Steering tough to the right?

[ArkBoater]

I have a 1989 Cheetah Ski Boat (1650 LS) with a 130HP i/o Mercruiser engine. It is very difficult to turn the wheel to the left. Turning to the right is very easy.

I have tried trimming the motor in and out, it makes no differences. If I take my hand off the wheel it tracks fine and the trim tab (I think it is called) is in the dead center.

Does anyone, have any ideas how to correct this???

Thanks everyone!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

Welcome to iboats......
You have power steering or no?
Anyway, if you turn the front of the trim tab towards the direction of the hard turn, it should help offset the torque of the engine, which is the cause.....​

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

I would try adjusting the trim tab first.
If that doesn't work you need a new steering cable. When you turn to the right, the inner core of the cable pushes hard on the outside sheath. It can wear the and cause it to bind when turning. When you turn the other way, it pulls to the inside and isn't against the damaged part.
This is usually the problem if there are some very tight radius bends in the cable. Usually at the helm or where it turns at the transom.

 

[ArkBoater]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

I just realized I said hard steering to the right in the title and hard to the left in the post. Anyway, sorry about that. It is hard to the left and fine to the right. Now, I do NOT have pwr steering and the steering cable was replaced at the end of last summer. Anyway, I am going to try to adjust the trim tab and see if that helps. Now am I correct here....the adjustment is done with an allen wrench through the top of the trim tab right? Also, I will need to remove my Hydrofoil Stabilizer to get to the tab adjustment right? Is all that correct? Also, let me make sure I right here.....If my steering is hard while steering to the left, and fine while turning to the right....I will need to turn the tab clockwise (that is while standing at the back of the boat looking at the motor) Is that correct too? Thanks again everyone!!!

Jared

 

[ArkBoater]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

Bump.

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

You shouldn't have to remove the hydrofoils to adjust the angle. You just need to turn it, not take it off.
Allen wrench thru the top of the upper, under the cap. It just loosens the bolt. Turn the tab to where you want it and retighten the bolt.
Go a little at a time till you get where you want.

 

[ArkBoater]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

thanks Don!!! That is exactly what I needed!!

Jared

 

[ArkBoater]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

Well Don, I did the adjustment last night. Now, the trim tab will only move about 1/4 to 1/2" total in either direction. Is that normal or should it be able to move all the way around? Forgive me, I am new to owning a boat.



It figures, out of the 4 or 5 sets of allen wrenches I own, not one of them had the 3/8" one I needed....so I had to make a trip to lowes just to buy one. Now I have 6 sets of allen wrenches.

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

Is the steering problem the same toughness when the boat is stopped? if so, its not the tourque steer that is the problem, and the trim tab is not going to fix it.

 

[ArkBoater]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

Thanks for the reply! Nope it is not the same in and out of water. It steers fine (with the same feel) both left and right out of the water. I thought about that last night and tride it. All steering is fine out of the water. The adjusment I made to the tab should help then shouldn't it?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

It should move more than that......
Keep in mind that this will help, not completely remedy the hard steer.....​

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

Yep... it should help. I dont think you'll need too much adjustment... it had more of an affect than you might think.

 

[ArkBoater]

Re: Steering tough to the right?

I guess the best thing to do is take the allen wrench with me on my next trip to the lake and move it till its right. Thanks for ALL the help everyone! I will for sure keep this web site handy!!!!