Heavy steering- new outboard

[paullee]

Hi all,
I recently replaced my 130 etc with a new 130 Yamaha on my HH560sf. The yammy is apparently only 10kg heavier than the etec however the steering has always been a lot heavier. It is due for its 100 hour service so I will get them to check it but I don’t think it is a mechanical issue. I am wondering if anyone has any feedback on whether they run hydraulic steering on this size boat and motor. I have had a bigger boat with 150 4 stroke and don’t remember the steering being like this. There is a brand called vevor that sell kits for $650- appears to be half the price of a hydrive unit. Also does anyone run a knob on there steering wheel and found this helps?

Cheers Paul

[Crocodile]

Hello Paulee,

Before you start replacing things, let's try the easy stuff first.

Assuming that you have mechanical steering at the moment and not hydraulic.?
Has it always been stiff? or has it become stiffer over time? or suddenly much stiffer?
(I am talking steering here!!!!!)

When running and trimmed properly, can you let go of the wheel and the boat continues straight ahead or does the motor steer to one side, this can be an improperly set steering trim tab.
Look it up on Youtube.

Disconnect the steering arm at the motor (a single bolt with a nyloc nut) and test that the motor alone turns freely.
It should turn very easily, if not the motor swivel bracket is binding, big job for home mechanic.
Turn the steering wheel to test if the steering cable is binding in the tube.
Have a look at Dangar Stu on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfMn6bGfAKs


Keep us posted.

[tunaticer]

Seeing you have hydraulic steering there is two things that can make it stiff / hard to turn.
The pivot on the motor is gummed up.....disconnect the hydraulic cylinder and turn by hand...if it turns easy it is the hydraulic system....if not it is that joint giving you grief.
Without knowing if there is a pump displacement variable with the steering hub, I would suspect the lines first of all having a rubber crumb in them blocking flow....to test operate the steering wheel without the ram connected to the motor, if stiff it is likely a bit of rubber in the lines. If easy it is likely the hub is not feeding the ports correctly....

[paullee]

Seeing you have hydraulic steering there is two things that can make it stiff / hard to turn.
The pivot on the motor is gummed up.....disconnect the hydraulic cylinder and turn by hand...if it turns easy it is the hydraulic system....if not it is that joint giving you grief.
Without knowing if there is a pump displacement variable with the steering hub, I would suspect the lines first of all having a rubber crumb in them blocking flow....to test operate the steering wheel without the ram connected to the motor, if stiff it is likely a bit of rubber in the lines. If easy it is likely the hub is not feeding the ports correctly....

Thanks for the replies guys however I dont have hydraulic steering I was only enquiring about it. I have since disconnected the motor and the cable is still tight. The confusion this end happened as it only got tight when the brand new yammy went on so I assumed it was the slightly heavier motor making the steering heavy but it looks like it was either coincidence or when they swapped the engine over they have somehow damaged the cable making it tight. I will get the mechanic to check it but it’s either the cable or the helm.
Cheers..Paul

[Noelm]

The weight of the motor means nothing, best guess is your cables shagged, and you have only just noticed it. If you go cable again, replace the lot, helm and cable. Go hydraulic and never worry about heavy steering again. A knob is “handy” but not exactly essential, you hardly ever run a slalom course in a fishing boat…

[Dignity]

I reckon the cable was probably on it's way out, is it teleflex cable we're talking about, if so it can go from free to fully jammed between trips. Happened to me twice on 2 different boats. Definitely replace with a hydraulic setup.
When it comes to knobs (I'm probably considered one) they are of not that much use underway but when approsching ramps/pontoons etc they are extremely helpful as you can turn that steering wheel a lot quicker. With hydraulic steering there is no chance of kickback and breaking your knees, just be aware that depending on your helm setup whether it's going to impinge on your body, whether it's knees or something between 😉

[Corry]

I'm another supporter of Hydraulic. When we fitted our new 115 to our 5m tinny we upgraded the cable steering to non feedback cable, was better than the original which was new in 2000 fitted by Quintrex, but I regretted it constantly, should have gone hydraulic.
Our new boat has hydraulic, pushing a 200, and has the knob on the steering wheel. I wouldn't be without the knob, only use it when going slow, but to navigate around shallow reefs, or when driving the boat on the trailer, it's invaluable.

[paullee]

Yeah ok thanks for all the replies. Has anyone had any experience with the “vevor” brand hydraulic steering units or does everyone run hydrive units or other brands?

[shaungonemad]

Yeah ok thanks for all the replies. Has anyone had any experience with the “vevor” brand hydraulic steering units or does everyone run hydrive units or other brands?

Not sure of brands but my brother has a boat that had a cheap kit from Amazon or somewhere similar when he bought the boat, it started to play up but we couldn’t find any parts to fix it, he ended up buying a new kit from Seastar or whatever they are called now for about $1200.


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[Dignity]

Hydrive on my boat, parts available easily if ever needed as I thing they're at Wynymm or in that general direction. I've had mine for probably 10 years now and still going strong.