Boat steering how does it work

Planetary gear type: This alternative style uses three or more gears that mesh internally with the cable drum to move the core of the steering cable. They fit outboards up to V-4 size only. You can buy replacement rack helms and cables separately, or save money by ordering a mechanical steering kit from either Uflex or Seastar Solutions.

The rack and pinion helm includes a pinion gear fitted directly on the steering shaft that engages a rack gear in a tubular housing. Rack steering is the most efficient mechanical system for moving the cable, but its drawback is its width. Rack steering requires a long rack housing that cannot fit behind many dashboards. The primary difference between a rack and pinion and rotary helm is the form factor of the helm—how it fits in the space behind the mounting surface.

Rotary helms extend a few inches above and below the axis of the steering wheel, and a few inches in the opposite direction of the steering cable. On boats with very low dashboards, rotary helms may not have enough vertical clearance. Rack and pinion helms are long rectangular boxes extending about 1' away from the direction of the cable, but they are very compact vertically.

Faster gear ratios require fewer turns, but there is heavier helm pressure to offset engine torque. Slower gear ratios 4. With traditional steering systems, the engine has a tendency to turn to the right, which the driver compensates for by keeping pressure to the left on the wheel. You will want to continue this steering wheel process until you see a stream without any air in it.

Once you see no additional air, close the bleeder nipple. If you do not plan or need to use an entire bottle of steering fluid, you can poke your hole on the side and not the bottom of the bottle. Doing so with a pushpin will enable you to put this pin back into the hole once you are finished.

This can allow you to keep what is left in the bottle for future use. As mentioned, the power steering in most boats is very reliable and you will often not encounter issues. However, as with all things, boats can have malfunctions and you can experience issues with your power steering.

The main problem here is that you do not want to be miles from land and have steering issues, which makes educating yourself on these issues important. In most cases, you can salvage a situation before you are completely stuck and steering rarely completely fails. You do want to take steps to keep yourself safe, no matter how reliable your boat is. However, some common boat issues you may experience and what to do if you experience them are:. It is important to note one more time that steering fluid does not simply disappear and if your fluid is low there is a leak.

Unfortunately, you will often not notice the fluid leak until it is too late. However, if you do notice visible fluid leaks in your hydraulics, this is a sign that you have air in your steering, and you should keep this in mind:.

If you are uncertain you have a leak, simply bring along a bottle of steering fluid in your boat. You can top up the oil for smaller leaks and for a temporary solution. If you are out on the water, topping off the fluid can help you get back to land. If your hydraulic system has clean, uncontaminated oil, it should run smoothly. However, if any contamination occurs, it can cause the whole system to fail.

This can be caused by practically anything, including minor amounts of abrasive dirt. As previously mentioned, this dirt or dust can occur when the hydraulic system is installed. If this is not noticed early on, the steering fluid will be added, and the debris remains. You will want to check your fluids for signs of this debris and replace it to avoid issues. Another common issue is that your steering will feel almost spongy, which is caused by air in your hydraulics.

You will notice this if you are turning the steering wheel hard in either direction and the steering bounces back.

This is a sign that there is air trapped in the steering which can make it unpredictable and can cause it to fail. You will want to bleed the air from the system to avoid this bouncy steering feeling. Steering fluid is specially formulated to have a high compression strength, but air compresses rather easily since it is a gas—this causes sponginess and bounciness.

You do not want to be out on the water with unpredictable steering as this can be very dangerous. You have probably heard of play in the steering, as this can be an issue with automobiles and boats alike. This often happens in boats when there is a leak in the steering system. You will want to follow the similar steps mentioned above in the leak section, by checking the ram for wetness and looking over hoses.

If you are noticing minor play in your wheel, it could be basic hydraulics. This style of steering almost always has some minor play. However, if you ever notice an increase in play in your steering, you will want to keep this in mind:. When you turn your wheel, your boat should react accordingly. However, this is an issue that can arise with power steering and you may notice a reduced response from your steering system.

Quality hydraulic steering should be highly responsive, and your boat should show quick reaction when things are working smoothly. This is because the hydraulic fluid itself transmits the motion from the wheel to the rudder. Once again, play in the wheel is most likely low fluids, which is most likely caused by a leak. If you are out on the water and notice increasingly bad play in the wheel, you may want to top off your fluids and get closer to land. When you are able, follow the steps above to look for leaks, bleed the air, and replace your fluids.

A final issue you may notice from your hydraulic power steering system is that your boat may begin drifting. If your boat begins to drift uncontrollably and is doing so without you changing your steering wheel or rudder, you clearly have an issue with your steering system. This is often caused through issues with the helm or the cylinder. You will want to start repairing this issue by, you guessed it, checking for leaks in your valves and cylinder. You may need to have professional help with these issues and have both your cylinder and helm serviced.

Most of the issues mentioned above will not cause your steering system to fail completely. However, they can make it challenging to use your boat and should be repaired quickly if possible. Of course, if you are out on the water when these issues show themselves, you may find yourself in a situation where your power steering fails you.

If you are in a situation where your steering fails, you will want to follow these steps to avoid getting stranded in the water:. Now you know the ins and outs of power steering when it comes to your boat. Select the SeaStar 1.

It operates at pressures up to 1,psi, and offers the best steering control and reduced wheel walk and chatter. Its increased 2. The SeaStar regular helm is available in 2.

Replace the standard helm with a tilt model. The cylinder: Consisting of a ram, bored cylinder and attaching hardware, the cylinder is moved by fluid pumped from the helm when the wheel is turned. This type of cylinder is what is known as a balanced cylinder , meaning that port and starboard deflections take the same amount of hydraulic fluid. This, in turn, makes it ideal for autopilots, since they act symmetrically port and starboard.

Note that some older BayStar steering kits HK and HK use an unbalanced cylinder, and cannot be used with autopilots. There are a wide variety of inboard and sterndrive cylinders available to fit practically any boat, but selecting the right ones can be tricky. SeaStar Solutions formerly Teleflex offers extensive technical help at their web site, www.

Of course please contact us if you need more information. Steering Hose: A special hydraulic hose that carries the fluid from the helm to the cylinder and back. Outboard steering hoses are pre-manufactured to specific lengths. Modification after manufacture is not recommended and could result in steering failure.

Call For a Tow You'll need to remove the fill cap on the steering before topping up the oil. Cable Systems Popular for many decades, "push-pull" cable systems are still the standard on many runabouts, fishing craft, and pontoons, particularly the entry level and lower cost models. Proper maintenance consists of the following: Apply a light application of waterproof marine grease annually.

Avoid using too much, as globs of grease will harden over time and cause stiffness and binding. Remove the cable from the engine by removing the steering arm nut and the large cable nut that attaches the cable to the outboard.

Pull the cable out from the engine's tilt tube. Remove all the old grease from the cable ram end. Steer the cable all the way out until fully extended and remove all grease and dirt from the inner sleeve of the cable as well. Apply a thin coating of grease to both the outside and inside of the cable, then reinstall it into the engine tilt tube. Tighten the tube attachment nut and reinstall the steering arm nut.

If the engine's tilt tube is especially rusty or dirty inside, buy a tilt tube cleaning brush available at your local marine dealer or search "steering tube cleaning brush" online. If the steering cable is stuck inside the engine tube, you may have to rap the end of the steering cable to get it to move. Be sure to put a bolt on the link end at the end of the cable, otherwise it will quickly deform it as you tap it.

You may need to use a block of wood to cushion the blows. Use a lubricant such as Liquid Wrench to help it move. When you get the cable end out, again apply lubricant while cleaning the tube with the brush chucked into a cordless drill at high speed. This makes a mess, so protect the boat and engine with rags and be ready for cleanup. Some boat transoms are so crowded the motor must be removed in order to pull out the steering cable.

If yours is like this and you're not equipped to unbolt and lift the outboard from the transom, bring it to a dealer or servicing mechanic. Systems are available online or from your local dealer. Even marine parts stores typically stock replacement cables and complete systems. Hydraulic Systems If you're in need of a new system, strongly consider a hydraulic one.

Use caps when you bleed the ports to prevent dirt entry. Selection Most rigs come from the manufacturer with steering already installed, connected and bled, ready for use. This rear photo of a hydraulic helm and fittings shows the hose hookup.

Here are some tips when selecting a system: You don't have to spend upward of a grand on your system if your rig is a smaller one, has an engine with less than horsepower, and top speed is under 50 mph.