pre-power steering

[sti1471]

I have a 1894 mercruiser 3.0L. This is my first I/O boat. I took it out on the lake last weekend for the first time since I bought it and finished the rebuild. As I was driving it in a marina at idle speed it was fine. But then once I put the throttle down a bit I noticed the steering was VERY hard to steer at time such as when coming out of a turn. I did not drive it around for long as it was a test run.

My question is, once the boat gets to a certain speed get up on plane, does the steering get easier or is it always a struggle? When it is on the trailer the steering is smooth and can be turned with 1 finger on the wheel. Is this just how the older boats are or will it be easier once speed increases?

 

[alldodge]

I have a 1894 mercruiser 3.0L. This is my first I/O boat. I took it out on the lake last weekend for the first time since I bought it and finished the rebuild. As I was driving it in a marina at idle speed it was fine. But then once I put the throttle down a bit I noticed the steering was VERY hard to steer at time such as when coming out of a turn. I did not drive it around for long as it was a test run.

My question is, once the boat gets to a certain speed get up on plane, does the steering get easier or is it always a struggle? When it is on the trailer the steering is smooth and can be turned with 1 finger on the wheel. Is this just how the older boats are or will it be easier once speed increases?

Do you have power steering or manual?

 

[garbageguy]

Assuming you have manual (non-power) steering, and it's a bit newer that a 1894, I'd say what you are experiencing is normal. One nice thing about manual steering is that when you get up on plane, you can feel the steering "relax" when you trim the drive up the proper amount, and you know you're trimmed properly.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,... Adjustin' the torque-tab anode over the prop, May help,....

 

[thumpar]

On the 2.5l I had with no power steering it wasn't much harder to steer than the with the current engine that has power steering.

 

[sti1471]

Mine is a 1984 and it does not have the power steering pump at the pully. All that is there is the steering cable runs to the back where the looks like it mounts to an arm of some kind with a little steel cable that looks like it is there to stop it from traveling too far or something.

When I was driving it I never got the boat above 10MPH as I was just tresting the carb and shift cable adjustments I made. I would turn the boat and give it some throttle and the nose would come up as usual and turning the boat out of the turn to head straight seemed it is was very stiff and required both hands.

Currently the torque-tab anode is 100% straight in line with the center of the boat. As soon as I fix my oil leak I will take it out and give it another test.

 

[tomdinwv]

I have a 1975 Sea Ray without power steering. My steering is stiff at low speed, same as yours. When getting mine on plane, it is stiff on the initial take off and then "relaxes" (for lack of a better word) as she comes up on plane. On plane, you can steer with one finger. I would imagine you will experience the same when you come on plane.