Lost steering alignment?

[shouse]

Could use some help on this one. Not sure what to make of it.

2000 Pro Air Nautique. Put a new steering cable in it several years ago (4 maybe). All was fine. Have had the boat out a few times this year and just today noticed the steering wheel is not even close to being in alignment. I would say it's at least 1.25 turns off to get it to travel straight. Even writing that, it doesn't quite make sense because there isn't power steering or anything. I just know when driving, the natural position the steering wheel wanted to return to causes the boat to veer hard left. I don't think I can honestly say if this is a problem that came out of winterization with or if it JUST happened tonight. I haven't been the one driving the boat initially (but have been a passenger).

No known accidents to the boat this season, So can't contribute it to a bad impact or anything. Has hit some good waves, but nothing insane. Honestly can't think of a good reason how it could have some how skipped gears in the cable. Also don't see anything visually wrong w/ the rudder. Just seems like it's no longer on center.

This ever happen to anyone before? What things should I be looking into? Thanks

[NautiqueJeff]

Does your rudder have a tab on it. If so, is it loose?

[shouse]

it does. I don't believe it has changed position.

I messed with the steering wheel a bit. Found the max rotations and then calculated center from there (i believe this is based off of the cable perspective). When I traveled half total rotations (center point) the rudder was more or less centered on the boat. The steering wheel was not however, looked like how I had to keep it to go straight in the water, which would make sense obviously.

Leads more and more to believe my steering wheel just isn't aligned with the cable anymore. Not sure how that one happened, but I assume the fix is the same, take it off and put back on straight when the cable is centered..

[ATX Jeep]

I went through the same thing on my 02 SN. Found that it all comes down to the steering cable cover attaching to the hull placement (if cables is loose could be something else). This could happen when wheel turned to one side then high acceleration stressed this cable attachment. Looking at the rudder, the smallest turn will send your off that direction. Drove me crazy, until I fixed it. If you simply rotate steering wheel, boat will have more turn one way then the other.

[shouse]

Can you elaborate on this a bit more? I haven't gone any deeper with the issue yet. I don't quite understand what you're saying though.

If i focus on steering cable rotations, not steering wheel alignment, and find the center of the max rotation (3.5 turns going clockwise or counter for ex) then I believe my rudder is centered at that point. If that's true, that leads me to believe its nothing more than my steering wheel not mounted correctly.

If false, well, then I'd assume my steering cable got jacked up somehow. More along with what you're saying, correct?

[ATX Jeep]

Agreed, your rudder should be perfectly straight when your in the middle of the 3.5 turns right to left (1.75 center). Straighten your rudder and tuner (seemed slightly turned in pic) if this is centered 1.75 each way, your good rotate steering wheel. If it’s not centered (1.75 each way) the issue will likely be the position of the bracket holding the back end of the cable next to the rudder. When you look at the rudder control arm it should be 90 degrees off from your rudder. There is a bracket that holds the steering cable outer cover which provides steering adjustment. I could describe more if needed.

[shouse]

Let's hope it's not, because I have the hard case water tanks and it blocks all this. If it comes to that, I'll be cutting them out this time.

[ATX Jeep]

I have seen it when the bracket gets loose causing the rudder arm to extend to far and hit other stuff.

[desertskier]

Let's hope it's not, because I have the hard case water tanks and it blocks all this. If it comes to that, I'll be cutting them out this time.

I just replaced the cable on my '99. I just disconnected the fuel tank and slid it forward. Took a few hours but not a bad job. I wouldn't drive your boat until you check that the tube is secure. Loose steering components could be very dangerous.

[Jonny Quest]

On my 2001 SN 196, I can remove the steering wheel and “clock” the wheel to be re-aligned with the rudder. Simple procedure. I would also inspect the rudder horn and connection to ensure unrestricted movement and proper connections.

JQ

[shouse]

Yup, I'm going to attack the wheel first. From previous experience, I have high doubts anything is wrong with the rudder connection. I am usually known for overtightenimg things than under and I haven't hit anything that could have caused a trauma accident to the area. Just don't see how that could be a possible scenario realistically. If you have an example of one, I'd love to hear it i guess. Haven't done any hard starts on a corner.

Nothing feels jammed or loose. As far as I can tell I have full rotation of the rudder.

I had a lady do some interior work last season and she had to get into the driver console, but that would mean I would have gone all last season with this issue and never noticed. Doubtful of that as well.

[shouse]

Btw, for anyone that doubts the removal of the hard ballast tanks. I think this says it best. And to remove the ballast tanks, you have to slide the tank quite a bit forward. The ballast tanks themselves are a royal pia.

"Please post photos of your locker/tank area. The only explanation I can come up with is your 01 does not have factory or OEM tanks. With the OEM tanks it's impossible. They will not lift more than a couple of inches before getting pinched in the gunwale at the side of the fuel tank. In addition, they had a drain in the bottom that went down to the pumps. That hose connection was just a few inches long and couldn't be reached with the fuel tank in place.

There's also a removable floorboard right under the tanks with 3 holes in it. One for the rudder stuffing box, and one each for the L and R tank drains. This floorboard has to come out because it's right over the cable connection points.Please post photos of your locker/tank area. The only explanation I can come up with is your 01 does not have factory or OEM tanks. With the OEM tanks it's impossible. They will not lift more than a couple of inches before getting pinched in the gunwale at the side of the fuel tank. In addition, they had a drain in the bottom that went down to the pumps. That hose connection was just a few inches long and couldn't be reached with the fuel tank in place.

There's also a removable floorboard right under the tanks with 3 holes in it. One for the rudder stuffing box, and one each for the L and R tank drains. This floorboard has to come out because it's right over the cable connection points."