My boat steering is pretty stiff when the boat is not planed out. When I say stiff I mean in need two hands to turn the wheel. Its hard for me to maneuver the boat around other boats on the boat ramp. Once the boat is planed out the steering is pretty effortless but still some what stiff. I am comparing it to my friends rig. The turning of the wheel on his rig is effort less on plane or not on plane. And the boat was easy to maneuver around other boats as well. Thats when I started wondering if there is something wrong with mine. Any suggestions???

Does you boat have hydraulic steering or manual cable steering? How about your friends boat?

Both have cable steering.

Take the cables loose from the motor and see how easy it is to turn. They should be very easy, like butter. If there is any restriction you need to either clean you cables or have them replaced.
It also could be the rack or rotary steering helm (attached to the steering wheel).

If its just hard to turn its probably the cables. If it has "hitches" in the steering it would point me towards looking at the helm.


Thats where I would be looking anyway.

FYI; we built the cable oiler tool that uses air pressure to force the oil down the cable. Wish I would have spent my time drinking beer instead, It helps, but it's like putting a bandaid on cancer. Sooner or later you will need to remove it and replace it.

No disrespect to Mike, but I built the same rig and used it on my cables over two years ago and my steering is still smoother now than it ever has been. As For lube I used transmission fluid and it took about 24 hours and about 100psi to work but it did and for about 10 dollars in materials and a little time I gained two years and counting on a set of cables I could not be happier.

ML

Oh I'mnot saying it did'nt work. Just saying that most of the time when a cable tightens up, it's just better to replace.

Whats more less a good price to replace the cables? As far as I can remember my boat has had stiff steering since it came out of the lot. Should I call my boat dealer?

Think hydraulic steering !!!! Best money you can spend

agrees with keneth

Depending on which steering system you have, I.E. rotary or rack, the cables retail for around $130.

Went through 3 set of cables then bit the bullit and went with sea star hydralic on my 374Ranger,best money ive spent on it.If you like the boat go for it.

i just replaced my cables and helm and the total from north texas marine was 327.00. now that i know how to do it, it was really easy. i wanted hydraulic, but that was 1200 if i installed it myself, and 1700 at plano marine. glad i did it myself, i learned alot about my skeeter that i didnt know.