How Tight Should Tiller Steering Be?

[The Bass Stalker]

Hope its not a silly question, but how tight should you make the steering on a mariner 30hp 2 stroke 05 outboard? Can you damage by having too tight?

Having just bought an aux which came with a manual, I realised you could tighten it up. I've had it 5 years and didn't realise, I know, really stupid, and I'm not blonde.
Having had friends try and drive my quicksilver 430hd with a tiller steer, they've scared me to death and lucky not to flip it because it torque steered a lot and was quite a handful. One lady just let go and screamed!

So last wknd I tweaked it with a spanner and its soo much easier. But how tight should it be? I assume so its not too heavy to steer and when you let go it won't jam into full lock?

Just thought I'd check with you guys, don't be too hard on me. Not sure where to get a manual but would probably be a good idea.

Who knows, I might actually now let someone else drive it.

[stray]

Till it feels right for you. My mercury has a little lever marked Co pilot, I just slide it across till it feels right for me.

[Max...]

As he said, what is comfortable and safe for you - not flopping about but not really hard either (oo-err )

[Peter_C]

Torque steer can be adjusted out by that little rudder under the cavitation plate.

[The Bass Stalker]

Thanks for help.

I think widget is ok as it only wanted to torque steer when turning, good thought though. Was basically too loose so any lump or bump it wanted to go off. Was so much easier when tighter, just didn't want to over tighten.

[SIBer]

I have mine so I can let go and it stays in the same direction but can still steer easily.

[The Bass Stalker]

Originally Posted by SIBer

I have mine so I can let go and it stays in the same direction but can still steer easily.

Thanks. That's about how I have it now. So nice to feel comfortable in straight line. Feel happier shadowing the kids with it tighter too, before it could rip it out there hands hence not letting anyone near it.

[Locozodiac]

Adjust tiller stearing load to a point that boat runs straight when tiller is released, if loose and you fell from boat, boat will circle you. Needs an adjustmentt from time to time as engine vibration tends to loosen bolt. Don't adjust too tight or could ruin internal friction mechanism.

Happy Boating

[The Bass Stalker]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

Adjust tiller stearing load to a point that boat runs straight when tiller is released, if loose and you fell from boat, boat will circle you. Needs an adjustmentt from time to time as engine vibration tends to loosen bolt. Don't adjust too tight or could ruin internal friction mechanism.

Happy Boating

Thanks. Sounds like I've got it about right now then. Kill cord would obviously stop circling but good point. Annoyed that I didn't realise a few years ago. I had always put it down to just being a fairly big engine being steered via the tiller. Doh