Tough steering!!!

[Swass]

Just bought my first boat. It is a 98 bayliner1950 and first time out and it steers like a 4 wheel drive truck with flat tires only while in the water. When looking at the prop the fin above it is turned to the left but besides that I have no clue please advise

 

[QC]

Welcome aboard Swass. We'll certainly do our best to get you going. Maybe start by elaborating a little more. Do you mean hard steering effort? What speeds? What direction? There are number of steering differences between a boat and a car (or 4x4). Let's narrow it down and then we can comment. Possible entirely normal. Oh, what engine package? Power steering? I believe the 1950 is an the 3.0 I/O only, so that would be manual steering. effort will be very hard at certain speeds and depend on precisely what you note, correct adjustment of that little fin (trim tab). Annnnndddd, adjustment of that fin will be nothing but a compromise as there will be tough speeds for sure. But we may be able to make it more comfortable where you run it the most.

 

[Swass]

It may have been a little tougher to the right at pretty much any speed. I have driven some chaparrals that were not that hard. I hope there is something I can change but if not I will get used to it.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... What motor, 'n drive,..?? Outboard,..??

Does the steerin' turn easily on the wagon,..??

How 'bout trollin' speeds,..??

Were ya trimmin' up abit, on plane,..??

 

[Swass]

3L yes yes and no

 

[Fleetwin]

If it's a base 3.0, you probably don't have Power Steering. If you are a scrounger and good with your hands, you can add it.

Or, add Hydraulic steering.

 

[Bondo]

3L yes yes and no

Ayuh,.... Probably the answer,...

 

[GA_Boater]

When looking at the prop the fin above it is turned to the left

The anode fin is to offset steering torque. If the boat steers harder one way than the other, which I think I read, rotate the fin to the right. Most Mercruisers have the fin to the right to balance the torque. Just something quick and easy to try, Swass.