96 Stratos Steering Problem

[jkwilson99]

I have a 96 stratos with a 150 hp Evenrude intruder, same motor that came with the boat, but its real hard to turn to the left. When im sitting in the water, no problems, everything is free, when I hit the hole shot and put it under load, it wants to pull to the right, and i have to hold on and pull to the left to keep it straight. When i plain out and let go of the steering, it pulls to the right and hard to turn left. Everything is to the right and it takes a lot of muscle to turn left.
I have played with the trim tab and I can only feel a little change. My brother-in-law who has a new boat says this is not right, but another buddy of mine said his old 96 did the same thing and its just the hp of the motor that makes it hard.
Is this normal??? if not, any idea on what could be wrong, or what i could do??
any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jared

 

[Fed]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

Trim it out.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

Much of that also depends on the prop and the height that the motor is mounted....... when I was prop testing with my old bass boat I reached a point where I could not turn left due to the torque and speed.

Is the motor mounted on a jack plate? You might try dropping in about a 1/2 to 3/4"

 

[jkwilson99]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

I have tried all different trim positions, not much difference.

Not sure what a jack plate is, but i don't think so. It looks pretty difficult to move the hole motor up and down, looks like there is a seal between the motor mount and hull. It appears that the motor has never changed its mounting position.

I can't imagine it was like this when bought new...but I have never drove another boat to know either. I guess thats why the new boats have power steering...luxery . Maybe its just the raw power!

thanks

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

So is this a new boat to you? Is it your first bass boat with a 150?

The prop is also responsible too. Is it a standard 3 blade or a 4 blade? A 4 blade bites tenaciously and can be harder to turn. You might try to borrow a prop and try a different one.

 

[Crazy D]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

I have tried all different trim positions, not much difference.

Not sure what a jack plate is, but i don't think so. It looks pretty difficult to move the hole motor up and down, looks like there is a seal between the motor mount and hull. It appears that the motor has never changed its mounting position.

I can't imagine it was like this when bought new...but I have never drove another boat to know either. I guess thats why the new boats have power steering...luxery . Maybe its just the raw power!

thanks

A jackplate is basically a big box type spacer that goes inbetween the transom and the motor . Most bass boats run cleaner thru the water with one because it sets the motor farther back . The jackplates have multi holes so you can adjust motor height . It usually gains you more top speed .

 

[Fed]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

Are your hydraulics holding up/out under power, you may have to put a trim limiting rod on it or move it out if you already have one.
Put the trailing edge of your little trim tab to the right when viewed from the rear.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

With my 200, I have to have it all the way trimmed down for a holeshot. Any bit out and it cavitates bad. When the trim is down, it is very difficult to steer. But as soon as I nail it, I start trimming up, and in about 4 seconds it is steerable with one finger all the way to top speed.

 

[jkwilson99]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

Its a 1996 Stratos 288 fish and ski, fiberglass boat with 150 hp Evenrude, it does have a 4 blade stainless steel prop and it looks like it has a jack plate but again, it looks as if its never been moved, so i would think its set from the factory still.
It sounds from all the postings that this steering problem is normal for this year of boat and this size engine.
Let me tell you, when i trim down all the way, this thing blast out of the hole, within seconds im on plain, you just have to hang on. It does get better once plained out. I can't turn with a finger, but it is better. If i let go of the steering wheel it will turn to the right....again, I guess its just the thrust of the motor and being a 4 blade prop. I was just afraid there was something wrong, as long as this is normal, im good.......Thanks for all the info.!
by the way, yes, this is a new boat to me...my first one.

 

[skibrain]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

I bet you a doughnut that you have cable steering. Look into switching to hydraulic steering such as Sea Star by Teleflex:

http://www.teleflexmarine.com/products/steering/hydraulic-steering-systems/

My brother in law has a 18' Glastron with a 150 V6 outboard. A big outboard has lots of weight and torque and feedback otherwise. We found there was a lot of effort to steer the boat, especially when under load. My sister refused to drive it for that reason. He installed aftermarket hydraulic steering and it's a pleasure to drive...should have come rigged that way in the first place.

 

[jkwilson99]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

You may get a doughnut....i think it is, Im not sure what im looking at but i think it might be a rack and pinion steering. It has 2 big lines running to 2 large pins, they slide back and forth. Im guessing there is 2 large cables....i will look into the hydraulic steering...THANKS!

 

[jkwilson99]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

after doing some research, it looks like i have the rack and pinion style, but they make a sea star hydraulic system for it....will look into this.

 

[skibrain]

Re: 96 Stratos Steering Problem

The hydraulic systems are a bit pricey, but worth it.
BTW I'm a big fan of fish and skis. great looking and a nice rig for watersports.