88 VIP Vindicator Steering Frozen

[Mbishop412]

I have an 88 VIP Vindicator with a 350 Merc and Bravo outdrive. End of the season last year as I was going up the river, I lost all steering and the outdrive was stuck to the left. The wheel itself is not locked, and turns, but the outdrive will not. I can force the outdrive towards center a few inches, but that is all?

Any recommendations on what to begin to look for in investigating the issue? I was told possibly the steering cable. It is power assisted. I'm getting the boat from storage friday and want to begin diagnosing and fixing this.

 

[GA_Boater]

It could be the cable is broken or the helm is broken.

Disconnect the cable back where it connects to the tiller arm. Turn the wheel back and forth while looking at the cable end - It should go in and out of the sheath. While the cable off off, try to move the outdrive back and forth.

Let us know what happens.