Boat steering

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Flyfisher

I have recently bought a boat and feel I have a steering problem. I have about an inch and a half of play on both sides of the center position. The boat is I/O has a power steering rack and pinion with a single cable to the rack.
It's a problem when moving slowly. I had a mechanic look at it and say it's within range of normal. It's been some time since I have been boating, but I don't remember having that type of play in the steering. Any help would be appreciated.

Steering slop is a given in a cable steering system, but there are some other things you need to know:

1.Mercruiser I/Os require routine checks of the torque on the gimbal ring pinch nuts. If those are loose the gimbal ring can wear and cause steering slop in the drive.

2. Mercruiser I/Os have a pinch bolt on the steering lever that can loosen up and cause wear on the steering lever and swivel shaft that will also cause slop.

For some reason, Volvo Penta I/Os don't seem to suffer from either of the problems described above.

3. All single engine I/O boats with V-hulls wander at low speed. Some are worse than others. With practice, you can stay ahead of it and maintain a straight course. If you wait until the boat has already turned, you are not staying ahead of it. This is not caused by steering slop and it's a well-known phenomenon, but probably not very well understood.

[ishoot308]

Dave's #3 above is definitely a common issue and worse on flat bottom or semi displacement hull boats.

My Eastern 22' is like this with its flat bottom semi displacement hull. In trailing seas it can be a real bear also!! Luckily its good attributes far outweigh its bad!!

Dan

[8gv]

Originally Posted by Dave R

Steering slop is a given in a cable steering system, but there are some other things you need to know:

1.Mercruiser I/Os require routine checks of the torque on the gimbal ring pinch nuts. If those are loose the gimbal ring can wear and cause steering slop in the drive.

2. Mercruiser I/Os have a pinch bolt on the steering lever that can loosen up and cause wear on the steering lever and swivel shaft that will also cause slop.

For some reason, Volvo Penta I/Os don't seem to suffer from either of the problems described above.

3. All single engine I/O boats with V-hulls wander at low speed. Some are worse than others. With practice, you can stay ahead of it and maintain a straight course. If you wait until the boat has already turned, you are not staying ahead of it. This is not caused by steering slop and it's a well-known phenomenon, but probably not very well understood.

Check #1 asap.

Loose is bad.

Loose for a long time is big $$$!