Stiff steering and serious wandering

[Capt. Bob]

I have just bought a 1986 Bayliner 2850 Contessa Command Bridge and during the seatrial I noticed that the steering was pretty stiff. The boat has a tendency to wander badly at 1000 to 1200 rpm. It seems to be more than typical V-hull wandering as it wouldn't return if left to its own course. The boat is seriously overproped and I have a separate post for that. It was a cold day and a short seatrial so the gear could have been cold but it does have power steering with an engine mounted pump that had a full reservoir.<br />Any ideas of what to check for when I haul the boat next week?

 

[golfer]

Re: Stiff steering and serious wandering

I cannot account for the wandering, but I can tell you my opinion on the steering...I had a Baja years ago (before I knew what a good boat was) and the steering got stiffer and stiffer. I took it to my mechanic, turns out everything was fine except for the cable itself. The cable leading from the steering wheel to the steering at the outdrive, was freezing up with corrosion. Once replaced, the steering was fine, but still had the problem of owning a Baja...Not anymore, graduated to a Fountain

 

[Mufasa]

Re: Stiff steering and serious wandering

I suspect that you have a Volvo-Penta unit. The steering was sloppy when they were new. There are too many pivots and the play in the system just multiplies. The stiffness is a separate problem. If it is using a push-pull cable average life span is about 10 years and you have a long cable run to make. This is the most likley but not the only possable culprit.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: Stiff steering and serious wandering

Thanks for the replies guys...I will be hauling the boat this week for repairs and updates. The cable will be the first thing I check.

 

[charleswmoore]

Re: Stiff steering and serious wandering

A concern I have with the volvo power stearing mechanism is that the mechanism will actually get<br />hard to slide over itself do to lack of lubrication. On my drive when this occurs the steering is actually fighting the power steering unit. A single squirt of WD40 will fix this almost immediately. Just a thought <br />Charlie

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stiff steering and serious wandering

I'd Bet Money on the steering Cable, for the stiffness......<br />You'll want to Inspect the gimbal ring,+ housing for your Play issue..... Don't forget the tiller arm on the top/inside......