Steering Questions

[charleso]

I have just purchased a 17' fish/ski combo. On the intial trip out with it, I noticed the steering to the right was very smooth. However, it is a different story turning left. It is very stiff. It steers like an old car with no power steering. What could be causing this and what would be the best way to repair it?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering Questions

1st Guess is that the Torque Tab on the back of the motor, just above the prop could be Tuned alittle to relieve the torque against the motor............

If that doesn't Fix it,......
I suppose it Could be the Steering Cable or Helm,......
But I doubt it......

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Steering Questions

Power steering or hydraulic steering would help, but that's an awful expense. The bigger the motor, the more you notice it. It's caused by torque from a sideways-spinning propeller pushing the boat forward. If the prop spun the other way, the torque would be the other way. That's why boats with twins have opposite-spin props. One cancels the other.

 

[Docknocker]

Re: Steering Questions

1) ck trim tab angle on bottom of cavitation plate, and 2) make sure your steer cable has no more than 1 length adjustment loop in it

 

[charleso]

Re: Steering Questions

Thanks for the help. Which way should the trim tab be moved to help overcome the hard left problem?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Steering Questions

Move the rear of the tab to the left. Whichever way it pulls, move it that way in increments until the steering feels better...

 

[Docknocker]

Re: Steering Questions

Going from memory here, with the boat on it's trailer, stand behind the motor, faceing the transom. The tab should be angled SLIGHTLY to your right - only 2 or 3 degrees. There should be an access plug directly above the tab. Pop it off and loosen the allen screw to rotate the tab. Bring the allen wrench with you on your next trip as you will probably need to fine tune the adjustment - and only run the boat slowly untill you get it dialed in. You'll be suprised how much that tiny tab effects steering

 

[dave524]

Re: Steering Questions

OK, First question is what hp is the motor? Second, when the boat is on the trailer out of water try the steering in both ways. if it is still tight to the left, then you have a cable problem, OR and I mean this, if you just purchased the boat, try greaseng all of the points on the motor. I did this to mine, and WOW ! steers with one finger now. Also turn the motor full right and apply grease to the end of the shaft, then turn to left and check. Unless you have a huge hp motor, I dont think that prop spin is causing your problem. Hope this helps.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Steering Questions

You also want to make sure you are using your power trim correctly. Often times the boat will pull to one side until you trim out. If you are trimming properly and the boat is still stiff in one direction or pulling, you want to turn the torque tab above the prop. You loosen the alen bolt that holds it in, and you turn the back edge of the tab in the direction of the stering problem (boat hard to turn left, back edge of tab goes left). You do this in small increments and test. I have had as little as 1/8th inch make a huge difference, so go small in your adjustment. Remember, rule out improper power trim use first, then adjust the tab. Good luck....

 

[charleso]

Re: Steering Questions

Thanks for the help fellas, sorry I have not responded back before now, been out of town. The motor is a 120hp Johnson. I have already greased the steering cable, it is slick and smooth out of the water. Will try adjusting the torque tab. Once again, Thanks to all.

 

[charleso]

Re: Steering Questions

Here's another question for the great gurus. How deep in the water should the motor sit? It is mounted on a jack plate so it will be relatively simple to raise it. On the maiden trip, I noticed that the motor ran best trimmed all the way up(just before going on to the tilt cylinder). I was running 44 mph(on speedo and gps), the tach is not functioning properly, I am currently working on it, also.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Steering Questions

The cavitation plate on the lower part of the motor should be even to about an inch above the bottom of the hull...

 

[DJ]

Re: Steering Questions

The cavitation plate on the lower part of the motor should be even to about an inch above the bottom of the hull...

That's the perfect place to start.

Get the tach. fixed, that is your guide. MPH means little. That engine should be set up to be able to turn a minimum of 5500 RPM at wide open throttle with a light/moderate load.