Steering pulls to the right

[Curious]

I know this is kinda old school, but...I kept the original teleflex helm and steering cable in my boat because both work great, despite their age.  The only problem is the steering pulls to the right something fierce so I was wondering if anyone has played around with the trim tab on the base of the cavitation plate and can tell me which way to adjust it to get the pull out?  I'm pretty sure most everyone has gone with the NFB or Hyrdo but any advice on the old fashioned method would be much appreciated!
Thanks, Dan
PS:  96 Yamaha 200 Saltwater Series

[Capt. Bob]

The torque tab may help some but I think you'll find (as you already realize) changing your steering system is what would help the most.
Move the tab to the right (standing at the rear looking forward).

[wingtime]

As Bob mentioned you need to try adjusting your trim tab.  It may take some trial and error to get it right.  200HP is about the max you want for cable steering.  What your feeling is the torque of the motor.

[Curious]

Thanks guys, I knew I would be dealing with this but it pulls harder than I thought it would.  I should just get off my wallet and go hydraulic but in the meantime I go to the right with the tab?
Thanks,Dan

[Capt. Bob]

but in the meantime I go to the right with the tab?

Dan,
That is correct. To help picture in your mind what is occurring, stand behind the boat and have someone turn the helm (wheel) to the right, the direction you feel the wheel pulling. Now look at the position of the motor. It too will have rotated to the right (counter clockwise). The tab is used as a lever (I believe that is correct) to use the force of the water passing over it to push (counteract) that right rotation by forcing the motor back to the left (clockwise). By turning the tab to the right, you expose more of the surface area to the flow of water and increase the force in the opposite direction. All sounds good in theory but the results may be less than perfect in real operation. Try rotating the tab in small increments to find the best position.

Good luck.

[gran398]

After the adjustment above, at normal cruise, trim the engine up in slow bursts. You should at some point feel the steering torque go neutral.  That is your sweet spot.

[Curious]

Sweet!  Thanks for the advice.  As always, a wealth of knowledge.

[Curious]

OK, it gets weirder.  I haven't had a chance to move the tab yet.  But, at slower speeds when I let go of the wheel it travels to the right, (clockwise).  Today, while at WOT with the engine trimmed up pretty good and at 5100 RPMs, it wanted to travel to the left.  I didn't really "let go" of the wheel at that point but I released my grip for a second or two and it definately wanted to wander left or counterclockwise.  Any thougts?  
Thanks, Dan

[fitz73222]

OK, it gets weirder.  I haven't had a chance to move the tab yet.  But, at slower speeds when I let go of the wheel it travels to the right, (clockwise).  Today, while at WOT with the engine trimmed up pretty good and at 5100 RPMs, it wanted to travel to the left.  I didn't really "let go" of the wheel at that point but I released my grip for a second or two and it definately wanted to wander left or counterclockwise.  Any thougts?  
Thanks, Dan

It's not uncommon for for the wheel to pull to the left then right depending on speed and trim angle. Next time you are on plane, play with the trim in and out until you find a neutral wheel torque at your comfortable cruise speed.  You will find it...

[Curious]

OK thanks.  I guess that's what Gran was talking about.  So do I still play around with the sacrificial zinc tab on the motor?

[dburr]

OK thanks.  I guess that's what Gran was talking about.  So do I still play around with the sacrificial zinc tab on the motor?

Yes, it will be most effective if it is not worn and pitted (has the most surface area). If you cruise at say 4200, you should try to adjust for 0 torque at that speed.  The faster you go the more "authority" the tab will have so when you go faster then where the neutral spot is it is going to pull to the left, you haven't done anything wrong, it's just old man Newton getting his way..

It will take a couple of tries, but be patient it is worth it, my little whaler is straight as an arrow at cruise, but at WOT it pulls left, and slow plane it pulls right.

Good luck!

[Curious]

Played around some more today with the trim angle of the motor and sure enough I was able to tweek it to where it would run nice and straight at cruise RPMs.  Still have yet to experiment with the tab but thanks again for the advice!

[gran398]

Good deal, you got it

Easiest thing, when you first get her on plane at the start of the day, get the sweet spot...set it and forget it. You should still have plenty of hole shot, even with her trimmed up a bit. Give it a try.

[Curious]

Exactly what I did!  Thanks again.

[Robob]

Thanks to all.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING:-)