Boat Wont Turn

[antman_ga]

Well Ive Really Done It This Time.. I Finnaly Got My Boat Running Like Its Suppost Too. Went Fishing Yesterday And Stayed Out Too Late. Hit A Stump At A Slow Idle From The Rear. Thought I Was Okay Until I Started To Pull Out And My Motor Wont Steer To The Left At All. It Steers To The Right Fine But Thats It. I Think I Must Have Bent Or Warped The Steering Rod. Thats Just A Guess Because I Havent Really Paid It Much Attention Until Now So I Cant Remember How It Looked To Begin With. My Question Is If It Is The Steering Rod Do I Have To Replace It Or Can I Bend It Back In Place. Or What Other Damage Could Cause This Problem. Thanks Ahead For All Who Offer Help.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Boat Wont Turn

Disconnect the steering cable at the motor. Now you can determine if the problem is with the motor or the steering cable.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Boat Wont Turn

I'm going to go out on a limb here with a wild guess.

I really don't think you could have bent the connecting bar. That's a massive piece of steel, thicker than any other component. If you did bend the cable end, it is POSSIBLE to straighten it but not very likely. The rod inside the cable end is only about 1/4 inch thick and could have been bent thus causing the cable end to bind inside the tube. To see this, you would need to disconnect the cable and turn it all the way out. If you can not get to the bent portion, you will need to FORCE the cable end out of the transom tube and buy a new steering cable.

Do you have a rotary helm or a rack and pinion? Did you have the engine turned when you hit the stump? Or, did the engine turn when it hit? The helm end of the steering cable is spiral wound and rides in matching grooves in the rotary helm. It is possible that the cable was forced into or out of the helm and is now at the stop on the cable. Thus, the wheel would turn in one direction and not the other. I think it is less likely to have happened with rack and pinion but I suppose it is still possible.

 

[antman_ga]

Re: Boat Wont Turn

Hey first of all i really appreciate the helpful feedback. I got home and looked at it in the light and it was the steering rod. It bent the crap out of it! i took it apart at the joint and beat it back down with a hammer. its not perfect but it drives about like it did. i cant believe that little bump bent that thick piece of steel. it took me half an hour to get it back right. thanks again for the advice. this sight is really helpful