new steering cable, new steering issue....

[OMCboater]

My boat is a 1969 I/O bowrider tri hull.

So, when I bought it, the steering cable was way too long and ran up and down the side of the boat giving very stiff steering. A few weeks ago it actually let go (a crimp pulled apart) and that was that. Now what are the chances that somewhere out there, there will be a steering cable for a 40 year old boat (rather unique OMC design used for only a few years to boot) in usable shape? Pretty damn good apparently as I got the EXACT correct cable to fit my boat off of ebay, for only $49 US.

So anyway, now I have this new cable in and the steering is terrific! Nice and light, but this gives rise to a new problem. Torque steer. It really wants to turn left under power and my left arm is going to get huge from holding it back. This is a single cable rack/pinion system and I can easily turn the leg by hand and it will turn the steering wheel. Are there any tension adjustments on these old systems or do you just have to deal with the torque steer? Any suggestions?

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: new steering cable, new steering issue....

2 words

Trim Tabs

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: new steering cable, new steering issue....

Try this link, http://www.outboardrepairs.com/steering/, you may find what you need to know, it's an Iboat link.

Also, if that fails, google "omc steering", may get lucky.

I don't believe trim tabs can off set steering torque. It will off set poor balance, front to back or side to side, and bow rise due to insufficient down trim due to installation problems.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: new steering cable, new steering issue....

Try this link, http://www.outboardrepairs.com/steering/, you may find what you need to know, it's an Iboat link.

Also, if that fails, google "omc steering", may get lucky.

I don't believe trim tabs can off set steering torque. It will off set poor balance, front to back or side to side, and bow rise due to insufficient down trim due to installation problems.

Hey Bob's Garage..
You are right on..thats what I get for blamming out a reply without reading it thoroughly...

 

[OMCboater]

Re: new steering cable, new steering issue....

AHA! I just needed to open my eyes. I imagine this little thing here is to direct my exhaust to the right to offset the engine torque pushing to the left? Or maybe the setting right now is actually pushing to the left? I'll play with it next time I get it in the water.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: new steering cable, new steering issue....

"This little thing" is the trim tab located under the ventilation plate, aft of the prop.

It will help to correct steering problems but from your description of your problem, it may be too little against too much. It is usually used to correct a situation where when the wheel and engine are centered, the boat steers left or right.

You decribe torque steer, which is caused by the engine forcing itself to follow the rotation on the prop. This is controled by resistance in the steering mechanism.

I wouldn't mess with the trim tab until you correct the torque steer.

However, if you must satisify your urge then make small changes in adjustment, and move the tab to point forward, opposite from the direction of the torque steer.

If possible, make these changes on the water so you can experiment and get immediate results. Don't try to do this when you are going to want to use the boat, as it could end up ruining a day on the water by adding too much stress to you to hurry.

 

[OMCboater]

Re: new steering cable, new steering issue....

Thanks for that additional info, Bob's Garage. I will heed your words and leave the trim tab alone....for now . I have also found that there is supposed to be an adjustable brake knob on the bottom of the steering shaft to adjust the amount of steering 'free wheel'. I don't recall seeing one there, but you never know. I'll investigate that as well as it seems it should give me the resistance in the steering mechanism that you describe would control torque steer.