Steering torque

I have a 1990 cuddy v20 with a 165 mercruiser. I am the original owner and since new it has a lot of torque on the wheel from the drive. If you let go it veer to one side. I have manual steering that came with the boat .

I read the articles on no feedback teleflex. Would that solve the problem and if not has anyone come up with a low cost solution. I also heard that stingray hydro fins now have a steering torque option. No to keen on drilling holes in the drive if I dont have to.

thanks Kevin

[macojoe]

Well i have a 1975 V20 cuddy and I have had it for 6 yeras now. The first 5 years it had the 165 I/O and it always did the same thing!! And I adjusted all the stuff and put a no feed back steering and still it did it!!

I was told that if I put trim tabs and got the boat leavel it would stop?? But I converted it to a outboard and installed the bracket. I no longer have the problem!! :D

I have a stingray foil and was always the same?? but had no steering torque.

Thanks! I was thinking of going to the NFB steering with a higher gear ratio. Not sure I will bother if it did nothing for yours.

Kevin

[macojoe]

Well see what others say? Maybe I didn't do something right?? but it always did it??

[labii]

I just replaced my steering on my 150 hp outboard with no feedback teleflex . I am well pleased with it . I am getting no feedback at all !

[Crusher]

Burkeke, Have you adjusted the rudder zink (or is it even there) on the cavitation plate. My steering would always spin violently to the right if you let go of the wheel and a constant fight to keep it on course also boat would wonder side to side at slow speed. Hard to beleive that by turning zink 7 to 10 deg. would make that big of differance on such a small surface, but it did. They loosen, corrode or fall of often. I just went outside to see witch way I had turned it and its missing again. I think the rule is you turn it opposite the way you think. Looking from behind boat I turned the trailing edge to the right I beleive. Adj, when you have it right remove again lock tite bolt. No feed back or hydl steering is the way to go but this might be cheaper for now. Crusher

[chumbucket]

Crusher hit the nail on the head. While NFB steering is good, it will not correct steering torque. It will diminish the effects, but again, will not correct the problem.
Almost all boats will have a tendency to steer and fall off plane to starboard. It's generally caused by a couple of things such as prop rotation, driver of the boat on the starboard side (weight shift factor), etc.
The small zinc trim tab right above the prop is there to compensate for the steering torque. The angle of the tab can be adjusted very easily. Right above the tab, you should see some sort of cap (may be missing depending on the previous or current owners). Pop the cap off and down inside there will be a socket head cap screw. Make a mark or take note of the current position of the tab (some have degree marks. some don't), then loosen the socket head cap screw with the right size Allen Wrench. You shouldn't need to remove the screw unless you're changing the tab completely. Then just try varying degrees of angle change until the problem goes away.

Just to add to the NFB equation. I installed one on my V20 Fish and I am very happy with results.
I can now let go of the wheel at any speed and trim and the boat will track straight.
Definetly a worthy expense for us OB guys.

CBUZZ

Hey guys, I've always wonderd why my IO did the same thing. I have noticed that my zink fin (anode) is just about gone. Iwill change out that puppy when I next slip her. Thanks for the useful info.
Bermuda Guy ;)