steering for my '97 Ski Nautique?

[Val]

I have a 97 Ski Nautique that spends 99% of its time on the slalom course. I have approx 800+ hours on it - and the steering continues to be real loose and sloppy. I have replaced the steering cable, and the steering column (tilt rack where steering wheel attaches) and the wheel still drifts when I go down the course. Don't tell me to grind the rudder - as I have put a big load on it but it still wanders down the course with a heavy pulling shortline skier behind the boat.

I do have play in the rudder but do not know how to get rid of it. Do I need to replace the rudder and rudder box? There is no water coming in, so I do not think I need to "repack" the stuffing in the rudder - but that is the only thing I have not done. I was thinking of dropping the $ and buying the new rudder that has the trim tab built in ($500. OUCH!)

I would appreciate any feedback from others who have had this happen.

Thanks!

[skinautique]

Replacing the cable and the helm won't do anything to fix the problem. Your two options are to grind the rudder and also to check and make sure that the tiller arm that connects to the rudder and the cable are tight. When you say that you grinded the rudder, what side did you grind?

[Val]

I ground the trailing edge of the port (left) side of the rudder - just like my Nautique dealer told me to do. I started at the top and worked my way down to the bottom. It helped, but boat still wanders and the play is in the wheel as I drive the course.

You can feel the rudder move side to side when you grab onto it with boat out of water. It appears to have more play (and wear) than other boats I have checked.

[tryan]

look at the end block for the cable where it mounts to the stringer.

was it always like this?

look at glenwood or glen-l for rudders and boxes. many choices to choose from.

you might have shaft wear. a prop shop might be able to machine the housing and the prop and use a bushing.

a hydro racer on ccfan has discussed prop placement and rudder load. you might shorten the prop shaft to get it away from the rudder and closer to the strut.

[skinautique]

If I am not mistaken, I have always shaved the left side of the rudder to make the wheel pull left so that I can use my left hand to "hold" the wheel up. I haven't had to deal with something quite like yours. Have you hit anything that would cause the rudder to be out of place therefore creating wear in an area that would cause the port to get sloppy? Also, did you check the bolts where the cable connects to the cable and tiller arm as well as the bolt on the top of the rudder? They all must be snug.

[M3Fan]

If you're looking at the back of the boat, I believe the traditional side to shave is the right. The right pulls the boat to the left, no? I don't know too much about this, but my rudder is shaved on the right.

[skinautique]

M3Fan,
Thanks for catching me on that. It is the right side that you want to shave. If you have the trim tab, you turn it to the left. For some reason, I get that kind of backwards in my head. So Val, if you shave the right side (do a little at a time) you will feel the boat pull to the left and that will load the wheel for you. Just do a little at a time because you can't put back on what you take off!

[tryan]

rudder play

you need to address the play in the stuffing box, before you get the grinder out.

you don't need a manicure when your fingers broken. 8)

[wburg64]

Usually what happens when the rudder has no load it will let the rudder drift because it is too neutrual. However other problems can be there, the flex cable will strech inside the head.

[Val]

OK, has anyone ever dropped the rudder and replaced the stuffing (packing) because this is the only thing I have not done?? And will this remove the play in the rudder I have?

My steering cable is approx 2 yrs old which equals approx 300 hrs - and most of this is making right turns on a slalom course. Can the cable generate that much play in my steering system?

I am not going to grind the rudder anymore, and have had the left vs right side grind debate already..... and I had CCC (Calif Correct Craft) assure me the side to grind was the left trailing edge as you look at the back of the boat.

All I know is that I am tired of the grief my ski partners give me about the way my boat hunts thru the course - so while it is raining and cold I want to get this corrected.

[wburg64]

Call Woody at South East Correct Craft 407 851 1965 and get the correct answers.