[letsbarbq]

another quick question. am i getting into trouble if i purchase a yamaha 150 outboard that is hard to steer, but the compression checks and its fine! starts right up and is smooth though out the rpm range. i did some exterior checking and it looked like some of exterior fittings on the motor was rusted. ofcouse the v20 step lift was sitting for a year.the seller sprayed wd-40 on the steering cylinder on the outboard and it started to steer a little smoother and easier. i asked him why it was so tought to turn the steering wheel to the left or right... he said... "thats how you want it..?? that didnt make sense to me. can anyone tell me what i need to do in order to make it more easier to steer. it is a cheap buy and the boat is nice, or should just keep on looking for another.?clueless!

[John from Madison CT]

Worse case really is the need for a new steering cable. Usually around $100, and some labor. Easier to change on some boats than others.Granted in winter, they all seem to steer harder.John

[letsbarbq]

thanks john. do you know the compression for the 6 cylinders? i think it was around 80. is that the correct number?stranded on land!

[steve forsythe]

More important than the numbers.... are they the 'same' numbers? Find out if all cyl. are the same. As for the steering, you dont want 'loose' steering like a car or you would be correcting it back and forth a lot. It needs to be tight enough to stay on course while hitting waves with no hands on the wheel. Too tight is not good either because you need to be able to make a quick adjustment in an emerg.

[letsbarbq]

john and purse snatcher. yesterady i test drove a used wellcraft V20 step lift with a buddy..it was his. not for sale. he had a straight 6 stern 160 hp. it ran great. top at about 36, 2 of us during my lunch break. until we ran into the coast guard and sheriff on the river cuase a big navy ship was picking up supplies and heading to the afghanistan. (it was on the news.) so they made us get out fo the way ... and out of the water. hey...DO I LOOK LIKE A TERRORIST????? other than that, we went cruising and it was great. and today i had the luxury of test driving the same boat 88 model with the yammie that i am talking about. it drove great, fast as heck, shot out of the hole like crazy,,,strong, and it were well over 40 mph.the water pump was pumping good, the pee hole was straight down and we were cutting the waves and throwing waves far out to the sides....i was doing circles then jumping the wake and then 8s and then zig zag and all kind of stuff. i got a price quote on it and i think i found my new boat.now i need some help on the paint for the cowler. its faded cause its been out for the past 10 months. can ya tell me how to re do the teek wood. its faded. and the keel is kinda messed up...can i use fiberglass or bondo? or just get a keel guard and stick it on.....will that keel guard work?cause its like 120 for 6 foot - on the internet. but will it fly off???your help would be appreciated, !