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Mark5795.
Do you have hydraulic steering? Ive never seen low fluid cause “hard steering”. Usually it causes “no steering” when the helm pump starts to pump air which compresses nicely and wont move the ram… In a cable steering system, hard steering can be caused by engine being too high, cables needing replacement (or at least extensive lubrication), worn out helm gears, particularly with no-feedback helms, and even a bad swivel bracket on the O/B. But the first question is, what kind of steering does it have? That makes a difference in how to answer your question…2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
hydraulic steering. it did seem to have about an inch of play in each direction in the steering wheel as well.Last edited by xm sean on April 20th, 2008, 5:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
your engine is too high. the slop may be a little air in the lines, but is more than likely the nature of older hydraulic steering systems. do make sure all the components are tight back at the engine. these components need to be checked often.
i know that BCB preaches to have a touch of torque at the wheel when guys are trying to dial in there jackplate height, but is this the kind of torque they refer to? a pulling torque, or just having a little pressure on the wheel when trying to turn right or left?
This is a left-right issue if it is engine height. Engine torque makes the boat pull to one side only, and at high engine settings, that results in much more effort to turn in one direction than in the other. If it is hard to turn in both directions, that is not normal, as usually hydraulic steering feels somewhat like power steering in a car in that little effort is required. What about turning the wheel when the boat is on the trailer? Still tough? if so, theres some mechanical problem that needs resolving…2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
The P4 really likes the engine low on the jackplate. I know mine, and most i know are at or below flush shen looking at the inner/ outer plates, mine is actually about 3/8″ below flush, and i still have plenty of torque, but boat doesnt “pull” right. The P4 is a totally different hull than any other Cats, so its unique in its set-up, and not comparable to the other hulls, but has a great ride, and fishability, and when properly set-up will run with anything out there in its class. Good luck with your set-up, but sounds like your engine needs to be lowered. D.
had her out saturday and noticed that it steering was tight when turning left only. i am about 3/8 of an inch higher then the fixed plate at this point on the JP. should i just down to flush and try her again to see if t here is additional info that may help figure this out max speed was 65 with the pedal mashed rpms were 5400 water presure was 20 at wot and between 1-2 at idle do you think that lowering the motor at this point will give me the last couple hundred rpms and inprove my steering? i also noticed that if i look back at the silver rod that slides in and out when turning…… it seems to look like there is less rod on the left then the right when i have the motor centered for going straight. is this normal? sorry for all the novice questions.
Sorry this is not a basscat but same concept hoping someone can help me. 1992 Boat with Force 70hp outboard. The steering acts frozen but if you take the end nut off you can move the steering out as far as the arm allows before it would hit the boat side. It appears that maybe the rods in the greased area are 2 piece and whatever holds them together is broken? It seems to heavy a rod to be broken but I know nothing of what the inside of these steering mechanisms look like..Thanks for any help sorry not a BCB boat but I guess it will help me if I ever need to work on mine…
All motors turn easier one way than the other, the more power and the higher the engine the greater the torque. Therefore effort on the steering wheel. Try lowering the engine a little at a time I think you will find a comfrt level for you. The chine comes from balancing on the pad the torque wants to twist te boat one way and the driver needs to balance the boat. In my opinion to make a relativley small v hull like most bass boats get to higher speeds all will want to chine to some extent without corrective input from the operator.irv
x2 on the experimentation with the trim. My PIV loves to have the nose up and a fairly large roostertail, 04 200 Opti. But then again I just got my prop reworked to a 26p and have yet to try it out so that may change. Also, I will get a little chine but not much at 67. Again, havent hit 70 yet so…- Chaz
You may try dropping the jack plate about 1/2″ and see if that helps.
b2 -I just got back from testing. At 68.4mph I was chine walking like a mother. I just dropped the jackplate 1/2″ like BCB recommended. Tomorrow will tell, as long as the big boats stay off the intracoastal.- Chaz
Yeah I was told to try experimenting with lowering the jack plate. As a drag racing builder/mechanic/driver (7.95@205mph) I have to ask if there is a torque setting for those bolts that lock down the adjustment or is it blue locktite and tight?Builder of fine Bass Fishing RodsReel Bearing and Drag upgrades.B2 Custom RodsBoca Bearings
No LokTite And we just tension them as they have. A lock washer and torque is hard to read.
the rod inside is actually only 1/4″ in thickness and often they break in the center connection to the end piece. Though more likely is the potential that the cable jacket wrapping is small wire of about 1/16″ or less wound around that center stem. Once the steering gets tight and rust inside, it will shoot that center section out into the wrapping and the steering will lock up.
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