99 Air Nautique Steering Wheel

[hornsfan]

So as I may have stated before 1st time ever owning a boat, so not very experienced driving one.

I wanted to ask though is the steering on a boat specifically my 99 Air, the same as a car? Meaning if the steering wheel is in the "default" position (12 o'clock) then the boat will pretty much go straight, then if i turn it to 3 o'clock then it turns right?

I know it may sound like a dumb questions but the few times I have driven the boat I find myself with the steering wheel in the 3 o'clock position just to keep it going straight. Is this normal?

[saceone]

RE: 99 Air Nautique Steering Wheel

you gotta hold it that way to counter prop rotation at idle speed I believe?

[DavidF]

RE: 99 Air Nautique Steering Wheel

The steering on a boat will never be as precise as that on a car. With that said, inboards (and especially CC's) are better handlers than most other boats. But, you will be hard pressed to have a perfectly centered wheel in all conditions. But, if your wheel is off by a 1/4 turn, which yours seems to be, it can be adjusted to be closer to "centered" First, you must ensure the wheel is centered in the middle of the rudder travel limits. To check, just counts turns - lock to lock then ensure the wheel is center when counting half the total turns. If not, remove the wheel from the hub and center it. Then after driving the boat if the wheel is not centered, the final adjustment must be made by moving the steering cable torque tube in the clamp block in the appropriate direction. This is a trial and error proposition. Centering the rudder by sight will not usually result in a straight steering wheel (i.e. prop torque).