First time owning an sterndrive boat, and just wondering if my experience is normal. Before I dive in unhooking cables and trying to figure out what's wrong, I'd like to know if this is actually a problem, or just due to no power-steering on a stern-drive.
Under load/acceleration from a stand-still, the steering becomes very stiff. Like, when you go to pull a wake-boarder up, but you were not perfectly straight, turning the boat under that acceleration takes both hands and some grunts. Doesn't seem to matter if you're turning port or starboard. It doesn't try to pull to one side, just doesn't want to change direction.
My boat:
* 1999 Bayliner Capri 1954 Fish/Ski
* 3.0L Mercruiser / Alpha One Gen Two Outdrive
No power-steering, just the cable. Once the boat is up and going, steering is easy and smooth; just takes a couple fingers. If not under that initial take-off load, the steering is fine.
I think I'm just fighting the torque and physics of the loaded up prop in the water.
No shaking, juttering, pulling hard to one side. No obvious slop in the steering. No squeaks or grinding heard. There is the typical wandering at low speeds I've read about, but from what I have read, it doesn't seem to be more than usual.
The zinc tab above the prop was cut down so it's only 1-2 inches long. That was done by previous owner. He said the tab got in the way of the prop, but without knowing the original size, I can't verify that. I don't think that would impact this anyway.
I had to have the gimbal ring/bell housing replaced after I bought it. Formal replacement, not one of the after market fixes where you cut into the top of the transom housing. It was done professionally, and I have yet to find anything "wrong" or suspicious about the work. Haven't found anything too loose or too tight. No excessive "play" in the joints.
All-in-all, everything seems fine, it just doesn't want to turn when first taking off. Your thoughts?
Aside from greasing the cable sleeve every couple years, is there any standard maintenance I should to to help keep this going?
Under load/acceleration from a stand-still, the steering becomes very stiff. Like, when you go to pull a wake-boarder up, but you were not perfectly straight, turning the boat under that acceleration takes both hands and some grunts. Doesn't seem to matter if you're turning port or starboard. It doesn't try to pull to one side, just doesn't want to change direction.
My boat:
* 1999 Bayliner Capri 1954 Fish/Ski
* 3.0L Mercruiser / Alpha One Gen Two Outdrive
No power-steering, just the cable. Once the boat is up and going, steering is easy and smooth; just takes a couple fingers. If not under that initial take-off load, the steering is fine.
I think I'm just fighting the torque and physics of the loaded up prop in the water.
No shaking, juttering, pulling hard to one side. No obvious slop in the steering. No squeaks or grinding heard. There is the typical wandering at low speeds I've read about, but from what I have read, it doesn't seem to be more than usual.
The zinc tab above the prop was cut down so it's only 1-2 inches long. That was done by previous owner. He said the tab got in the way of the prop, but without knowing the original size, I can't verify that. I don't think that would impact this anyway.
I had to have the gimbal ring/bell housing replaced after I bought it. Formal replacement, not one of the after market fixes where you cut into the top of the transom housing. It was done professionally, and I have yet to find anything "wrong" or suspicious about the work. Haven't found anything too loose or too tight. No excessive "play" in the joints.
All-in-all, everything seems fine, it just doesn't want to turn when first taking off. Your thoughts?
Aside from greasing the cable sleeve every couple years, is there any standard maintenance I should to to help keep this going?
