loose steering

[cableguy63]

total newbie here, first boat, bought it used, 1986 mark twain sonic 160br, the steering seems to have a couple of inches of play in it. at no wake speeds it is a workout back and forth to keep the boat steered in proper direction. it appears t o be new steering components at the back of the boat, not sure about the cable. i put a new prop on it, had to remove small circular piece on lower unit with a fin on it so prop wouldnt hit it. it also has a hydrofoil on it currently. anyone have any ideas on how to tighten steering up so it goes straight and all you h ave to do is hold steering wheel where it is? at higher speeds it seem to steer just fine.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: loose steering

that circlular fin thing you took off is probably the steering stablizer.

get the right size prop for it, and get that mother back on...

 

[bhammer]

Re: loose steering

Welcome to iBoats. I would imagine that it is non power assist steering? The round thing you took off is the steering tab and is used to help you steer and keep the boat going in a true direction. Will probably resolve the issues your discuss. You need to either get a tab that will work with your prop or a prop that will work with your tab. I think you have gotten a prop that has too large of a diameter. Maybe the one you took off was 13" and you put on a 13 3/4 or something similar.

You need to prop the boat correct or you will have other performance / reliability issues.

 

[cableguy63]

Re: loose steering

i figured that might have something to do with it, i have put a call into the place i bought the prop to see what i could do there. also, through inspecting the steering arm at the back of the boat not sure what the proper name for things are, but there is a brass square piece that has the threaded part through it. there is a bolt running in from the top, looks as if it is there to hold it in place. it was loose, so i tightened it, but checking it as i was turning the wheel it didnt look like it had secured it well. there appears to also be a hole on the underside where possibly a bolt is also supposed to be maybe so both of the bolts lock it into place. looks like that could possible get rid of the play in the steering wheel, but any info would greatly be appreciated.