steering problems

[huelsmann]

Hello, I am very new to the whole boat maintenance thing and need some help. I am in the air force and I work on helicopters (a little different from boats) and I am visiting my parents in NC. My dad is having a steering problem with his boat. It had it since we bought it used and I dont know what to do to fix it. It seems to oversteer when turning left and is very difficult to turn. It understeers a lot to the right and is easy to turn. It is cable driven and I think it might just need and adjustment and some grease on the cables. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I think it is a 1992 not sure what type of boat but the engine is an Evinrude 150 V6. There is also 2 holes on the steering arm coming from the engine and the cables are hooked up to the back one. Dont know if that would help...Thanks, Justin

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: steering problems

First thing I would do is unhook them(cables) from the engine and see how easy they turn from right to left.<br /><br />If there are any rough spots to it, then it would be best to just replace them.<br /><br />Once a cable gets a bad spot on it, all the grease in the world won't help it.<br /><br />My experience with cables is that it is best to replace them than to take a chance of them breaking while under power, or locking up in a turn.

 

[golfer]

Re: steering problems

Yes, replace the cable. It will get worse and worse, and eventually will seize...Most likely your problem is in fact the steering cable. Not a bad idea to replace it anyway if it is original from 1992.

 

[Bondo]

Re: steering problems

OR, If you unhook the cables from the motor...<br />And the cables move Freely, in both direction....<br />And the motor swivel moves Freely.....<br />Then, Hook everything back up.....<br />Start looking for the trimtab.. it Should be mounted on the Bottom of the Anti-ventilation plate, Just above,+ behind the trailing edge of the prop....<br />Turn it to point the other way...<br /><br />It Sounds to me that your Dad is experincing Extreme Prop. Torque.... The trimtab will counter-act it...

 

[DJ]

Re: steering problems

All good advice.<br /><br />I also think you may be referring to a "torque steer" issue.<br /><br />Turn the r\rear of the trim tab in the direction of the pull.

 

[Boatist]

Re: steering problems

Huelamann<br />My guess is also the motor steering trim tab but here is how you tell. If the motor turn ok sitting still or at idle but turns hard one way at speed then all you need to do is adjust the motor trim tab as bondo said.