PDA

View Full Version : Just bought a 83 SS, Love it but a few Q's

Runnit
06-14-2009, 10:18 PM
I drove 10hrs to pick up this boat from Minn. and bring it back to Michigan. The seller said the steering cables where new 2 years ago. It turns really easy out of water but once it's under power in the water it turns really hard. Should greasing the rudder help or should I get new cables?

Thanks in advance.
h2oskifreak
06-14-2009, 11:11 PM
Congrats on the purchase. Doesn't make sense that it would be grease, otherwise why would it turn easy on trailer? Could it be the tension on the cables?????
bigmac
06-15-2009, 07:31 AM
If the rudder is sloppy in the rudder port (out of tolerance), forward pressure could cause binding. I'd definitely give a shot of marine grease into the zerk on the rudder port, see if that helps. See if you have any play while wiggling the rudder. There shouldn't be any.

However, usually, hard steering while moving, even if it turns easily on the trailer, is a bad steering cable.
dmminfla
06-15-2009, 06:12 PM
Lets see some pic's. I'll bet your Ryan that called me about my 86 in florida. Hope it works out well.
ProStar Slalom
06-15-2009, 06:44 PM
I drove 10hrs to pick up this boat from Minn. and bring it back to Michigan. The seller said the steering cables where new 2 years ago. It turns really easy out of water but once it's under power in the water it turns really hard. Should greasing the rudder help or should I get new cables?

Thanks in advance.

Does it turn hard in both directions or just one? If just one, you probably have a modified rudder.
tph
06-15-2009, 06:52 PM
I had the same problem with my '83 last year. Greased up the rudder port and everything works great now!
Runnit
06-15-2009, 10:14 PM
Yup this is Ryan, I will grease the rudder and see what happens. Thanks for the imput
Chicago190
06-15-2009, 10:58 PM
Does it turn easily to starboard at speed? If it turns easily to starboard, but not to port, then it is most likely because your rudder has the leading edge filed to improve tracking.
thwack
06-15-2009, 11:42 PM
Congrats on the boat. Had pretty much the same issue with my 79 last year and it turned out to need just a little grease around the rudder. Good luck.