Classic Australian Wooden Power Boat Association

Ok, question for the outboard guys. When setting the steering cables up how do I allow for tilting the motor forward without losing tension on the steering drum. I have some ideas but if there is a correct way then that's what I'll do, cheers

there is a bit of info here on similar US boat steering here might be helpful
http://www.dillon-racing.com/pro-tunnel ... age-14.htm

When do you need the engine to tilt forward Ray?. From experience with racing alloy punts on the river here you will go better with the motor locked into position to maintain trim.When Alan and I assisted Stuart to set upJupiter at Narrandera it had springs in the steering cables . These may have been for tension

Are you preparing for similar situations?

Hey Andy, i'm thinking ahead to moving the boat around. If i have to tilt to travel or remove the motor all together i dont want to have to rewind the drum each time, if thats the only option the so be it but i just wanted some ideas before i go down that path

Talk to the pigeon Raza, quick story! He had to wind the cable up on the drum before an outing and got it wrong way around so turning left it went right and no matter how you tried you could not convince “the brain” to steer the opposite way!!! I believe once he got it right when the motor was removed the steering cables were just tied off in the hull under a small amount of tension? Unless you trailer it you will be removing the engine for transport. Does it have a starter motor?

Yes Andy is right, outboards will have springs to tension the cables keeping them on the drum. I would also suggest once you find the right position height and possibly trim at speed that will be a fixed position.

Ray - re that FB pic of the steering set up - if you massage the steering bracket so the pick up points are on direct centerline of the tilt/trim axis - then the steering will work without any slackness. The big boys do basically the same thing but use hydraulic cylinders centered on the tilt / trim axis
It might be BS but easy to test by clamping a couple blocks of wood on the steer plate with holes in the axis c/line - it should steer / tilt / trim without any change in tension. duplication of measurements side to side would be critical

I set the steering up today and came up with this
The little Springs hold tension on the drum when the motor is tilted, just need to tidy up the cable side of things