Steering Play

Johnny O'

Cadet
Joined
Jul 11, 2003
Messages
26
'90 Pro Craft 180 Fishunter with '89 Mariner. I have some play in steering, about 1 to 2 inchs. Is this a problem and should I address it. If so How do I do it?. Steering is cable. Note also the boat will pull to right if I take my hands off wheel while motoring. i don't know if this is normal.
 

12Footer

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: Steering Play

Cable steering has a turnbuckle towards the transom somewhere usually. This is the place to adjust the play out of the cable. This cable should be taught,and the spring on the cable should be pulling just enough to have tension (or just at the point it is being stratched).<br /><br />As far as the boat pulling to the right when you take your hands off the helm...Well, just dont take your hands off the helm LOL :D :D
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<br />yukyuk...SOrry I couldn't resist....On the bottom of the cavitation plate on your Merc, there is an unpainted baby skeg held on by one bolt.<br />This is called a "zinc" . Most are adjustable from side-to-side, by loosing this bolt, and turning it a few degrees.Some even have a gradiant marked in degrees, on the edge .<br />In your case, you want to turn it a few degrees counter clockwise if possable. And your outboard's gimble hinge may also also have a nut/bolt to adjust the stiffness of the actual motor at the hinge.<br />But with cable steering, you'll probably want to leave it a tad on the free side.
 

Johnny O'

Cadet
Joined
Jul 11, 2003
Messages
26
Re: Steering Play

All right 12footer I deserved that one :D and thank you for your help.
 

andrewkafp

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 15, 2003
Messages
1,668
Re: Steering Play

Ahh 12footer..<br />Just can't help himself...<br />But a pretty helpful dude all the same. :D
 
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