Steering Wheel Shudder at Take Off - 2009 230 SANTE

[TNRIDER]

My boat has just developed a shutter upon throtting up at take off. This only happens if I am pulling someone wakeboarding, no other throttle ups. It kind of makes a rattle noised and I can feel it "jiggling" in the base of the steering wheel.

Anyone have any ideas on what to check or maybe a quick fix?

[DanielC]

Possibly one blade of the propeller is slightly bent. This may not be visible by looking at the propeller.

[RideButter]

I would have the prop checked.

[74green]

similar problem, mine vibrated only under load. Ended up being the prop.

[skinautique]

Check the prop (if it was just repaired or replaced, it could have been re-conditioned wrong or out of balance). Also, not a bad idea to quickly check the bolts where the steering cable hooks up to the steering wheel under the dash. It's rare, but only 4 bolts, so it's an easy check.

[guypreston]

just like wheels on your car if they are not balanced you will feel vibrations, have your prop replaced or retuned asap all that vibration will loosen your stuffing box etc take care of it asap.

[swc5150]

It takes only a slight prop ding to cause vibration, so you may have to look closely at the prop. I'm not recommending this solution, but I was able to smooth out a prop ding in my '06 with a needle nose. It solved my vibration issue, but having it professional reconditioned is preferable.

[bj25430]

2006 211 just changed the steering cable and the shutter wasnt bad at all, with this new cable it seems to be alot worse. Why would there be steering cable shutter if the prop is out of balanced. Trying to think how that shutter transfers to that steering wheel. If that is the case where are guys sending there props off for recondition or is it just worth getting a new one? And how hard is that to change out. ? Thanks guys for your help...

[DanielC]

The water does not go straight back after the propeller pushes it. It rotates in the direction the propeller is rotating. If a blade is slightly bent, the "chunk" of water that blade pushes is moving slightly faster, or slower the the "chunks" of water moved by the other three blades.

When the odd "chunk" of water hits the rudder, it pushes it softer, or harder. This makes it vibrate, and that vibration is transferred to the steering wheel.

[mnwakerider]

Is it a constant vibration or only at the beginning of the pull? I know with my older SAN if you are let the steering wheel turn when you start to pull it will give a "jump" like feel, but if you keep it straight and true when you are starting it will work just as advertised...

[bj25430]

My vibration only happens when I pull a rider up. It shutters for 3 secs at best and that's it. Even with wheel straight it will shutter. My prop looks good but I'll take a closer look. It got worse when I changed the steering cable but my old cable was tight so it was probably absorbing some vibration.

[perry386]

have you hit the ground or stumps or anything?, I hit a stump on mine and its doing the same thing.

[jonfo]

weeds or a piece of ski rope wrapped around the shaft or prop will do this as well. inspect it when it is out of the water. if it is weeds you can usually reverse hard to get them off.

[msbowhunter]

My 2011 210 does the same thing. Second trip to dealer for same problem. They said my prop was fine. I hope they figure something out this trip. The heavier the rider, the heavier the shake is but it doesnt do it when i have no rider.

[MinnesotaNautique]

Same problem here - - quite sure it has nothing to do with the prop. My dealer "diagnosed" it over the phone, and said the fix was to "clamp" the steering cable and add some padding between the brackets and the swim platform. Def. annoying though!

Bowhunter, let us know what you find out!