Steering Questions w/outboard

[cigar_stub]

Took my newly aquired 2002 center console with 115 hp yamaha out yesterday for the first time. The boat has rack and pinion steering. I know this cause it says so on the wheel . Anyway, at idle the steering is very easy. However when taking off, if the wheel is turned it is very differcult to turn. Is this normal due to the thrust of the motor? Or could there be an issue I need to address?

Thank you in advance for any help or suggestions.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering Questions w/outboard

it's due to improper trim. when trimmed correctly it is easier to turn. not as easy as at idle but easier..

 

[cigar_stub]

Re: Steering Questions w/outboard and trim question

Re: Steering Questions w/outboard and trim question

Thank you Tash. I suppose the next question for me to ask is: What is the correct trim? This 19' center console with a 115 hp is my second boat, the first being a 16' bass boat with a 60 hp. On the first boat, I'd have the motor fully down when taking off, and would raise the engine to plane out to a smooth ride. I don't really know the best method of determining proper trim. Any suggestions? Perhaps this topic has been covedred elsewhere.

Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Steering Questions w/outboard

I'd say you've pretty much got it as long as you don't start raising the engine until you are well established on the plane. Once planing you'll get a sense of how much to trim up in order to lighten up the bow (and make the steering easier). Also have a (quick) look at your wake as you trim. You will start to see evidence of prop wash emerging from down the centre line of your wake as the engine comes up. Play with it to see what happens as you keep trimming up. Eventually you will just lose bite on the water confirming you are indeed too far up.

If you get no steering effort relief at any trim angle it's possible you may need to lubricate something or there's some other problem. Either way, though, you're probably a perfect candidate for a hydraulic steering retrofit. Do a search here on those two words here and you'll find lots of discussion. Teleflex's Baystar and Seastar systems seem to be the most common.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering Questions w/outboard

i have the same problem with my 18' center console. there are so many bends in the cable to get from the helm. under the floor, up the transom. and into the tilt tube, this just makes the steering that much harder, than a standard 2 bend system the side console uses.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Steering Questions w/outboard

Along the lines of what TAS said, the mfgr may have kinked the cable when installing, or there may be kinks or sharp bends in the cable.

I bought a boat and the cable emerged from inside the boat too close to the engine and not properly aligned with the engine tilt tube causing a pretty sharp bend right at the tube entrance. I replaced the cable and had to re-route the cable to get a good slow sweep into the tilt tube and that solved the problem.

Agree on trim position, engine height can also make a difference, and your trim tab position. My experience with at least one other boat (115 hp Merc) was that when trimmed out to the fastest speed, the steering almost felt like it was powered, as compared to lower speeds with the engine tilted down. Your engine isn't all that big so you should be able to make it without power assist.

Mark

 

[cigar_stub]

Re: Steering Questions w/outboard

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I checked the cables while running a new transducer cable today for the fishfinder (what a pain in the ) Anyway, it doesnt' appear kinked, but there are two "tight" bends. Thing is, when out of the water, in water at idle or slow moving, it turns with not problem. I think it may be trim related so I'll check that out next time I wet the bottom, which I hope will be Saturday.

The transducer replacement was a chore. Whoever installed the first one did not give the location much thought. It was right next to a running board for the trailer, next to the drain plug and very close to the engine. And the fact that only a wire remained told me what happened. With the help and suggestion of a friend I moved it to a new location which I hope will prove more relieable.