Maybe my turn for new boat time

[redneck joe]

yall beat me to it....

 

[redneck joe]

boat looks like it need a pair of outboards? Not sure why i think that.

 

[alldodge]

Pics
Will post others later after resize

 

[alldodge]

More pics

 

[alldodge]

Boat has sat mostly for almost 2 years. Measured the Bats and start was 12.7V and house 12.2V so plugged in charger. Bats are Odyssey Extreme so seeing if both will come back up (should be 12.9V)

Also missing the little air pump used for winterization. I'll contact them after letting the Bats charge for couple days, Bats might come back. Might even just buy the pump, it's about $20 something

The boat came out of the hole slowly but that could have been the salesman. Did notice with drive all the way down it's not tucked in even with transom, wonder if Formula installed blocks inside the trim rams?

 

[alldodge]

Boat steering is stiff, Formula is checking into it but says it doesn't have power steering but has power assist. I mentioned that the steering is about the same with the motor off as well as running. Never seen one as stiff.

Hey @muc have any idea what would cause the new steering to be hard to turn, fluid was checked and it's full?

 

[Pmt133]

Just out of curiosity, well 2 actually.

First, what air pump? Is this like a quick winterizing kit?

Second, what kind of rack is on the helm?

 

[alldodge]

Pump is small
https://www.boats.net/product/mercury/863057

Looks like standard rack as on all Bravo's

 

[Pmt133]

Oh, so bicycle pump.

I only ask as I tried one of the no feedback Helms on my restoration and hated it for the same reason. Stiff. Stiffer than the 40 year old detmar it replaced. I don't see why they'd use that on a power assist anyway, but just a thought.

 

[alldodge]

Good point
I could use 1 of my bicycle or B-ball pumps to do the same thing.

Looking at the parts for the so called "power assist" it's the same parts many cars use so it should work the same as self contained unit

 

[Pmt133]

This had a clutch on the rack. No possible way to push the drive unless you turned the wheel. The power assist without that I would assume still moves, just woth the force needed to move the actuator tacked on, like a car.

 

[tpenfield]

@alldodge . . . You must be thrilled to have turned the page on the Chappy and have basically a new Formula. Hopefully the steering issue will get sorted out soon.

Do you have a local dealer for warranty support?

 

[alldodge]

There are no Formula dealers just Mercury. I have discussed with Formula prior to purchase and they said they will authorize a local to do the work. The steering and Bat is regular Merc stuff

 

[redneck joe]

'spoke' many times does not end well.

 

[muc]

Hope this boat is good for you!

Power steering, salesman is full of it. If anything a B3 would be easier to steer due to the counter rotating props.
Low fluid won't have any affect until it gets low enough to aerate the fluid - a couple of ounces won't do that.
Could be a few things, stiff mechanical cable from the helm, low pressure from the pump, bad "cylinder assembly-power steering" (that's Mercs official term for the rack on the transom) or maybe the swivel pins on the gimbal ring are too tight.
In the pic you posted of the engine compartment, I don't see the steering cable - maybe due to camera angle? - but a miss routed cable could cause your symptoms.
Power assisted steering vs power steering, that's seems to be splitting hairs. They are basically the same thing on a MerCruiser. Either way it should be buttery smooth. Probably want a good tech to diagnose. If you want some ideas on troubleshooting just ask and I will help, but under warranty - probably best to leave it to the dealer.
Had a wild one a few years ago. Same symptom as yours, ended up that the power steering cooler had froze just enough to crush the steering fluid passage but not enough to cause it to leak water. One of the few times I needed a power steering test gauge to diagnose stiff P/S.

I would suggest getting Mercs pump, this system doesn't take much air pressure, no reason to damage it over $26.49. Plus the pump looks cool in it's special holder!

I've been asked about disconnecting the MerCathode system because the boat will be lift stored. Yes you can, but there is really no reason to. This system uses almost no power when it's out of the water. So no upside, just possible downsides.

Have you hooked up your Techmate to pull the hours?

 

[alldodge]

Thanks

Took the boat to dealer this AM and forgot to mention the steering issue. Will call tomorrow to advise, and agree it just doesn't seem right. The cable looks good and appears to go straight into the ram with no other bends, just smooth arc

Have not connected Techmate yet, but smartcraft shows 13 hours