Play in steering wheel and outdrive

[Jersey Guy]

2000 Crownline 266BR
Bravo 3 Outdrive

The steering wheel has a 1 inch play from side to side and the boat drifts when moving a slow speeds. I also have to take turns wider than I did on my previous 21 foot boat.

The outdrive can also be moved by hand from side to side about 1 inch +

The boat is 21 years old and runs great. Do I repair it or let it go and what am I looking at in costs?

 

[Commander_47]

Check your steering cable.

Sloppy, stiff, loose lousy steering is almost always due to a stretched, rusty, kinked and old steering cable and linkage.

Easy to do. Can be a PITA to get to some areas though. I have done this myself on many boats.

Nice little link here to a kid doing the job on a different boat.

Getting rid of an otherwise really nice boat for a$100.00 - $200.00, or so, part might be like throwing out the baby with the bath water.

 

[Scott Danforth]

bow wander is common. however go back and look at the tiller arm when someone moves the outdrive

 

[Sunburn71]

Thought I would chime in here.... I have a 2000 Crownline 266 and had/ have the same problem. I had really bad play at the stern drive due to the gimbal ring/ tiller arm and pin being worn out. I fixed that and the boat was way better. I still have play at the steering wheel end due to a worn out steering cable. I would also note that the Crownline hull wanders worse than any other boat I've been on. It is probably why the steering gets worn out in the first place. I aim to replace the steering cable and will post up the process just to help others if possible.

 

[gr8knurlin]

Every boat I've ever owned "wanders" at slow speeds. The Regal fast track hull was the worst but even the Four Winns & Formula deep hulls wander. I had my gimbel, u-jointsand steering cables replaced and it was a little better but still had almost an inch play in the wheel/drive and at trolling speed requires constant correction. Up on plane she's tight as a nuns.... but when putting around they are all sloppy.