Help!!! Faulty steering !!!

[charlieenz]

Hi Guys, I just had my 2007 c180 serviced and have had it out just twice since and it has a developed a really scarey steering problem. When you put her into a turn it starts off ok but all of a sudden gives a big lurch, almost as though it want's to tip on its side and I have to straighten it out and finish the turn real slowly. Quite frightening! Could something have come adrift when they checked the boat over? I've only had the boat 6 weeks and prior to this it seemed to turn real smooth. I had a look at the steering gate and it appears to move freely and is not loose but was thinking maybe something catching further along the line or perhaps an adjustment. There is no water in the bilge or any weight that can shift and it happens real quick as if something just gives. Any ideas appreciated as i don't think this is normal or safe.
Cheers Charlie in New Zealand .P.S. The service center is close to 5 hours drive away so not that easy to take it back for a check.!

 

[seadoosnipe]

A big lurch?

From what your describing, it sounds like your boat is hooking in a turn. Hooking a turn happens when your in a turn, then the rear of the boat hooks hard to the side, pretty suddenly.

This can be caused by water conditions but from your description, it sounds like it's being caused by your linkage or steering assembly.

This may be hard for you to determine. I always say, if you take the boat out, it runs good, then to a service center, then you have a problem, this is where your problem was born. So, it does sound like, whoever serviced your boat, did something. If you were there or know what they did, then you need to try to figure it out.

For a simple service, I see no reason for them to mess with your steering system.

I don't have the shop manual for the 2007 but I have the 2006 and I just don't see anything like a tensioner or any other component part that might cause this, but pretty sure what ever happened, happened there.

Sorry, there's not a lot I can do from my end but I hope you get it figured out.:cheers:

 

[charlieenz]

thanks for that Snipe,
I guess it may be water conditions. I'm used to drivng a fairly shallow hull Kiwi made boat and in our large reasonably fast flowing rivers. They pretty much turn on a dime with little tilting what so-ever. The C180 is deeper and draws more water than i'm used to and I guess primarily designed for calmer lake conditions. I went for a spin today and had a bit of a play. there was quite a stiff cross wind with a reasonable flow in the river. i had to hold it into the wind a bit to stay heading straight and managed to try a few different methods of turning which seemed to help a bit. I agree about the steering system. Pretty straight forward cable sytem with moulded end stops on the sides of the nozzle to prevent too much travel. Maybe I am expecting too much from a more pleasure oriented boat compared to my old river runner!
As for the service center - yeah, I don't know what the guy played with.

I'll stick with it and hopefully adjust to the style of boat.
Overall its a great machine and is certainly turning a few heads over here as I think its about the only one in the country. She jumps up out of the hole which is awesome. I might have to start saving for another one in a few years with the bigger donkey in it!
Cheers
Charlie in NZ

 

[charlieenz]

I think we got it!

hi guys

It appears the reverse bucket is not always automatically locking in forward and "hanging" a little, which may be catching on turns and slowing me slightly going straight as well. I have found if I give it a good push in to forward I can hear the clunk as it locks. If I just slide the control forward it doesn't lock, so maybe I need to be a bit more positive with my control changes.

 

[seadoosnipe]

I agree...

hi guys

It appears the reverse bucket is not always automatically locking in forward and "hanging" a little, which may be catching on turns and slowing me slightly going straight as well. I have found if I give it a good push in to forward I can hear the clunk as it locks. If I just slide the control forward it doesn't lock, so maybe I need to be a bit more positive with my control changes.

Yeah, that is something you can check from the ground, before you go out in it. Push it forward to see if it's locking out on you. If not, you can adjust it.

The fast moving water? These boats are nothing like a standard outboard. They have no skeg or rudder. There is nothing to help you grab the water as you move from side to side. It's kinda like a sail boat without the keel board sliding all across the water.

I def see your issue. I think a jet ski would be a lot of fun in a rapid flowing river (like white water) but not a boat. To big to have to bring the nose around in such a tight area........:cheers:

 

[charlieenz]

Thanks Snipe,
Whats the best place to adjust it so it locks by itself. Under the control lever or is there somewhere at the back I can adjust.