Anti corrosion tip

[bernithebiker]

This one may well be known to some of the salty sea dogs out there, but I didn't and thought it quite a useful one;

When the boat is being kept at sea, or going into storage, turn the engine fully to the left. This then keeps the engine's steering bar tucked inside it's protective casing and shrouded in grease, rather than leaving it out and exposed to the elements.

Just got back from a short holiday on Belle Ile - good crossing if a little choppy, all 14 miles of it. Cruised at about 20 knots due to chop, and as waves were coming from the side, the passengers at the rear got a little wet! 1.5nm per litre. Max speed 38.5 knots. Fantastic place to visit with a RIB, it's like having all of Cornwall condensed into a (big) island, but sunny.....

[Poly]

bern - i'm not totally convinced. I find my stearing gets "stuck" after a few months on non-use if sitting outside. The stuck bit is inside the steering tube. The solution is either repeated wiggling of the wheel or a gentle tap with a hammer (pushing the bar to port). This frees it up and lets me get everything moving, cleaned and greased again. If it were "fully to the left" their may not be enough movement remaining to tap or "wiggle" it free. I prefer to leave it slightly to the left and just liberally smear grease over the exposed parts.

[alystra]

Likewise, a bit concerned about putting it so far over that there's no 'wiggle' space. It seems to me that the problem is the grease, which hardens in the tube. I solved the problem (maybe only partially) by using loads of 3in1 oil, which softened the old grease and has so far kept the steering free.

[BruceB]

I am also not convinced, after a few months non-use mine also stuck in the tube.
In fact my old Hydraulic steering also stuck if left for more than a few months as well and this is full of oil......

[gaelforce]

i hang engine to the left when trailering. If a mishap occurs the boat would dive away from oncoming traffic. This tip for left-hand drive countries only.

[shirehorse]

What do you do if the rod stays still and the ram moves from side to side as my steering does leaving the fully exposed rod either one side or tother.

[9D280]

Originally Posted by gaelforce

i hang engine to the left when trailering. If a mishap occurs the boat would dive away from oncoming traffic. This tip for left-hand drive countries only.

eh? Half a ton plus of rib coming off a trailer or the whole lot detatching itself from the car at any speed I would imagine the engine position is slightly irrelevant?


I tow with mine tilted to the left primarily to keep all the dirt & grot that the road throws up off the grease on the ram, to which it will stick & eventually turn to grinding paste.

[walruz]

I lost one steering cable this way and had a second one jam even though I was turning it once a week. I now centre mine and find it doesn't jam as much. It's only a guess but perhaps the weight of the engine helps to fix it in place and keeps pressure on it therefore helping it to stick.

Ian

[Nos4r2]

I use corrosion block grease on mine. It doesn't go solid.

[bernithebiker]

Interesting comments.......

It was our local Yamaha certified mechanic that gave me the tip.

Perhaps the best bet is to leave it half in, half out, i.e. engine centered......, hey who cares, I'm selling it anyway, petrol's getting way too expensive!