Maybe my turn for new boat time

[flashback]

Calling chap is good.. and I hope you get some answers and satisfaction. I blame the dealership, the riggers are probably not provided the tech they need...

 

[alldodge]

I have the Dealer and Chap pointing fingers at one another

Contacted Chap about my 8 turns lock to lock issue, and they say the steering might need to be purged. They installed the Merc system but it's a Dealer issue now

Contacted Dealer about the 8 turns and service manager talks to 2 of their Techs and both agree 8 turns is no issue and have seen 10 or more.

Okey Dokey
I get a hold of the Verado V8 install manual and page 4 says

There are a few important installation guidelines that must be considered when installing the steering components on
multiengine installations. Installing the wrong steering helm and cylinder configuration may result in a less than acceptable
steering wheel lock‑to‑lock ratio.
• A 40 cc displacement helm should be used on single cylinder and liquid tie bar installations. This will yield 4 full turns,
lock to lock.
• A 50 cc displacement helm should be used on all dual cylinder installations rigged in parallel. This will yield 6.4 turns, lock
to lock.

So the max I should have is 6.5 do to dual engines

Also the steering doesn't lock per say, it just stops moving the motor but wheel can still be turned just a bot harder. I only did this once just to verify I'm against the stops

I've written up an email to Chap and dealer listing my finds and asking should I contact Mercury. Will send it in a bit once I proof read it a few more times

 

[tpenfield]

Wow . . . nightmare. Hopefully they will get it sorted out. It might be between the dealer and Mercury, but you would think Chappy would know how it should be set and do it at the factory.

 

[drewm3i]

Yeah, I'm never selling my old boat . In all seriousness, hope you get it resolved! I'd almost be demanding a new boat at this point and threatening to sue under lemon laws.

 

[alldodge]

Well that was a waste of time

In short - Dealer says they will check with Merc and get back and will fix at my conveniences

This turned out to be a message from Chap warranty saying

This unit is built to spec with the current helm and steering setup. Per Mercury this is available either way and it is determined by the builder which way they prefer as it only changes the lock to lock. Sorry for the confusion I hope this clears up any questions.

So nothing is going to change unless I pay to have it done. Have contacted a Merc repower center and will look into what will be required. They slow done around Turkey day so maybe then. Have to use dealer otherwise I void the warranty

 

[flashback]

Well depending on the cost it might be better to mod it yourself with OEM parts. The warranty seems a bit weak anyway...
I feel for you...

 

[Scott Danforth]

I agree, buy the helm and swap/purge

 

[alldodge]

OK, which one?
If I get a 50CC install manual says it "should" give me 6.5 LtoL. But can I get 4 to 5 with another, but then the question will it work? Will steering be to heavy?

I don't know but trying to research which would be correct

I don't even know which one I have installed now

 

[Scott Danforth]

My guess is you have a 40cc. I would go up to 50cc. (Based on prior post)

Would need to get numbers off helm

 

[alldodge]

Posted the same steering question on PSP and a guy mentioned about why it has 2 cylinders (one on each motor)? He has a set up for a 32 foot boat and it only uses one

The comment may be on to something. If Chap used a 40CC helm and it having 2 cylinders, this might be the reason there is 8 turns and not 6.5 turns. Chap is noted for building one boat and having all the drains, switches, other stuff even if the boat that is purchased did not have those options

Contacted Merc Tech support and asked if I could remove the hydraulic lines to one of the cylinders and just use the one, cap off the other one? The response is you need to contact a dealer.

OK, not having much luck getting info from the dealer but did send an email asking the question. I'll be surprised if I get an answer but would like to be surprised.

 

[alldodge]

No response from Dealer to my question about disconnecting one of the steering cylinders

Pulled the boat today and winterized, sure was a lot easier
Pumped water tank out. Pour 1.5 Gal RV AF in and that's all it took to run pink thru water syatem

Least I do get a "easy button" with the boat

Need to change oil and lube then take boat over to canvas guy

 

[QBhoy]

No response from Dealer to my question about disconnecting one of the steering cylinders

Pulled the boat today and winterized, sure was a lot easier
Pumped water tank out. Pour 1.5 Gal RV AF in and that's all it took to run pink thru water syatem

Least I do get a "easy button" with the boat

Need to change oil and lube then take boat over to canvas guy

You any pics of the steering set up at the engines AD ? Show me the rig there, the size of the supply pipes and the pump at the helm hub. Did they supply you with the bleed and fill kit it would have came with originally?

 

[alldodge]

The you tube link shows the initial set up and is joystick controlled. Mine doesn't have joy stick control so it has a tie bar between the 2 motors.

 

[QBhoy]

The you tube link shows the initial set up and is joystick controlled. Mine doesn't have joy stick control so it has a tie bar between the 2 motors.

Did you get anything with it at all AD ? Like a Bleed kit that loops out across the two vent/bleed valves ?

 

[alldodge]

Did you get anything with it at all AD ? Like a Bleed kit that loops out across the two vent/bleed valves ?

This is different then the typical hydraulic steering your thinking about. It's self bleeding and not the issue currently

 

[QBhoy]

This is different then the typical hydraulic steering your thinking about. It's self bleeding and not the issue currently

There are manual bleeding valves on that too AD. Almost certain of it. Sometimes all of the air doesn’t self bleed back to tank and it’s required. Only ever seen one system like this and never worked on one, but I’m almost sure of that much. Have a look at the hydraulic cylinder block itself. There is probably manual bleed valves. May not be the issue, but certainly worth doing a manual vent or bleed process, I’d think. Can’t do any harm.

 

[QBhoy]

This is different then the typical hydraulic steering your thinking about. It's self bleeding and not the issue currently

Just had a look through that video. Paused and took a screen shot. Put some wee yellow circles around the manual bleed vent valves. I think depending on where the reservoir is and the chance of it fighting against the other perhaps, there might be a chance of you maybe having to manually give it a go. Leave it with you and see what you think anyway. Here is a picture if it helps any. Best of luck either way. Hope you get it sorted.

 

[alldodge]

Air is not my problem

 

[QBhoy]

Air is not my problem

Understood AD. Hope you get it sorted. It was the mention of the wheel being able to be rotated after full lock on the engines steering that perhaps had me that way inclined. Presumably a relief valve must be doing that. Anyway. Don’t know anything about that particular system. I’m sure a man of your ability will have it sorted out soon enough. How are you getting on with her so far anyway ? Are you since converted to a 4 stroke outboard man perhaps ? How’s the performance and fuel use, compared to the lovely boat you had previously? Can I ask what props you run on her too ?

 

[alldodge]

Performs good, docking crappy, emergency steering is crap, fuel use averages around 2 to the Gal. Will stay with outboards because I don't want to deal with CAT's

Still wish Formula made one like I'm looking for