Steering Issues. Still...

[OrangeAnimal]

Well I recently removed one part of the problem but still have some pretty serious steering problems.

Just when the boat starts to plane out the thing starts turning port side (left) then as I turn starboard (right) it starts leaning that direction as well. It will go kinda straight when it is doing this but very unsafe in rough water or crossing wake.

I found that the bushings on the reverse bucket are somewhat loose (ok one is completely missing lol). I am not sure how that could cause a problem like this. I did notice that the bucket hangs kinda close to the nozzle could this make it happen? I don't really know what else could.

Anyone know how much clearance I should have between the nozzle and the bucket while in forward? I hope to get this all corrected very very soon. I have family coming out this week.

Oh the boat is a 00 Challenger 1800 M2 Jet Drive. Thanks !

 

[OrangeAnimal]

Anyone got any thoughts or ideas? Am I on the right track?

 

[ski33]

try takeing the bucket off .i have done this on two of my jet boats and didnt realy miss it at all becouse they can turn on the spot anyway!
but just give it a shot without it to eliminate the bucket!

 

[OrangeAnimal]

Well as much as I would like to take the bucket off where I launch the boat I would never get it back to the launch to load it on the trailer. Too many idiots around there.

 

[ski33]

i have the same problem but the boat was realy easy to handel without it and one of them was my speedster twin 110s!
you may have cavitation issuses though try looking at your impelor and wear ring for damage with a flash light! also ill go and take a pic of my bucket for you to have an idea of the clearence!

 

[OrangeAnimal]

Thanks. I know the wear ring and impeller have alittle wear on them but the clearance still seems tight. I tried the flashlight trick and couldn't see light coming thru from the other side. Although I don't really see how on the single engine boat it could make the steering off to on side. Is it acutally possible for it to happen with the single engine? I am at the very least glad I am getting to this now. I have a trip to a really nice boating and skiing place but it's about a month and half until that happens. So I got some time to play with it and get it all right.

 

[ski33]

my advise to you then would be to upgrade to prem mebership and get expert advise !

 

[scooper77515]

Hey, Animal, where are you boating at? We do Lake Houston almost every weekend (skipped this weekend due to the 100 degree weather).

If we could meet somewhere, we could compare boats and see if something is worn or broken. I live in Angleton, about 30 mins west of you. The wife and I could even take a trip to Kemah one day and take a look.

Or, meet me at Pearland where I keep mine stored, and we can compare slack and movement.

We tend to stay in fresh water, hence lake houston. Closest true fresh water that we know of. Even San Jacinto river tends to be brackish unless we have had a little rain. Last time we were there, they were catching redfish right below the dam. So I quit going there until we start to get a little rain again. IF we ever start to get a little rain again:ack:

 

[OrangeAnimal]

Scooper, I have taken it out to clear lake 2 times since I got it. The water is ok as long as you don't go out into the bay. Once you get past the bridge by the board walk it gets pretty salty. Although I have gone out that far. I flush it well after every outting.

I hear lake houston has alot of stumps and trees so I haven't gone out that way. My brother in law goes to lake Conroe alot. It's really busy there though.

I took the bucket off this morning and it does seem like it was interferring with the nozzle some.

That would be great to meet up sometime. Only issue is finding time. I am about to go out of town for a family reunion and will be leaving this thursday. But if you get some time before then I have all week to goof off before I go.

Ski33 Where is the top of the bucket in relation to that picture? I am guessing the pic needs to be rotated?

 

[scooper77515]

Lake houston is BIG!!! if you go north of 1960 bridge, up near kingwood, you will start to find stumps here and there. most are marked with milkjugs and other floaties.

But if you stay south of 1960 and away from the Atascocita shore, it is DEEP. Most of what I ride in is 12-35' deep. Where we wake board it is 12', and on rough days we wakeboard near the dam in 25-40' deep water.

We have had absolutely no issue with sucking anything up, and never had a problem with logs as long as we stay in the areas I am talking about.

So, you have a 5X15 mile stretch with no logs. There are a couple of boat ramps, and a couple of friendly beaches to hang out on, and lots of good company!

We almost stayed at SouthShore Harbor last July for our anniversary, but at that point, I wanted to steer clear of salt water so we woosed out. Just straight fresh water from here on out.

If you ever decide to go to the fresh water, let me know by PM and we will try to be there to meet up with you:cheers:

 

[OrangeAnimal]

Cool I will keep you posted. We will head out that way sometime in the near future. Maybe the weekend after the forth. I know that every body of water is going to be full of boats this upcoming weekend. Also I know some other great places to boat unfortunately they are not close. I am going on a trip over labor day. Look up Amistad Resivour. It's south of San Antonio. The water there is clear and deep. Very good fishing place too. It's on the Texas/Mexico Border.

 

[scooper77515]

We haven't gone that far on a trip yet. Just as far as Lake Somerville.

If the wife doesn't have plans, we just might be up for a trip...:hurray: