Hard steering

[Brians84]

I have a 1973 omega 19ft with a 165 hp mercruiser. I installed a happy troller trolling plate which works very well . But my question is when I have it in the up position the boat is very hard to steer would that plate be causing that? I know the obvious answer is to take it off and try it and I've never driven the boat without it but am just trying to others opinion before I do.
Thanks

 

[cptbill]

Is it cable or Hydraulic Steering? I assume(or maybe I shouldn't) that the trolling motor is out of the water completely