Steering Binding to the Left

[Jaxkiter]

Took the boat out to enjoy the great weather today and all was well until pulling up to the ramp. Long story short, the wheel/rudder won't turn past neutral to the left. I get fell deflection to the right though.

Happy this happened at the ramp and we were able to manage to get it out, but does anyone have any thoughts? Worked great all day up until that point.

Thanks for the help!

Jason

[ski4evr]

cable failure. easy check, disconnect from rudder and see which one is free.

[swc5150]

Agreed, you need to install a new steering cable. The identical thing happened to me during the initial launch a couple of years ago.

[Zach@n3]

While you do the cable, drop the rudder and clean/grease it and re install. While you are at it check the packing and re adjust. With that and a new cable it will be smoother than you have felt it since you have owned the boat.

[Jaxkiter]

Ok, anybody have any tips or tricks to getting the cable unhooked from the rudder? Looks like it's pretty well under both the fuel tank and water ballast tanks. Is there an access anywhere I'm not seeing? Thanks

[s_kelley2000]

What model boat do you have? I'm guessing direct drive if the gas tank is in the rear? You will probably at least have to disconnect the straps that hold it down. Then you might have enough slack in the fuel lines to pull it forward enough to gain access to the tiller arm on the rudder.

[Jaxkiter]

Thanks guys, figured it out. Now I just have to put it all back together, but my steering is working again.

It's a 98 Air Nautique and for the record I had to unbolt the fuel tank and take off most of the hoses so I could then pivot and move it foward (there's a high point that keeps you from just sliding it forward). That then gave me enough room to pivot up the hard ballast tanks and remove the floorboard under them finally giving me access.

It also didn't help that the duct tape came apart when trying to pull the new cable through with the old one from the steering column. If this happens, then it helps if you're able to stick a hand down that hole under the dash and also if you're extremely lucky like me. I honestly don't know how I got it through, but I did.

Now, I've just got to put all this junk back together!