Steering issue

wellcraftv20step · #1 07-24-2017, 04:35 AM

I've noticed that my outboard turns more to starboard than it does to port,by about 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn. The steering is very smooth! It seems to be turning as far as it possibly can ,in other words the arm /rod is as far as it will go. I'm wondering if my drag link is to short and if I need or can get a longer one. I know my boat was originally twin 115's and now it's a single 250 .. any suggestions or thoughts

Destroyer · #2 07-24-2017, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wellcraftv20step

I've noticed that my outboard turns more to starboard than it does to port,by about 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn. The steering is very smooth! It seems to be turning as far as it possibly can ,in other words the arm /rod is as far as it will go. I'm wondering if my drag link is to short and if I need or can get a longer one. I know my boat was originally twin 115's and now it's a single 250 .. any suggestions or thoughts

I don't think I've ever owned a boat where the steering wasn't a little more to one side than the other. Personally, I adhere to the old saw about if it ain't broke don't fix it. Unless you think that it's creating a safety issue of some kind why mess with it?

As to adjusting the length of the steering arm, remember that whatever you add or take off is reflected on both sides of the turning radius. So, if you lengthen the arm for instance, the total amount of turn will be less and equal in both directions. About the only way I can think of to change the turning radius would be to physically move the end of the arm in relation to the center pivot point. But shortening or lengthening it will not achieve your goal.

wellcraftv20step · #3 07-24-2017, 03:11 PM

I too have noticed that The steering is mostly more to one side than the other. This just seems to be a little more than any boat I've ever owned. I guess I'll just have tolearn to live with it

THEFERMANATOR · #4 07-24-2017, 05:14 PM

I have yet to see a cable steering boat that didn't turn a good bit more to one side than the other. Hydraulic steering is normally centered up better in how it atatches, but anything with a drag link connection tends to be a bit lop sided.

steplift20 · #5 07-24-2017, 08:26 PM

Well
First of all you got the best of both worlds and what imean about that is you got two guys who know what there talking zbout
No need to look further

***129299;

wellcraftv20step · #6 07-25-2017, 07:22 PM

Mine is actually a Seastar Hydraulic steering, and I checked three other outboards today in hope of finding one as lopsided as mine and they all seemed to be a little closer to equal in the starboard vs port steering difference. But again like I said I have to learn to live with it !

spareparts · #7 07-25-2017, 07:51 PM

you can adjust it by swapping spacers on the shaft that goes thru the tilt tube

wellcraftv20step · #8 07-25-2017, 08:05 PM

Thanks guys, if I get a little bit of time I'll look it over. As always now I'll have a small amount of knowledge to draw from when and if I get time to get into it !

THEFERMANATOR · #9 07-25-2017, 11:31 PM

I believe the early ones had an adjustable barrel where it went through the tilt tube. I've got a baystar on my current boat and it's pretty good, but it does go more left than right. I know the seastar has more adjustability to it than the baystar.