steering wheel play, 1998 chaparral 240 cruiser Merc 5.7

[tomconnolly]

I just bought a used boat and there seems to be excessive play in the steering noticable particularly at idle speed. Anyone seen this before and have an idea how to eliminate this excess play?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Are you sure you are simply not experiencing low speed v-hull wander?

All single prop v-hull boats suffer from it

 

[tomconnolly]

Are you sure you are simply not experiencing low speed v-hull wander?

All single prop v-hull boats suffer from it

I also experience that, although it's a dual prop bravo 3 outboard. there's about 20 degrees of steering wheel play at idle speed before I feel and see the outboard move.

 

[Scott Danforth]

then look at the tiller arm in back, however bow wander is most likely

 

[Grub54891]

I second the tiller arm. Most tech's don't know it, but it should be checked when the drive is serviced. There is a torque spec for the pinch bolts. If they are loose, it will eat away at the square arm and ruin it.