View Full Version : Hard Steering/Turns?
Does anybody know what would cause hard steering on my boat when I make a left(I think) turn? I turn the other direction very easy.
If it's mechanical, can anyone recommend a shop in the Twin Cities.
(The boat is a 19' Alumacraft with a 150 Mercury)
Thanks for your help!
Turk.
Has it always been this way or is this something brand new? If it's always been this way it just sounds like "steering torque" to me. You can even this out by playing with the torque tab on the underside of the cavitation plate.
Best Regards,
FJH
stevefellegy
03-08-2002, 12:36 PM
Take a look at the "trim tab" and see if it is tipped one way or the other. That little guy can cause big steering problems. It is easily loosened and moved a hair. Play with it and you Might solve your problems. Just a wild guess....
Is it dual cable steering or single? Our single cable Alumacraft did the same thing with a 90hp, but on our dual cable Alumacraft with 150 it is quite easy to turn either direction, even when trimmed to max.
-Box
perchjerker
03-08-2002, 02:01 PM
Most motors have a little tab called a "torque tab" that directs water flow that is adjustable. Its not a "trim tab". Trim tabs are adjustable planes on eiter side of the transom. My old stern drive had one and adjusting it made all the differnce in the world. Before I messed with it, letting go of the steering would send the boat into a turn. After turning that tab (quite a bit, I might add) it was great after that adjustment. Might be worth looking into.
stevefellegy
03-08-2002, 02:10 PM
lol lol I just took one to many over the bow today! I stand corrected. As a matter of fact, I have trim tabs on my old 26' Lyman.
Geez...lol
perchjerker
03-08-2002, 02:25 PM
Shoot, bud!
You have forgotten more than I will ever know!!
Keep up the good work here, please! You are an asset more than you will ever know!!!
stevefellegy
03-08-2002, 02:39 PM
Worst part is...I'm forgettin' fast these days.lol
perchjerker
03-08-2002, 02:43 PM
My memory is fine, its just that my wife doesnt agree!!!!If I remember correctly... LOL
stevefellegy
03-08-2002, 02:45 PM
My favorite ex-wife NEVER let's me forget.....
Gary B
03-08-2002, 02:55 PM
Turk,
If the steering wheel turns easily both ways at idle, but is hard to turn one direction (but easy the other way) on plane, I am guessing this is normal. With full down trim it should be hard to turn left, and if you let go (but don't) it would want to turn right by itself. The reason is this: With the motor trimmed down each prop blade takes a bigger bite on the right side than they do on the left side. As the motor is trimmed up, you may notice this decrease, disappear, and maybe even pull the other way at fully trimmed up conditions. I understand that the NFB(no feedback) steering cable systems reduce or eliminate this. Hope this helps.
NFB and hydraulic steering will reduce or eliminate the effort necessary to hold the steering wheel in position, however, left turns can still be more difficult than right at certain trim angles.
Best Regards,
FJH
Gumbo
03-09-2002, 05:24 PM
Does the boat list?
curt quesnell
03-09-2002, 05:31 PM
Until I get up and running and the motor trimmed out my boat
pulls very hard to the left. After that there is no pull either
way. Maybe it is a problem with the trim. (not trim tabs)
Curt Quesnell
Reels
03-09-2002, 07:24 PM
I find if I have a "tight wheel" my trim is too high. Lowering the trim might help some.
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