Power steering

[MOWtown]

2 questions:
How does your power steering feel? As effortless as a car's power steering or with a little more resistance? Mine feels real tight. I've heard that boats power steering is stiffer than auto. True? (BTW, it's rotary )

How much "slop" do you have in your outdrives. My drive (bravo 1) moves back and forth about an inch and I noticed this on another newer boat but my friends Alpha doesn't have any slop at all. Any info would help...

Mike

[OutCole'd]

Mike, my power steering is also tight, I have had it checked out by two shops and they both tell me it is working normal. I think my drive has about an inch or so play in it also.

[MOWtown]

Bill, well maybe I don't have a problem (with the boat! ). When you're cruising slowly do you have to constantly correct your steering from wandering?

[OutCole'd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (MOWtown @ May 12 2003, 1:51 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Bill, well maybe I don't have a problem (with the boat! ). Â*When you're cruising slowly do you have to constantly correct your steering from wandering?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Yes, Cruising slow sucks especially with my scrawny arms. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[red_n_vegas]

Try a Jet Boat ..I look like I am tacking...lol I have yet got that f$%^ing boat to go straight going slow.

[Rude]

mike, the steering on my boat is pretty tight also. it's no where near the power steering on a car. as far as my drive, it has no play in it, it's a bravo xz drive with imco hydraulic steering.

[MOWtown]

Okay, then I'm probably OK. Thanks for your input. I'm still getting over my old v-drives with a nice big rudder. Not used to all of the little outdrive characteristics. No thanks on the jet offer. Then I wouldn't have any reason to go see Kevin at R&R Prop shop about twice a summer http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Red Horse]

V bottom boats just have an inherent wander. Next time you are out, get the lower unit straight and roll off the throttle till idle. Keep the wheel straight and it will wander one way and then the other. If you notice also, at cruise a deep v will also lean into a beam wind.

[Essex502]

I've been told that when converting to external, hydraulic steering the "wandering" is eliminated or greatly reduced. True?

[MOWtown]

Red, for arguments sake, my last boat, a deep vee 21' day cruiser did not wander at all. It was a v-drive with a big 'ol rudder behind the prop...all under the boat. That's why this wandering bugs the sh!t out of me. I think the wandering is primarily from the outdrive: it's a little sloppy, it's behind the boat (instead of under) and the steering and prop are on the same unit.

[MOWtown]

Essex, I've heard that to and that really appeals to me but I don't think this boat justifies the added cost and labor of that application. Does anyone know what it costs to retrofit my boat with hydralic external steering? I'm guessing at least $1,000....

[Essex502]

There was a thread on another forum...one poster was refitting his boat with IMCO external hydraulic assist (single ram) and the parts only were $1,300. Installation is on top of that. More importantly than wandering the external steering provides safety if you're exceeding 70, or so I'm told by many more knowledgable than I!

[MOWtown]

That's true and since I'm only hitting 60, it isn't necessary for me...just desired http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Red Horse]

Every V bottom I have had wandered. In 94 I bought a new Sea Ray and it wandered. Might have something to do with the leverage of an outdrive on the transom?? Just guessing. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Red Horse @ May 14 2003, 12:03 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Every V bottom I have had wandered. In 94 I bought a new Sea Ray and it wandered. Might have something to do with the leverage of an outdrive on the transom?? Just guessing. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
No Sh*t it wandered, Red....it was a Sea Ray! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif Would did you expect out of that cheap production boat? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif Sorry...could resist! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[titties and beer]

THEY JUST TOLD ME -1500$ ONE RAM http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Rude]

this is my first boat with ext. steering. my other ride has hydraulic steering but it's an outboard so it's completely different. they recommend ext. steering if your speeds exceed 70. and as far as the wandering thing, alot of boats do it while your idling through a no wake zone but they shouldn't be doing it at speed. from what i'm told, a dual ram ext. steering set up will run about $3500.

[MOWtown]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rude235 @ May 14 2003, 9:34 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">this is my first boat with ext. steering. Â*my other ride has hydraulic steering but it's an outboard so it's completely different. Â*they recommend ext. steering if your speeds exceed 70. Â*and as far as the wandering thing, alot of boats do it while your idling through a no wake zone but they shouldn't be doing it at speed. Â*from what i'm told, a dual ram ext. steering set up will run about $3500.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

well, I guess it doesn't wander THAT bad... http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rude235 @ May 14 2003, 9:34 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">.....from what i'm told, a dual ram ext. steering set up will run about $3500.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I will have dual ram....+ 80 mph on the new one! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[MOWtown]

there you go teasing again http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Â* WTF, are you buying this thing from the CIA? Â* http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Red Horse]

It must be some serious wind to get that blow boat to 80. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (MOWtown @ May 15 2003, 2:34 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">there you go teasing again http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Â* WTF, are you buying this thing from the CIA? Â* http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Trouble Maker]

Mowtown,
Some hulls will naturally wander back and forth when just idling along. Just let it go and see if it moves side to side on it's own or not. I kept fighting mine turning the wheel back and forth trying to compensate...finally, I just let it go on it's own...not that big of a deal. At speed I'm straight as an arrow... If your gonna get hydraulic steering just as well go all the way to the helm to begin with...why spend 2k when you can spend $3...I put the dual ram on myself and I'm still wishing I would have went all the way to the helm for another $1k....Maybe I can get Kevin to do it for me....

Good luck..



http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Trouble Maker]

PS.

If Kevin is getting a big 28 footer..maybe I should race him...I'm good for 80mph...and all I need for 85 is a little bigger prop. Â*I keep hitting the rev limiter(5200) with the prop I got. But if that doesn't work I can easily change to a different rev limiter chip...5400rpms should do the trick.....

Get ready for an ass whoopin....Kevin...

http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[titties and beer]

is it a HTM? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[MOWtown]

TM, thanks for the advice but I ain't going there...period. This boat doesn't justify that kind of investment. I don't have a problem at speed...only at idle-cruise. I hate having to correct it back and forth because none of my previous boats (flat, daycruisers ) ever wandered but they were all v-drives with big seperate rudders so this problem is with the outdrive/steering. Reading some of the above posts, I think some of the wandering is inherent in the outdrive design (without external hydralic steering ) and I think mine is a little worse because of a tired, sloppy steering system. No big deal at this point...it's not unsafe, it floats, it runs, and the built in cooler still keeps the beer cold...no problem http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Thanks again, though...

[Red Horse]

Mowtown, if you add some beer over Memorial day, we will give all kinds of advice. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[MOWtown]

Skip the advice...Let's get right to the beer http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Rude]

mow, i wouldn't sweat the wandering part. my nordic did it a little, and my daytona definitely does it while i'm idling out of callville.

[jkpruitt]

You all had better SLOW THEM FAST BOATS DOWN. This is a no wake zone. Ths fast boat computer users club...

Ouch....that is going to leave a mark.

[MOWtown]

huh?

[Ratacole]

Power Steering?

[Ratacole]

Is that a dealer option?