Blaming the drink but it was only my steering.

[IBWET]

I have seastar hydraulic steering,

When up on the plane, the boat slowly veers to the left, which necessitates corrective input to keep the boat running straight, do they all do this?

The movement is very small to the point that you start doubting yourself as to whether you have inadvertently wandered, however after noticing I paid attention to the positioning of my hands on the wheel and it's the steering that's wandering.

Has anyone come across this.

Cheers,

IB.

[Tim M]

I had an Osprey that did this. I put it down to prop torque. Think of a helicopter; if it didn't have a rota at the back the body of the chopper would spin round under the top rota blades. Its the same with a boat; if the props whizzing round at 6k rpm it can create a bit of a veer. On the Osprey it was a complete nightmare - anywhere above about 3k rpm the boat would dive really badly to the left. In the end I decided the boat was overpowered; it had a 115 and would probably have been happier with a 90.

If the veer is only very slight you may get away with adjusting the trim tab on the underside of the anti ventilation plate just above the prop. If not I don't know, trim tabs maybe?

[Biggles]

Iain,

Mine doesn't do this. As far as I'm aware it runs straight as a die even when my hands are not on the steering wheel which I like. My last boat went dramatically round in circles if you let go of the steering wheel.

I'm out tomorrow so I'll make a point of watching out for it veering off and I'll post back tomorrow night.

NR.

[Tim M]

Nick, (guessing here about the types of steering) that could be due to the fact that your searider had cable steering and the ribcraft has hydraulic?

[Biggles]

Tim,

Thats right. The Searider was old and had many foibles. It was okay for me because I was used to it but on this new boat everything is vastly better. It should be it cost an arm and a leg. Even before Iaim mentioned the steering I was impressed with it. Means I'm able to drive along talking on my mobile phone with one hand and gesticulating the other at all the bad drivers on the sea. Makes me feel like I'm driving round town. (The last bits only a joke).

[IBWET]

Nick,

On reading my post, I wasn't clear, the issue is one of the steering needing to be turned very slowly all the time to get the desired affect,(run straight and true) my first thought is that there is a seal weeping pressure slowing in the ram.

But I'm new to oil steering so could be wrong. My old searider (telelflex) would pull to the left up to a point,if you kept trimming out too far, it would eventually pull to the right? trimmed just right you could take your hands of the wheel. It was a good way to tell if the thing was trimmed right.

If you are out on Sat, get the boat on the plane running straight, then put your hand in a set position on the wheel, Things I think, should remain constant.

On mine your would find in a short space of time that your hand would be moving round and you would need to take another bite at it....

My concern is the accident( if your aware of it ) on Loch Lomond where a father and daughter died because of sudden and catostrophic steering failure.

Originally Posted by Biggles

Iain,

Mine doesn't do this. As far as I'm aware it runs straight as a die even when my hands are not on the steering wheel which I like. My last boat went dramatically round in circles if you let go of the steering wheel.

I'm out tomorrow so I'll make a point of watching out for it veering off and I'll post back tomorrow night.

NR.

[Hightower]

Yes, all hydraulic steering can "creep" ie: steering wheel in a different position relative to the outboard being in the same postion.

Obviously as things start to wear you might well expect this "creep" to worsen. I think it's down to a one way valve within the helm unit. If it's an old helm it might be ready for a refirb or replacement.

Could also be a leak, have you been topping up lately?

[Biggles]

Iain,

I thought I had understood you maybe I didn't put myself across correctly.
Just to make it clear as far as I'm aware I have to make no corrections at all once its set on a course.
Tomorrow I will check this and report back.

Nick R.

[DJL]

As far as I’m aware you shouldn't be experiencing that much creep.

First thing to check is the oil level - from memory the oil should be no lower than 1/4 inch below the filler. Also check its colour, it should be like vegetable cooking oil - clear and slightly orange in colour.

Next, turn the wheel hard to port until it stops. Then keep turning the wheel to pressurise the system until you hear the pressure relief valve trigger (popping/gurgling/spring type noise) - will require a fair amount of force, you won't do any damage. Check all the port hoses/connectors for leaks. Then repeat turning the wheel to starboard. If you can't pressurise the system then you either have a leaky relief valve or seals are leaking (or you have a leaky hose).

If the systems fairly old, you might want to get it serviced, they will fit new seals etc.

[IBWET]

When it stops raining I try that,

the steering is 7 months old (along with the rest of the boat) so I hope it's not age.

Is repairing/replacing a seal yourself easy?

Thanks for your info.

Iain.

Originally Posted by DJL

As far as I’m aware you shouldn't be experiencing that much creep.

First thing to check is the oil level - from memory the oil should be no lower than 1/4 inch below the filler. Also check its colour, it should be like vegetable cooking oil - clear and slightly orange in colour.

Next, turn the wheel hard to port until it stops. Then keep turning the wheel to pressurise the system until you hear the pressure relief valve trigger (popping/gurgling/spring type noise) - will require a fair amount of force, you won't do any damage. Check all the port hoses/connectors for leaks. Then repeat turning the wheel to starboard. If you can't pressurise the system then you either have a leaky relief valve or seals are leaking (or you have a leaky hose).

If the systems fairly old, you might want to get it serviced, they will fit new seals etc.