Pontoon Boat Steering Question

[jeep187]

i have a 21' Suntracker Fishin Barge with a 50hp Mercury

When im sitting still or going slow or in revrse the boat steers with ease.

When i start to go 1/2 to full throttle it becomes very very hard to steer even with both hands.

The cable moves free and the motor move free.

The motor is mounted all the way down on the transom from the factory

Thanks in advance

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

100% normal. if you want easy steering, install hydrolic steering.

 

[jeep187]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

Would raising the motor on the transom help at all. It is now mounted all the way down on the top hole.

The boat is not even enjoyable to drive

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

Raising the motor won't help with the steering and is likely to create ventilation problems.

As said earlier, this condition is normal for manual steering systems.

 

[jeep187]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

Thanks to both for the speedy response

 

[5150abf]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

Don't know Mercs but are there any grease fittings on the motor?

I would check for excessive wear on the pivot pin, almost sounds like it is binding up, mine gets a bit harder to steer but it still turns easily and I am nowhere near having to use both hands.

 

[sumcat1]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

I have a 21' Fish'n Barge with a 60hp Bigfoot and like any manual steering you encounter more steering resistance with speed but it's still a one hand job. Sounds like a bind in the steering tube. With the boat out of the water have someone apply rearward pressure on the lower unit and swing the moror side to side. Sounds like a rusty head bearing in a motorcycle.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

I agree something is up.Should be one hand operation. I would suspect the cable
If the motor pivot seems secure not overly worn and is easy to move motor by hand shold be ok though look for a pivot lube fitting and be sure you can indeed lube.

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

Mine does the same to a lesser degree. Remember, the prop is pushing the boat from the bottom of the engine, and the pivot is on the top. This puts a lot of pressure on the engine pivot. You said that the engine turns fine by hand, If it's on a trailer, have someone push forward on the lower unit, and see if it still turns easy. That will tell you if the pivot bearings are o.k. If you try to move the lower unit fore and aft it shouldn't move, and if it clunks, you need bearings.

 

[boatmor]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

Sounds like you need to adjust your trim tab-that's just above the prop.

 

[mike243]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

i have a 18' with a 50 & its not hard to turn ,no need for power steering with this size motor,i would be looking for a loose pod, bad bearing or something,mike243

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Pontoon Boat Steering Question

22ft Sweetwater with 60hp Yamaha and one handed steering at WOT. Your steering should not be that hard.
You should have grease fittings for it near motor.