Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

[mrcool]

I have a 1983 Glastron with a 90 horse Evinrude, Yesterday we hit a large wake at about 20 mph, it was a pretty good jump and slap back to the water, but suddenly we did a 90 degree right hand turn before I could stop the boat. Then discovered we lost all steering....I couldn't see anything out of place or what happened. We were able to limp back to the landing by turning the motor by hand from the back of the boat.

Anybody have an idea what happened??? and what should I look for to repair the steering??? Thank you.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

What kind of steering do you have? Cable, teleflex, other?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

picture of the motor and connections to steering. sounds like a bolt came out.

 

[rbh]

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

Ouch.
something could'nt take the beating of boating anymore.

 

[mrcool]

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

Ya, really
I looks like a Teleflex type system With two cable connecters under the dash. Now that I have it out of the water and can see things better It does turn the motor in one direction, The upper cable seems like it's stripped and maybe broke..so I'm guessing the upper cable will need replacing.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

At least yours broke nearshore. A few years back mine broke 20 miles off Cape Canaveral in rough seas. My son sat in the captains chair, worked the throttle and told me which way to steer while I hugged the outboard. When we got in I was so exhausted it took me 2 days to recover.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

if it happens again: tie your paddle or boat hook to the motor to make a tiller.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

if it happens again: tie your paddle or boat hook to the motor to make a tiller.

I saw that trick mentioned here recently too...great idea..hope I never need to use it ! I hope I remember it if I do need it !

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

Glad you made it in ok.

I had the steering break on my brothers 41' velocity once. The hydraulic rams were over grown with sea life and it blew a hose. Fun part was without pressure the drives would flop to one side or another making steering hell even with two motors.

Show some pics and you'll be fixed in no time.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

if it happens again: tie your paddle or boat hook to the motor to make a tiller.

That is a lot easier than it sounds especially if your engine cowling is rounded & the transom sits low in the water.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Hit a big wake and the steering just broke!!

Ya gotta be a McGyver to be a boater