was looking for the adjustment procedure but can't seem to locate it. what would it be under in the manual?

 

[Zuplar]

Re: Question about steering

Question for ya? While under way, Does the steering seem harder turning to the left than to the right? or does it just seem stiff for both left and right steering? If its difficult for left turning only, then your tab needs to be counter adjusted for tork steering. If both then there is some lubrication needed at the zerk fittings on out drive or the steering cable is rusting too..

now that you mention it i think it may be just left. i'm trying to remember but i think where it seemed hard when i had just turned right and then was straighting up, (so in essence it would be similar to turning left), but i know while going left seemed harder.

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: Question about steering

My first boat, had manual steering, untill I found the correct adjustment with the trim tab, turning right was easy. but bringing it back from a hard right was both hands. the faster you went the more effort was needed. try turning the tab to 2 oclock there should be some little hash marks to indicate center position. good luck

 

[Zuplar]

Re: Question about steering

alrighty i'll give it a try. i did get to mess with the boat tonight and it is indeed manual steering. i was looking to where the cable end attaches and there is some build up so i think i'm going to clean it down good and use some of the lubricant it suggests (i think special 101?). if there is anything better or any other suggestions of what i should lube while i'm back there let me know. thanks.

 

[Zuplar]

Re: Question about steering

another thought, i have a hydro-foil fin on my outdrive, would that make it harder to steer? the guy i bought it from said he had it on there cause it helped it plane faster, but that's not really a huge concern of mine.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Question about steering

i have a hydro-foil fin on my outdrive, would that make it harder to steer?

It could, take it off and see what happens.

 

[Zuplar]

Re: Question about steering

It could, take it off and see what happens.

well i had the the boat out at the lake and had cleaned the linkage and re-lubed it up properly and it seems like it's getting better. still a little hard turning to the right, so i'm going to adjust the tab and see if that helps. i'm trying to do one at a time that way i can see what helps the most and maybe save me from some work.