first trip out of the year

[ianmccabe3]

i have just had my first trip in my new boat maxum 18ft with 3.0l inboard
its the first time i have been out on her
so we got her out in exmouth for a couple of hours
all went well but i the steering is very heavy to turn left and right
it is non power steering cable control
is this normal
heres to next weenkend
hope someone could help

 

[oGaryo]

I had a binliner 1750 with 3.0l inboard as my first boat many many many years ago, well, 3 actually I had the same issue, ensuring the steering rods at back of the engine were well greased helped a little but I put it down to an aging steering gear issue.. can't recall the name nor the make up of the setup though.. teleflex maybe?

Certainly a world apart from the boat that replaced it and the boat after that, both had much easier steering.. solved the issue by selling the first boat to a river user who seemed happy with the way the boat handled.. does your symptoms getting better or worse at speed?

 

[ianmccabe3]

no it just seems very heavy when going along ok whennot moving
i will have a look at the cables and linkages
thanks
ian

 

[longjohnsilver]

Hi Ian, you certainly picked a good day for your first trip! Will you use the boat mostly on/around the Exe? It's my home stomping patch, lovely river for a small boat. Don't miss the floating caffe just off Starcross, opens again on April 1, owned by the son of a good mate.

Re your heavy steering, regrettably I think that's probably par for the course for non power steering. I had a RIB a few years back with a Yam 90 on the back and that was surprisingly heavy to steer, current RIB with a 150 hp Merc has hydraulic steering, light as a feather.

Maybe see you on the river sometime.

 

[enterprise]

If it's a cable, push pull type (teleflex) then it's highly likely that it's time for replacement, corrosion between the outer casing and the core can make them stiff, this usually free's off with use but will end up needing replacement.

Measure the one you have and buy a replacement, we had one on a 200hp Mariner years back, failed due to corrosion, new cable was half the effort that the old one had ever been.

 

[ianmccabe3]

hi yes we have a caravan at sandy bay so we are down their has much as poss
yes we have been to the cafe which is great
thanks for the info on the steering both will have to find new cable
is it possable to fit power steering or is that a bit of a mad idea
thanks
ian

 

[enterprise]

hi yes we have a caravan at sandy bay so we are down their has much as poss
yes we have been to the cafe which is great
thanks for the info on the steering both will have to find new cable
is it possable to fit power steering or is that a bit of a mad idea
thanks
ian

Hi Ian,
Retro fit Power steering is possible and recommended if power is above 150hp but cable systems are no effort if the cables are in good nick, another thing, the route which the cable takes to reach the OB, make sure its as bend free as possible, hence needing the correct length as not to have spare, no tight curves either as this introduces friction between outer case and core.

PS been over to Sandy bay and anchored just off a couple of times for lunch last season, maybe do the same again sometime this year.