Mulligan18
Cadet
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2016
- Messages
- 23
Friends,
I have a 1994 StarCraft 1810ss Merc 4.3. I have some steering problems at low speed. Forgive me for being long winded. There is much detail to cover. I purchased this boat last year and from the first dip I noticed a crazy amount of steering play at slow speed. I literally had to turn the wheel close to 180 degrees back and forth to maintain course. Upon inspection, I noticed slop at the aft end of the cable - between the cable jacket and mounting nut. I thought I could snug it up but it would not move. I replaced the cable, rack and helm with a new SeaStar unit - part number 14114. When dismantling the old tilt-helm I found some play in these components probably contributing to the problem. The new cable and rack required the new helm - unfortunately giving up the tilt. The new cable was difficult to mount at the aft end. Much effort was needed to draw that tight but in the end there was no longer any slop between the jacket and mounting nut. When launching the boat, I was very disappointed to have the same problem - not as bad but, bad. I have inspected all of the steering components from the cable to down deep into the outdrive and find nothing wrong. Going back up to the helm, I find a great deal of slop at the rack. There is plenty of movement of the wheel before anything moves at the aft end. So, this is probably part of my problem but not everything. I would very much appreciate advice and feedback here. Is there a better rack on the market? Alternatives to a rack? Moving on, I do not have much knowledge of the mechanics of power steering but I wonder if I have a problem here as well. I wonder if the power components are not responding well when moving the wheel. I checked the fluid and found it to be as bad as I had ever seen - probably original. I drew it out and a replaced with new fluid - a type that is supposed to help rejuvenate old pumps. I used it in my car with great results so I assume it might improve the pump in the boat. After a while, I think I might have some improvement but the steering is still very annoying. Any advice here? My last thought is that my problem might be due in whole or part the design of the hull. In this regard, I would very much like to hear from anyone who owns or has experience with the 1810ss. Is it possible that this hull design just does not like to track straight when going slow? This boat does not like to go slow in any event. Between idle and plane, it is bow up and transom squatted down. It just plows through the water that way. I did end up putting a foil on the outdrive which does make the boat much more manageable at low speeds and also allows for quicker planning. It's nor crazy good like advertised but it is truly a very nice improvement. I'd say the steering might be a little better but that feeling might be because the boat is just better overall with the foil. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
JBB
I have a 1994 StarCraft 1810ss Merc 4.3. I have some steering problems at low speed. Forgive me for being long winded. There is much detail to cover. I purchased this boat last year and from the first dip I noticed a crazy amount of steering play at slow speed. I literally had to turn the wheel close to 180 degrees back and forth to maintain course. Upon inspection, I noticed slop at the aft end of the cable - between the cable jacket and mounting nut. I thought I could snug it up but it would not move. I replaced the cable, rack and helm with a new SeaStar unit - part number 14114. When dismantling the old tilt-helm I found some play in these components probably contributing to the problem. The new cable and rack required the new helm - unfortunately giving up the tilt. The new cable was difficult to mount at the aft end. Much effort was needed to draw that tight but in the end there was no longer any slop between the jacket and mounting nut. When launching the boat, I was very disappointed to have the same problem - not as bad but, bad. I have inspected all of the steering components from the cable to down deep into the outdrive and find nothing wrong. Going back up to the helm, I find a great deal of slop at the rack. There is plenty of movement of the wheel before anything moves at the aft end. So, this is probably part of my problem but not everything. I would very much appreciate advice and feedback here. Is there a better rack on the market? Alternatives to a rack? Moving on, I do not have much knowledge of the mechanics of power steering but I wonder if I have a problem here as well. I wonder if the power components are not responding well when moving the wheel. I checked the fluid and found it to be as bad as I had ever seen - probably original. I drew it out and a replaced with new fluid - a type that is supposed to help rejuvenate old pumps. I used it in my car with great results so I assume it might improve the pump in the boat. After a while, I think I might have some improvement but the steering is still very annoying. Any advice here? My last thought is that my problem might be due in whole or part the design of the hull. In this regard, I would very much like to hear from anyone who owns or has experience with the 1810ss. Is it possible that this hull design just does not like to track straight when going slow? This boat does not like to go slow in any event. Between idle and plane, it is bow up and transom squatted down. It just plows through the water that way. I did end up putting a foil on the outdrive which does make the boat much more manageable at low speeds and also allows for quicker planning. It's nor crazy good like advertised but it is truly a very nice improvement. I'd say the steering might be a little better but that feeling might be because the boat is just better overall with the foil. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
JBB