Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

[mikes998]

I just purchased a 25 horse Mercury motor. I had a tiller handle installed on the motor because it was used with a steering wheel before. When you increase speed, the motor pulls really hard to the left. I have to put a lot of pressure on the handle to keep the motor from turning to the left. I was wondering if anyone has an idea of what would cause this?

Mikes998

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

Do you mean the handle moves away from the operator, to the left, making the boat turn right?

 

[mikes998]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

Do you mean the handle moves away from the operator, to the left, making the boat turn right?

 

[mikes998]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

Yes, that is correct. The handle goes left and the boat wants to turn to the right. When you are at slow throttle you can turn easily both ways, but when you increase speed it pulls left.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

There are two things you can play with to try to correct the problem.

In the picture below, #39 at the top, is the trim tab.
Loosen the bolt that holds it in, and move the rear edge of it to the starboard side of the boat. Tighten the bolt.

Also, there is a screw on the side of the transom bracket, number 13 below.
You can loosen or tighten this screw to put tension on the steering.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

tighten the tention screw on the side of the transom as in no. 13 above .... quick and easy ...

 

[mikes998]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

thanks

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

Hey Mike, what year is this motor?

If it does not have the tension screw, look on the front of the motor.
Just above the mounting clamps.
It may have a sliding lever.

 

[mikes998]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

It is a 1999.

It has a lever on it to keep it from turning. It is a red handle sliding lever. I messed around with that but it did not have any effect on the pulling. When you are driving, it takes a lot of strength to keep the motor from turning. It seems to even tilt the boat when you try to maintain a straight line. I thought maybe it was something to do with the prop. I just put the motor on the boat. I did check last night to see if it was centered and it was off by a 1/2 an inch. Do you think that would cause it to pull to left real hard?

 

[jaymasta]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

It is a 1999.

It has a lever on it to keep it from turning. It is a red handle sliding lever. I messed around with that but it did not have any effect on the pulling. When you are driving, it takes a lot of strength to keep the motor from turning. It seems to even tilt the boat when you try to maintain a straight line. I thought maybe it was something to do with the prop. I just put the motor on the boat. I did check last night to see if it was centered and it was off by a 1/2 an inch. Do you think that would cause it to pull to left real hard?

I don't think half an inch would make a differance, although if it isn't bolted into place it might be worth a shot to just loosen the clamps and nudge it over.
is your trim tab perfectly straight?
I was having some serious issues with my boat, leaning to one side, and always pulling the steering wheel in one direction or the other, and it felt really unsafe at times, my trim tab was perfectly straight and it rough condition, so I bought a brand new merc one and put it on and tilted it a bit to compensate for torque steer if you want to call it that the torque that is applied to the boat due the the propeller turning in one direction, anyways after playing around with it I got it so my boat tracks perfectly straight, and the steering wheel now feels very light and turns evenly in both directions.

 

[mikes998]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

The trim tab is tilted to the right about a 1/2 inch.

 

[rabell yell]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

Hello , I Have A 2006 Trophy Pro 2052 ,at Slow Speeds I Drift Left Hard And Fell I Have To Over Steer To Correct .can I Adjust The Steering Or Is It Somthing Else

 

[caslin]

Re: Boat Steering/Mercury w/ Tiller Handle

I also have a 20hp Merc, mid-1980's where the tiller pulls away from the operator. I have moved the tab above the prop to it's limit also. The prop is not in great shape, but I'm not sure that it could cause this problem.

For long trips I use the stiffness level to tighten up the steering to make it easier on my arm. I'm wondering if the tail on the bottom down-shaft is bent and is causing the problem.

Does anyone know how I could measure to see if this is the problem?

Are there any other known causes?

Thanks in advance,
Alan