Rudder Tab and loose steering

[BS74]

I have a 2017 200 with 6.2 engine.  Steering has gotten loose.  MY rudder tab was slightly to the left looking at it from the rear.  I moved it more to the left and seems like it made it worse so will try going back to the right.    Also, hands off the wheel at 32 mph and boat goes straight line.  I would have thought that  with that much left trim tab the boat would really turned to the left.  Second issue is that the steering wheel turns about 1 1/2 to 2 inches before the rudder moves.  I'm going to pull the motor hood this week and look at all connetions and check the cable.

Any suggestions as to direction to trouble shoot.  Rudder is solid, no play, under the dash is solid,  as is tilt hub.

[BGrow76]

With Nautique I think your want the tab to the right when looking from the back?

[dbutcher]

I agree with BGrow76.  The tab should be angled to the right.  That may even reduce the play in the steering wheel some when underway.

[dave2ball]

@BGrow76 slam the rudder tab Al the way to the right  it should be flush with the right side of the rudder   

 

[LeonL]

@BS74 take @dave2ball 's advise and report back.  I think your problems will be solved.

[BS74]

Moved the rudder tab to flush with right side and I'd say it's about a 90% improvement.  Still a little excess steering wheel movement compared to my ski partner's 2019 Nautique, but certainly good to ski.  I'm guessing a new cable, but will wait for a little cooler weather here in Florida.

I might try going a little past flush to the right just to see the reaction, but it's pretty good right now.

Thanks for all the comments!

[dave2ball]

@BS74 slam it as far to the right as possible.  Trust me. 

[BS74]

@dave2ball I didn't slam it all the way right, just slightly fast flush with right side and it is driving really well.  May still take your advice and see what happens!

[LeonL]

Easy change.  Just do it.  @dave2ball knows of what he speaks.  Don't like it, go back.  If slalom is your main thing you'll like it.

[BlueSki]

I had similar issues earlier this year when my trim tab got loose. I replaced the lock washers, now it holds the tab fine and drives great, but I have to have the boat well balanced at slower speeds (e.g., 26 mph). At 32 through 36, the balance is more forgiving. Once you get your tab dialed, you may have to manage the weight depending upon the speeds you drive.

[PatM]

I had a prominent promo driver tell me they like to take a rasp/file to the screw holes to make it go even further to the right.

[DanE]

On 8/28/2023 at 2:19 AM, dave2ball said:

@BGrow76 slam the rudder tab Al the way to the right  it should be flush with the right side of the rudder   

 

When you say slam it to the right and it should be flush with the right side of the rudder do you mean the back edge of the tab moves to the left?

[JackQ]

You need to fix the play in your steering system 1st, the tab is only to adjust the load.

The wheel should not have +1” play before the rudder moves. It can be the cable, the steering head, and if you have a tilt wheel the joints in the mechanism , and the “steering clamp” ball joint  that secures the steering cable to the stringer in the bilge.  All too often when folks replace the cable, they neglect the steering block which can have significant slop after a few years.  I replaced all of the above, and my 2009 steers like new, with no play 

[dave2ball]

@DanE when I mean slam it to the right I mean until you can’t go anymore. This may be flush or it maybe just a tick past flush. 

Edited September 8, 2023 by dave2ball