just replaced steering cable and steering still hard under power

[singing skiier]

2000 sport, just replaced the cable, but still very difficult to turn under power. I also packed the rudder box, but it was also tight before then. Any suggestions? I came from a Malibu and the steering was turn with your litle finger at any speed.....
Thanks, Singingskier

[gregss454]

I have a 95 sport that has the same problem. I believe that tuning the rudder Is the solution, but I have yet to get mine right. My boat is easy to steer to the left, but very hard to the right, almost unsafely hard. I just installed a new prop, and that helped, but I have not figured it out yet. Any help would be great. I am to the point of ripping all the steering out and rebuild it all.

[gregss454]

I just pulled the rudder and greased everything I could. And that fixed it! The boat still favors the left steering, but is much better.

[Popeye]

Your rudder shaft may be gummed up which will adversely affect your steering. To check, disconnect the tiller and manually move the rudder back and forth. It should move very freely. If not you may want to try this:

Pull the rudder and then clean both the rudder shaft and the shaft tube (brass tube through the hull) with mineral spirits so that no grease is left behind. Regrease with SYNTHETIC grease such as Valvoline 985. The rudder should turn very freely both ways.