28 steering hard @ speed

[Bighead]

Steering is perfect at slow speeds but when at cruising it is much much harder to turn. Any suggestions? Fluid levels seems fine, Don't see any leaks either.

[Bighead]

the boat is an inboard diesel THanks

[Capt B]

Look at the ball joint alongside the ram piston in between the rudder ports under the rear baitwell/fishbox and see if it is frozen or freely moving. Mine was rusted quite a bit last year before I replaced it and the ram which had a small leak.

[Petty Cash]

Mine hard to turn at speed. 2003 inboard diesel. No problem at slow speeds but at cruisin steering feels tight when turning hard.. Alot different then my 26 hydrasport. Kinda figured it was normal. Maybe someone else with more experience can give some answers.

[CC28_NJ]

I had the same problem, ball joints were frozen. Replaced and made a big difference with steering.

Capt B,
Did you get that nut off that shaft coupling?
Heading down to finish my seals this weekend.

[Capt B]

No - I didn't get the shaft coupling nuts off yet - just got the socket on Sunday and it was too late. I'm replacing the Tides Marine bearing assembly with the new one that Keith and Mac are putting on now which is a cast bronze assembly. I should receive the new bearing assemblies from them this week and I'll hopefully put them on this week-end.

I also have my aftercoolers off - and are making sure they are clean inside - and doing some other work on the engines.

[backman]

i think its normal

Mine has been that way for 7 years now; including immediately after being repowered by Layton, including new rudders; bearings and a new tie bar.

I find it takes 1 full turn of the wheel to move the boat on a slow turn at speed and 1 1/2 to make a reasonably hard turn. Moving the wheel 1/3 to 1/2 turn is almost inperceptable.

The other thing I notice is a 1-2 second latency between turning the wheel and the boat reacting. I find when I'm running at speed and the mola pops up 50 yards out that I have to be aggressive and start with almost 2 full turns to move the boat offline quickly.

At this point I'm used to it and take it for granted. of course when i run a friends boat with power steering mine seems anemic in comparison.

[CC28_NJ]

Sorry for Hijacking this thread but Capt B looks like we are working the same punch list, that's exactly what I doing right now. Aftercoolers are in the basement, and I'm doing the seals this weekend.

[Bighead]

Thanks for the input really helpful. JOE