Arm workouts while steering

[Sloboating]

Hello everyone, new boat owner here and I just bought a 2001 Caravelle 176 bowrider from my buddy at work. He took great care of the engine so the power train is solid. He warned me that with the mechanical steering (I think he said rack and pinion? I know cars, not boats, so that's what he equated it to) that turning it would be a little tough but after a day on the water my arms and chest are a sore - and as someone who lifts weights 4-5 days a week I don't consider myself a small or weak person lol.

It wasn't anything I couldn't handle and we still had a blast, but I suppose my question would be how can you tell if the steering is too stiff and needs to be worked on? When I was going through any kind of decent sized wake or choppy waters there wasn't anything I could do but hang in, and I noticed that on long slow turns at speed (30ish mph) that I could easily turn in sharper but it took both hands and some muscle to turn out.

I'm willing to accept that it's probably mostly my own inexperience at trim height, speed, etc. and that as I spend more time out I'll learn how to adjust for it but it sure did feel tough at times, and there's no way my girlfriend would be able to handle it.

Any suggestions, advice, pointers, etc. are very much appreciated.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

The steering shouldn't be that hard. Even girlfriends can drive 'em, so something is wrong. :smile:

Before throwing any advice out, is she (boat) an outboard or an inboard/outboard? Steps are just a little different depending on what you have.

 

[Sloboating]

Inboad/outboard, merc 3.0

 

[GA_Boater]

I'm more an outboard guy, but if you disconnect the steering cable on the inner transom assembly to see if the outdrive swivels stiffly or the steering cable is tight, you should be able to see where the trouble is.

You might wait until Mercruiser guy chimes in if I'm all wet on the mechanics. It's been years since I worked on an I/O.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The 3.0's do not have power steering. Does the steering seam worse in one direction ( port vs starboard )?

 

[Sloboating]

The 3.0's do not have power steering. Does the steering seam worse in one direction ( port vs starboard )?

Right, I knew it doesn't have power steering - sorry I should have been a little more clear in op, but to answer your question yes it seems port is much easier to turn into and starboard tends to take both hands, especially at speed

 

[Scott Danforth]

you most likely need to adjust your little trim tab above the prop.

 

[redneck joe]

Does it pull to one side while at speed?

 

[littlerayray]

The 3.0's do not have power steering. Does the steering seam worse in one direction ( port vs starboard )?

Uhhhh yes the 3.0 comes with power steering I have it in my boat I love it would go without it

 

[Sloboating]

I can confidently say she does not have power steering, otherwise I'd be having the boat mechanic I was referred working on it. Again that's really the Crux of my whole question; I know mechanical steering is more difficult and as a decently in shape individual that likes to lift I can handle it, but my girlfriend most certainly could not. I will try adjusting the trim tab, guy I bought it from pointed it out to me if I need to adjust it.

I also now remember that when going in a straight line the wheel is turned about half a turn to port, which is the easier direction to turn into, and to go starboard I have to use both hands and muscle the wheel clockwise tI'll it's centered to start the turn. In cars I'd have recognized this as being out of alignment but I'm not sure if it's a similar diagnosis in boats.

 

[Fed]

Try trimming in, that will make it easier to turn to the Starboard.

 

[QC]

Straight line wheel alignment doesn't matter. Luck of the draw. If she steers OK on the trailer, then it is normal and the only solution (other than a different steering system) is messing with the little trim tab above the prop. It can make a big difference. The best thing to do is adjust the trim tab for your most common cruising speed. There is a diagram here: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...ation?t=329915

Middle of page. Trial and error. Move a little, test, repeat etc.

Edit: Where are my manners? Welcome aboard!