Steering advice - 20 foot pontoon. Feedback?

[rjlatherow]

Hey all! Just bought a 20 pontoon with a 88 HP Evinrude. It had sat for a good while, and I've been slowly waking her up.<br /><br />Steering was hideously stiff - I lubed all i could, it got better but never easy. I took it out yesterday to test out some things and half way through the steering started getting super aweful- clunks, freezing up, then once you push past there was 5 inches of play. Basically, it was shot. But since I never drove her in good shape, I have no experience to go on in replacing it.<br /><br />No worries tho - I just have to figure out which of the the many varieties of steering to buy. Feedback resistant? simple? I figure 3 turns is a good thing piloting my barge- is the feedback so neccessary? I don't troll- Or should I try and fit a rack in there? I may have room-<br /><br />thanks for your opinion!<br /><br />-rj

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Steering advice - 20 foot pontoon. Feedback?

Usually the cable is the first to go.Generally it is cost effective to replace the cable and helm with a kit.It's probably been done,but I have yet to see a rack system in a pontoon.Rotary works fine.3 or 3.5 turns is normal.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Steering advice - 20 foot pontoon. Feedback?

Disconnect the cable at the engine and see if things free up. If it does, the engine is tight, not the steering.

 

[rjlatherow]

Re: Steering advice - 20 foot pontoon. Feedback?

Disconnected, the engine turns with my finger - its the cable and helm.<br /><br />Is a feedback unit? worth it for what I need? Would I even notice the difference?<br /><br />-rj

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Steering advice - 20 foot pontoon. Feedback?

Personally, I don't think it's really necessary. They don't require that much force when working properly... Nor do they pull that much..