Stiff Steering '84 90hp V4

[stevetedder]

Steering stiff to the right and ok to the left while underway fine when stationary.seems to track ok. Trim tab seems to be fairly straight, maybe to the left a little. The skeg seems to be a little bent. Is it supposed to be lined up perfectly straight ? Or is it like the trim tab and a little offset? If it is supposed to be straight any suggestions on straightening it without damaging the aluminum? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Pic included (I think) ok so Im a newby here.
Thanks, Steve

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Stiff Steering '84 90hp V4

a) Leave the skeg alone, it's only there to protect the prop
b) The torque tab is there to balance the steering forces - if the boat tends to go to port at WOT, move the tab to port a little until the steering is neutral @ WOT. It's not "supposed" to be lined up with anything.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Stiff Steering '84 90hp V4

All higher hp engines tend to pull to the right. It is worse the more hp you have. A normal situation that occurs on right hand turning propeller engines. I have not found the trim tab to be of much assistance, as some of them are partially out of the water at full trim anyway. You can live with it or change parts of your steering system to reduce the pull. (a no-feeback steering gear would help.)

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Stiff Steering '84 90hp V4

Agree with the above.
Welcome to iboats.

 

[stevetedder]

Re: Stiff Steering '84 90hp V4

It doesnt seem to pull one way or the other at all, it is just really difficult to turn right while in motion, but while sitting still there is no resistance to turn either way. Is that normal for larger HP engines? Should I leave the skeg alone and maybe adjust the trim tab a little? It just seems this should be an easy fix.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Stiff Steering '84 90hp V4

Adjust the trim tab. If the boat pulls to the right, move the back of the trim tab to the right. Change in small increments.

The trim tab works by deflecting the water that is thrown at it by the propeller, not by water flowing by the motor. The higher the RPM, the more force involved.

Check that your motor is perfectly centered on the transom, vertically as well as horizontally.

 

[stevetedder]

Re: Stiff Steering '84 90hp V4

@ Ezeke,
I think you figured it out for me. I stepped back, looked at the whole outboard position and the lower unit is more to the right and the top is more to the left, stuck a level on trailer crossbeam, a railing and then on top of motor to confirm. Will have to replace the mounting boards in a year or two so I will just live with it this summer and then try to get it a little straighter than the last guy did. I do wonder if moving the trim tab might help compensate for it in the meantime .

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Stiff Steering '84 90hp V4

It will and it's easy.