Stiff Steering on a Fairline Carrera Twin

[RCKWilson]

Hi

I wonder if anyone can help in my problem.

My Carrera does not have powered steering and wondered how stiff the steering would be under normal conditions. Having finally launched my boat yesterday I found the steering quite stiff. Very similar to a car without the power steering.
I thought it could be the connecting cable so I removed the steering arm from the steering cable and the wheel moved easily. On reattaching it back it was the same.
I am hoping it might free up as the boat hasn't been used much for 18 months.
Can anyone offer some advice on my next step or a solution. Should I get the boat out and get the drives off and check bearings etc? I have greased everything.

Many Thanks in advance.

Richard

 

[Chris_d]

I often drive my twin outdrive boat with only one engine on the river and if its the engine without the power steering pump on it is quite heavy, just like a car without power steering

Are you sure you haven't got power steering and the belt has just come off? twin outdrives are very heavy to move without it, I certainly can't manouvere without starting the other engine but its just about ok for cruising along at river speeds.

 

[JKay]

I have the same boat as him and there is no power steering,since setting up the trim of the outdrives the steering at low speed is fine on the plane though "Arnold" would even struggle
it's a both hands and full bicep job

 

[RCKWilson]

Thanks for the input. So getting it out,taking the drives off and new bearings is unlikely to help a great deal. Has anyone ever added power steering and if so was it worth it. My boat will only ever be used on the river.
A guy also suggested extra fins bolted to each outdrive to aid steering. Does anyone have experience in this?

Thanks again.

 

[CX54WEK]

Thanks for the input. So getting it out,taking the drives off and new bearings is unlikely to help a great deal. Has anyone ever added power steering and if so was it worth it. My boat will only ever be used on the river.
A guy also suggested extra fins bolted to each outdrive to aid steering. Does anyone have experience in this?

Thanks again.

Steering shouldnt be too bad with twins, assuming they are set up right. Try a single stern drive if you think your twins wander around!!

 

[JKay]

Thanks for the input. So getting it out,taking the drives off and new bearings is unlikely to help a great deal. Has anyone ever added power steering and if so was it worth it. My boat will only ever be used on the river.
A guy also suggested extra fins bolted to each outdrive to aid steering. Does anyone have experience in this?

Thanks again.

setting the offset of the direction in which the legs faced made a lot of difference, I seem to remember the port leg facing inwards at about 5 degrees with the starboard leg at about 20 degrees I'll try and confirm that for you or someone here may be able to confirm that
You will get used to it anyway

 

[RCKWilson]

Hi Jkay.

Can you explain what the offsets will do and how they can help. it's great to hear there may be a solution which will in some way help.

Many Thanks.

 

[macnorton]

Had the same problem on my old boat with twin VP drives, I fitted hydraulic steering which sorted it.

Thats one option?