Helm steering issue

F

foreverwise@live.com

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2021
Messages
10
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Vessel Name
Serenity
2021 r27 ranger tug
Brand new first owner
Had it 2 weeks problem has been there whole time.

My steering is very stiff when on plain. I have to use two hands to steer. This seems odd to me. Tim even said its the stiffest steering he has handled. When not on plain at slower speeds steering seems close to normal.

When the boat sits over night and it hasn't been used the wheel squeaks alot and almost grabs. I have a feeling that there's a piston and the piston is not grease and the cylinder is dry. My experience is those need to be greased upon assembly. I am wondering if this is my issue.

Tim believes it's because they switched to a 4 blade prop because stock ran out on the 3 blade. They checked for air and made sure there was no kinks in the hose. Please share your thoughts.

Thanks,
Brian Dutler
 
Thank you for the reply but I am not sure how much the other thread helps. I am aware that changing the prop will have major changing to the handling and performance but I would assume the dealer knows what they are doing when they changed to the 4 blade and ordered correctly. So I should have the proper 4 bladed prop I just believe the handling change is worse than should be expected.

Also nothing is really mentioned about steering more on efficiency.
 
Honestly the 4 blade prop will reduce steering torque. That is what you are feeling. As long as the hydraulics are holding the motor straight and you are not experiencing it wandering I would suspect it is ok just a lot of steering torque. The Prop should allow the engine to turn 5800 to 6100 rpm if it is a highly loaded boat. If the installed prop is giving you that rpm it is sized properly. The other component is rake. I would assume they installed a 4 blade that is for stern lifting or an offshore prop. If it is a Prop with a lot of rake that can add to the steering torque. I doubt they did that is a prop you would find on a higher speed boat. You must remember you have a big engine back there and the hydraulic helm is holding the engine and your arms are turning the pump that makes the engine turn. I would suspect it turns harder one way then it does the other. Harder to turn to starboard??
 
BB marine":2grcqtpu said:
Honestly the 4 blade prop will reduce steering torque. That is what you are feeling. As long as the hydraulics are holding the motor straight and you are not experiencing it wandering I would suspect it is ok just a lot of steering torque. The Prop should allow the engine to turn 5800 to 6100 rpm if it is a highly loaded boat. If the installed prop is giving you that rpm it is sized properly. The other component is rake. I would assume they installed a 4 blade that is for stern lifting or an offshore prop. If it is a Prop with a lot of rake that can add to the steering torque. I doubt they did that is a prop you would find on a higher speed boat. You must remember you have a big engine back there and the hydraulic helm is holding the engine and your arms are turning the pump that makes the engine turn. I would suspect it turns harder one way then it does the other. Harder to turn to starboard??
Click to expand...

Yes that is all correct. So you think this is all normal? I just don't trust sales people so I want to make sure there isn't something wrong especially since it's the hardest to steer boat I have ever captained.
 
Submariner":qapt13lx said:
Check out this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17051&p=114694&hilit=spare+prop#p114694
Click to expand...


I am the owner of the boat discussed in the above thread.
I can tell you that moving to the 4 blade prop did not change the ease of steering the boat. It turns just like the 3 blade prop did. Only thing is it just gives us improved control on turning due to less slippage and better lift.
 
foreverwise@live.com":1u83a6sv said:
Yes that is all correct. So you think this is all normal? I just don't trust sales people so I want to make sure there isn't something wrong especially since it's the hardest to steer boat I have ever captained.
Click to expand...

Yes normal for a large outboard to have a lot of steering torque. The 4 blade may have not made it better asper Mike &Sarah but it didn't make it worse. Back when double cable steering was standard for big outboards we would install 4 blades to help reduce steering torque. If the steering is an issue for you a Power assist can be added to the Hydraulic system to reduce the steering loads.
 
BB marine":1ao9iukb said:
foreverwise@live.com":1ao9iukb said:
Yes that is all correct. So you think this is all normal? I just don't trust sales people so I want to make sure there isn't something wrong especially since it's the hardest to steer boat I have ever captained.
Click to expand...

Yes normal for a large outboard to have a lot of steering torque. The 4 blade may have not made it better asper Mike &Sarah but it didn't make it worse. Back when double cable steering was standard for big outboards we would install 4 blades to help reduce steering torque. If the steering is an issue for you a Power assist can be added to the Hydraulic system to reduce the steering loads.
Click to expand...

Steering isn't the issue. My issue is concern something is wrong. Like recieving a faulty wheel/pump.
 
I wonder if it could have something to do with the smart hydraulic pump in the autopilot circuit ??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You might check that your skeg zink (aka trim tab zinc anode 61A-45371-00). If it is in alignment with the motor, it's not helping like it could. I have the Suzuki OB, 3-blade prop and lots of steering torque. Turning the skeg to about 45 degrees to starboard made a huge difference. FYI, every year the service guys turn it straight, so I have to adjust it since I don't remember to check before it goes back in the water...
 
BTW, that steering torque was causing big problems with the pump and autopilot. All better now.
 
brofish17":1el9uf47 said:
You might check that your skeg zink (aka trim tab zinc anode 61A-45371-00). If it is in alignment with the motor, it's not helping like it could. I have the Suzuki OB, 3-blade prop and lots of steering torque. Turning the skeg to about 45 degrees to starboard made a huge difference. FYI, every year the service guys turn it straight, so I have to adjust it since I don't remember to check before it goes back in the water...
Click to expand...
The Yamaha F300 they deprecated that skeg anode for a newer improved model that doesn’t have a fin on it. There’s not a way to adjust the non-finned rudder anode.

https://www.partsvu.com/yamaha-f200-f22 ... 00-00.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thank you so much guys all this is super helpful. They just installed the 3 blade that's suppose to be on the boat. Ill let you know if it feels normal or if I think I still have a problem.
 
I just got my R-27 ob. had it running on plain yesterday with no steering issues. the wheel easily turned and was very responsive both on and off plain.
 
My R27OB also handles easily on plane.


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