Steering

[sbooy42]

The steering on our tooner is stiff and difficult for my wife to turn. So I plan on getting that fixed/replaced and changing the controls..
What type of steering would you recommend? Or is there something I should try before replacing? I have greased and lubed everything regularly.

Its has a rack right now but I'm thinking rotary..

The boat is 25" with a 115 evinrude

Thanks

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Steering

I think the rack is the better quality product than the rotary. I have rotary right now and it is tough to take with the 90 hp motor. I am thinking of going with a rack type, so I guess I'm as interested in the answers here as you are sbooy42.

One good thing about a rack type is (again I think!) is that you can drop the old cable off the bottom and change it out without removing the helm.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Steering

The standard for new boats is the NFB rotary, I went from rack to a rotary and love it.

I supose any new system will be better than the old one but most people go weith the rotary.

Imuss, I wonder if they bound the steering cable or something, you shouldn't be haveing problems with a 5 year old boat.

 

[sbooy42]

Re: Steering

Thanks for the replies.
I am leaning towards NFB rotary because everything I have read says it is a smoother system and the main reason for changing is to make it easier for my wife to steer. But I am going to play around with the rack that is installed and see if I can make it it smoother.. Think its may be a loss cause but worth a try..

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Steering

At any speed above mid-throttle, a 25 footer with a 115 is gonna require some effort to turn with either type of steering. So I suggest you first compare your steering to other boats your size. Otherwise, you could spend a fair amount of money and the DW may still not be able to steer the boat. If her steering the boat is an imperative objective, then you should consider hydraulic steering.

Good luck.

 

[sbooy42]

Re: Steering

No its at all speeds..slow is my main concern when docking and maneuvering in tight quarters, its annoying and could even be dangerous...

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Steering

If it steers hard at slow speeds, then my recommendation is to repair what you have. Rack steering should steer relatively easy at slow speeds. I'm not familiar with rotary steering, but I can't imagine it being much better than a properly working rack system. But perhaps it is because 5150 should know.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Steering

I don't know what I have but it sure is hard turning compaired to power steering. I have a 24 ft with a 90 Merc two stroke. 2007 model.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Steering

5150 I kind of thought the same thing about the 5 year old cable. They have it in a weird position, in that they ran it down the channel on top of the tube and then brought it over the M bracket to the inside before getting to the transom. It has a real hard turn in it to get it in the motor from there. I will try to reposition it some before I buy a new one.

I also have a ton of torque pulling to the right because I have to have my trim all the way in to keep the prop in the water. All of that is because of my 3rd tube putting turbulance back to the transom. The 3rd tube may have to come off of the boat yet. I really like the ride with it on and would like to keep it.

I bought a jackplate so I can get the motor a little deeper and I will pull the cable out and try to reroute it when I pull the engine off to mount the jackplate. I'll try to get it as far out against the outside of the M bracket as I can and make the most gradual turn into the engine possible. I hope to get rid of some of the torque steer when I get the motor deep enough, I know the tilt can't be all the way down without me having to always fight the torque.

Mine is the NFB rotary so I guess I'll stick with it and try to make it work. Thanks a lot for your input.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Steering

This is kinda of hokey but it works really well.

Get the cable out and get a bag heavy zip lok bag, cut the corner out and tape it to the end of the cable and fill the bag with oil then suspend the bag and cable from a roof joist or something and let it hang over night.

Gravity will work the oil down into the housing and there you go.

 

[sbooy42]

Re: Steering

This is kinda of hokey but it works really well.

Get the cable out and get a bag heavy zip lok bag, cut the corner out and tape it to the end of the cable and fill the bag with oil then suspend the bag and cable from a roof joist or something and let it hang over night.

Gravity will work the oil down into the housing and there you go.

Theres using your head... I'll have to give it a try