Lost my steering.

R

Rick D

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Oct 15, 2010
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32381
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799
This weekend, I was out in the sound and my starboard engine died and would not start up again... so I limped back to my slip on one engine. Problem is that my starboard engine controls my power steering so I had no power steering on the way back and the wheel is very hard to turn.

Then as I'm trying to back into my slip with one engine, my steering wheel suddenly goes completely slack and free wheels around 360 with absolutely no control over steering at all.

All this in a 15 knot wind and boats all around me... the fun ensued.

So, aside from the engine issue... which occurred after I replaced the coil, my concern is the steering. What did I break on the wheel to allow it to spin free as it does? I'm assuming there must be a hydrolic assisted box under the dash that the wheel connects with, right?

--Rick
 
Does your boat have hydralic steering? Many outdrive boats have cable steering. Should be a rack under the dash and cables to the outdrive arm in back of the engines. The power steering unit is in the engine room connected to the engine pump. That is hydraulic, like a car power steering.
 
quote:
Originally posted by lark

Does your boat have hydralic steering?

Click to expand...


Yes, as I noted in the original post. I have 2 power steering pumps... one on each engine, but it's my starboard engine pump that actually provides the assist.

Without the assist it was difficult to turn and I'm afraid doing so put to much strain on some component and it gave way. Suppose I need to start by looking at what the actual wheel physically connects to.

--Rick
 
Each engine is going to have a power steering pump. Only one will be operational. That is SOP.

This has nothing to do with what type of steering you have. I will assume that with a 1997 you have a steering cable that controls your steering and this cable snapped and needs to be replaced.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Clemensen

My guesses, woodruff key sheared, cable snapped, pin in gear/shaft sheared.

Click to expand...


Fingers crossed on the woodruff key being sheared.

--Rick
 
Rick, you seem to have lots of "adventures" since you got this boat. Though not fun to deal with, you are getting quite an education, huh? By the time you have dealt with these problems, you will be an expert on this particular boat!

Hang in there and don't get discouraged. It is all a part of boat ownership.
 
---edit--

"It is all a part of the joy of boat ownership." [:-bonc01]

All part of earning your "I know, but I'm not telling why I know" T-shirt.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

Rick, you seem to have lots of "adventures" since you got this boat. Though not fun to deal with, you are getting quite an education, huh? By the time you have dealt with these problems, you will be an expert on this particular boat!

Hang in there and don't get discouraged. It is all a part of boat ownership.

Click to expand...


Damn thing is going to be just about new when I'm done replacing pieces.

--Rick
 
Rick to avoid all the various issues you are having with a used boat I decided to have everything replaced and upgraded before I started cruising. It was expensive but I'm glad I did it. My older boat (1993) surveyed great and the sea trial went very well we drove the boat with the surveyor for over 2 hours. Within 3 months of me selling the old port 7.4L Crusaider engine spun rod bearings.
Sometimes if the deal is sweet enough and you want the 2012 version of a (insert year and boat model) I would recommend doing what I did. Now fast forward it has been 5 seasons since the refit/ repower and I still only have maintenence issues. The boat is reliable and I am only still dealing with upgrades to the electronics (toys) in the vessel. However it's my hobby and I like having all the toys.
The only thing I should/would have purchase the diesel version of the boat when I was looking for this model. If I had done that it would have resulted in either fresh diesels being installed or I might have left the original diesels in after the local Yanmar servicing company checked and tweaked the original 6LP engines these boats came with.
Bill
 
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