Hard to steer

« **on:** May 14, 2016, 12:28:41 PM »

I have a Advantage 20.5 closed bow, AT, with a ride plate and Turbine trim. The boat steers with zero effort at idle. Once any throttle is given to it becomes very hard (two hands and a ton of effort) to steer. I used to have a rudder and took it off and it didn't help. I have changed steering and even replaced the trim with a new one and it has made zero difference. GS marine suggested that a Place Diverter may correct the problem because of the way the reverse is on the nozzle. On the American Turbine trim the reverse chute looks like a scoop into the oncoming water. Place Diverters have some aluminum cast onto the nozzle that allows a flat riding surface. Has anyone ran into this problem and does this sound like it can be a cure?

« **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2016, 01:11:41 PM »

Might be dumb question but did you put the shims around the pins when you assembled

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« **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2016, 01:16:10 PM »

Yes sir. Like I mentioned before same thing with two different trim/steering nozzle set ups and two different complete helms and cables. I am almost to the point on scrounging up a fixed nozzle and seeing if there is a difference.

« **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2016, 05:20:52 PM »

i had calgo on both my boats steering was terrible on both seems the sleeving and cable had friction from years of none use changed to old school steering much improvement

« **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2016, 09:13:17 AM »

I replaced the Calgo cable once and installed a new Teleflex rotary system and did not make a difference. I replaced the Turbine trim that cam with the boat with a brand new unit and no change in the steering. Removed the rudder no change. I had Brad at River Speed and Sport in Blythe do a visual inspection and he said everything looked and felt ok on the trailer. I guess I will try a non-trim steering nozzle Memorial Day and see if that makes any difference. This is driving me crazy. Any ideas out there?

« **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2016, 09:39:41 AM »

Is this a new-to-you boat? Or, did this issue slowly become the problem it is now?

What nozzle setups did you run? The two in the pics you posted?

Can you post pics of you entire pump, ride plate, and nozzle?

Have you pulled the nozzles apart where they go up/down and left/right? There are o-ring type bushings inside. Maybe they're worn out causing the nozzle to bind when there is pressure behind it.

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« **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2016, 09:58:15 AM »

I have been fighting this for years. It has been like this since I bought the boat. I have changed out two complete American Turbine hydraulic trim set ups. The issue was the same with a brand new complete nozzle/trim assembly. I do not have any pictures of the pump, ride plate nozzle set up. It is at the river. The pics I posted is a Turbine trim and a Place Diverter. I was showing the difference on the pad before the reverse part of the nozzle. I was told if I switch to a PD it might make a difference. I want more opinions on this.

« **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2016, 01:25:16 PM »

Quote from: Patch on May 15, 2016, 09:58:15 AM

I have been fighting this for years. It has been like this since I bought the boat. I have changed out two complete American Turbine hydraulic trim set ups. The issue was the same with a brand new complete nozzle/trim assembly. I do not have any pictures of the pump, ride plate nozzle set up. It is at the river. The pics I posted is a Turbine trim and a Place Diverter. I was showing the difference on the pad before the reverse part of the nozzle. I was told if I switch to a PD it might make a difference. I want more opinions on this.

Do you have a picture of your actual nozzle? I had installed two of these years ago and the king pin holes were drilled incorrectly. AT sent me new ones and no more issues.

I'm trying to remember exactly what the issue was, but they were truly undriveable.

GT

« **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2016, 01:31:46 PM »

I do not have a picture of the nozzle. The boat is out in Blythe.

« **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2016, 01:57:23 PM »

Next time you are at the boat, turn the wheel lock to lock and try to wiggle the nozzle up and down, side to side. I want to say the top pin hole was drilled to far "in" for the way the gimbal hole was machined. It would tighten up when turned. There should be a little wiggle in the nozzle all the way from lock to lock. Any tight spots will cause what you are experiencing under thrust.

Meanwhile, I'll try to remember what the issue was.

GT

Patch

Hard to steer

Squirrel Master

Hard to steer

Patch

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riverboatmike

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Patch

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JordanDangerfield

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Patch

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GT Jets

Re: Hard to steer

Patch

Re: Hard to steer

GT Jets

Re: Hard to steer