Thanks for the help

General Boats and Motors
1

Thanks for the help, mdaddy.
Mods, feel free to delete this post as I’ve sent boat to mechanic.
Thanks!

2
quote:
Originally posted by Moral Kiosk

  • For a number of trips out there have been times where boat is especially hard to steer left (more than it should be). After holding to the left for a while, when I first turn right there will be a cable-like popping sound behind the steering wheel. One loud pop when first turning.

  • When launching the boat from trailer about 6 trips ago, there was no steering. It was locked in place. I thought “maybe the prop’s sitting on the concrete landing” but when raised prop, still no steering. Looked around, saw no issues, but then randomly worked. Have no idea what changed. Launched the boat and steered normally the whole day and the next 4-5 trips out as well.

  • Yesterday, put the boat in and, when launching, again had no steering. Locked in place. No loose cables or anything out of the ordinary that I could see. I left the boat on the trailer and looked behind the steering wheel at connections and all connections that I could see on the motor. Nothing missing, kinked, etc. Wouldn’t work for 5-10 minutes so I almost pulled the boat out. Before leaving I turned the wheel pretty hard and it “popped” free. Then steering worked. Launched the boat and cautiously rode around the landing. Steering was abnormally tight, but worked. Same thing with turning: it was especially hard to left, even at low speeds, then a “pop” when turning back to right. Crossed the river and fished (I know, it’s a bad addiction) within sight of ramp for a few hours (have a trolling motor in case of failure). Steering worked and seemed to loosen up. Rode back to ramp and left.

Obviously, there’s a problem. You guys know what it is?

Your steering tube on your motor needs to be reamed out. The popping noise is the gears in your steering head slipping on the steering cable. A

3

Thanks so much, mdaddy. The setup on my boat won’t allow me to remove the tube without removing the motor, unfortunately. I’m gonna have to take it in for the repair. I appreciate the ■■■■■■■■.

4
quote:
Originally posted by Moral Kiosk

Thanks so much, mdaddy. The setup on my boat won’t allow me to remove the tube without removing the motor, unfortunately. I’m gonna have to take it in for the repair. I appreciate the ■■■■■■■■.

You don’t need to remove the tube…just the steering cable that goes into it. The tube is what needs reaming.

5

Got it. Thanks again.