Floppy wheel!

[Benco]

Morning all,

Need to pick some brains!
We've got a Monterey 218 with a mercuiser v6 and an alpha one drive. There is a bit of play in the steering wheel left to right before actually moving the leg. Being new to boating I assume there shouldn't be any play, so any ideas on a fix?
Also, not sure if it is related but at slow speeds (6knots) it zigzags a little without moving the wheel? When you're up on the plane it's fine.
Any thoughts greatly received.

 

[James L]

as far as I'm aware that's normal, I had a merc v8 with alpha one drive on my last boat and had play in the steering, but never caused any problems.
But of course that will depend on how much play there is, if you're turning the wheel half a rotation before anything happens then yes you have a problem, but I think a small bit of play is fine.

As for the zigzagging at slow speed, that's completely normal for an outdrive, especially an alpha one with a single prop. You just need to learn not to overcompensate when it starts to happen.

 

[Benco]

The play is minimal, probably just being a little picky! Well that is good to know anyway.

To start with I definitely did overcompensate but now just pretty much let it do its thing.

Pretty good fun this boating lark!

 

[colingr]

Yep, all pretty normal. Planing hulls are a bugger at low speeds. Let it drift a bit and don't over compensate.

Our Monterey 214 behaves exactly the same, including the bit of play in the steering. It disappears once up on the plane.

 

[James L]

The play is minimal, probably just being a little picky! Well that is good to know anyway.

To start with I definitely did overcompensate but now just pretty much let it do its thing.

Pretty good fun this boating lark!

yeah, sure is.

I found the Alpha one likes to be pushed, it's not happy at low power. Especially if you're going down the backs of waves, I initially used to ease off the power but the prop would lose grip and I'd be pushed around. Once I learned to keep the power on it became a lot less stressful and fun

 

[mlines]

Also the power steering system is fairly primitive. It consists of a sliding valve that slides left to right from a central position. Therefore there is a "dead" spot in the centre of the valve which is the central steering point. The slider moves either side and opens the relevant hydraulic valve. Therefore there is a small movement either side of centre before the valve opens. This creates a strange feel (compared to a car) where the steering seems to suddenly kicks in as you steer. Being a valve its either on/off and there is no progression.

 

[Benco]

James L - Interesting what you say about being pushed around, I've noticed this a lot but likewise I back off for some waves, I shall try powering on through next time! Just don't want to crash her about too much!

 

[James L]

James L - Interesting what you say about being pushed around, I've noticed this a lot but likewise I back off for some waves, I shall try powering on through next time! Just don't want to crash her about too much!

It shouldn't involve much crashing about, I just needed to keep the same power on and only with the waves behind me where the apparent wavelength is much longer.

 

[Benco]

Sorry, I'm with you now.

 

[rafiki_]

There is a tendency to "oversteer" boats with outdrives, that is apply too much correction, until you get used to the feel. With a bit of practice you will learn to minimize your input, soft hands on the wheel, and the overcorrection will gradually fade.

 

[Kawasaki]

There is a tendency to "oversteer" boats with outdrives, that is apply too much correction, until you get used to the feel. With a bit of practice you will learn to minimize your input, soft hands on the wheel, and the overcorrection will gradually fade.

Yes good advice raf m8, bit more advice keep one hand on the wheel and tother on the throttle, good practice anyway
Then your 'imput' will be less and you will 'feel' the vessel better like innit
Don't try to 'drive' like a car cos the 'road' yer on is moving anyway, let the boat sort itself out kinda

 

[Barleycorn]

You could check the steering arm on the outdrive. There is a square clamp that clamps onto the outdrive to steer. I had a Fletcher on which this was worn. There used to be a kit to tighten it up, by drilling through the side of the outdrive housing with a hole saw, otherwise you have to take the engine out. I replaced the bolt with a 12.9 high tensile one and it cured it.