Stick steering

[Don Burns]

I just bought a Panfish 16/40 hp. We took it out the next morning and could hardly steer it. Right turns are easy, but left is very difficult. Does anyone out there have a solution to this problem? I'd appreciate any reply.



Thank you in advance -



Don

 

[Bruce Freeman]

try lubing the sterring cable at the engine.. Mine does that after sitting for a while.

BF

 

[Rick Hale]

Welcome Don to this board -- Congrats on your new boat.

Not sure of your boats config. -- Does your 40hp have power trim?? If so -- try trimming up-- till the steering is equal both left and right.

Good luck -- "may the force of tin be with you"

HaleDamage

 

[David Lewis]

Don,

Can you steer it fine out of the water? If so it may be as Hale Damage said or could also be the trim tab on the bottom of your cavitation plate needs adjusting. Previous owner might have never did it. If it is hard to steer out of the water then lube it like Bruce said. (A good lubing won't hurt either way.)

 

[Don Burns]

Thanks,

It is a brand new, 2003 Bass Tracker/ 40 HP Mercury..... It steers fine out of the water, so we'll try adjusting the trim tab and finding neutral steering with the power trim button. The manual says to adjust the trim tab it should be 2" below the bottom of the boat, which it is not. I'll try adjusting it anyway and hope for the best. I've got the day off tomorrow to try!



I'm very impressed by so quick a response to my query.



Tight lines!



Don