Steering is very stiff left and ok to right. Autopilot stall

C-Wolfe · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 2:33 am Post subject:

correct me if I'm wrong but, will the first sign of an incorrectly set trim tab will be the boat pulling to one side if you let go of the helm? Serpa4, have you try that, just to confirm if it is a stiff steering or drag from engine pulling to one side. Aldo looking at your pictures, it look like your trim tab are quite far to starboard.

ssobol · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 1:52 pm Post subject:

serpa4 · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 3:27 pm Post subject:

Hunkydory · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 5:59 pm Post subject:

Unless I’m mistaken, A right handed prop causes the stern to move starboard & bow to port. The tab does just the opposite counter balancing the prop effect by trying to move the stern to port & the bow to starboard. From my looking at your photos, I view it from the stern looking forward, as the front of the tab pointed as you say to the left (port) & the rear is to the right or (starboard), so the water hitting the tab is being forced against the starboard side, which is moving the stern to port & making the bow to go toward starboard, which is the proper set up & how my twins are set too. I think you might just have the tabs adjusted somewhat to far in the direction they are now, causing it had to steer to port at higher speeds & the auto pilot to overwork trying to correct to much tab set turn to starboard.

NORO LIM · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 6:13 pm Post subject:

A possible "point" of confusion on the tab:
Some may think of the tab "pointing" as indicated by the movement of the edge of the tab furthest from the tab's pivot point, i.e., which way has the line of the tab moved off center, or which way has the aft edge of the tab moved;
Others may think of the tab "pointing" in whichever direction a line extending forward through the front edge of the tab is pointing.

Has the AFT edge of the tab been offset to port or to starboard?

thataway · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 6:21 pm Post subject:

It seems that the "torque tab" is over whelming the conversation about the problem. The stiff steering seemed to be the problem--is the steering too stiff, or is the pump under size for the size of ram (motor)?

I don't think that the auto pilot stalling is due to "incorrect" setting of the tab.

serpa4 · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 6:38 pm Post subject:

serpa4 · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 6:50 pm Post subject:

serpa4 · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 7:06 pm Post subject:

The SeaStar website says a Suzuki 200 4cyl needs a HC5345-3 cylinder.
The SeaStar HC5345-3 says it is: 8.34 Cubic inches in volume capacity.

This is an assumption since I don't know what ram cylinder I have.

On the Garmin site it says:
1.0 Liter pump:

Used for single-cylinder applications with cylinder volumes under ten cubic inches. Check, good.

A single-engine under 150 HP. Nope, I have 200 hp.

Used on Vessels under 25 feet in LOA. Nope, boat is Venture 26.

Not used in pressurized air systems. Check, good.

Used in cruising application only, no high-performance situations that include drastic and erratic movements. Check, not a race boat.

It is not recommended for fishing or applications that require holding heading while trolling at low speeds or operating in rough waters. Nope, don't care. But I do like to use it at hull speed.

It cannot be used in Verado or UFLEX Pro systems. Check, not applicable.

ssobol · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 7:07 pm Post subject:

From my Honda manual:

serpa4 · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 7:38 pm Post subject:

colbysmith · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 8:00 pm Post subject:

I think most folks think in terms of where the tail of the tab is pointing in reference to port or starboard.

This image above is of my outboard's trim tab, looking up from the ground. As you can see it's set 3 points to starboard. In this position, it helps to counteract the RH props tendency to torque the outboard to starboard. The tab is pushing the outboard to port when in fast flowing water. Ie, on plane. When I'm at fast cruise, the torque on my outboard from the prop is countered by the tab. Thereby making no difference in pressure needed to steer right or left.

I had a .5L autopilot pump on my 22's 115. It would occasionally stall as it tried to correct for heading. (Pump moved the motor to slow, so kept moving it until hard over, and then would stall.)

I think you are on the right track to adjust the tab in increments while on the water, running at a planing speed you normally run at. Once you get it set to where your steering requires the same amount of pressure to turn right or left, then run your autopilot and see what happens. You also want to insure your hydraulics don't have any air in the system, and that all your hoses are kink free. Colby

C-Wolfe · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 8:29 pm Post subject:

I think Noro Lim got it right about where the confusion might be coming from on the port/starboard.
I see the trim tab as mini rudder to counteract the prop wash tendency to make the boat not track perfectly straight, not necessarily moving the actual engine.
I Also have the Garmin 1.0L pump, difference from yours is 22 ft boat, twin 50HP (100HP total) single ram-seastar HC- 5370-3 (8.3 to 9.9 cu.in.) So far, no issue with it goin hull speed or on. step. I even used the auto pilot with the kicker, 6hp on port side bracket using the main engines as rudder, work great.

serpa4 · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 8:57 pm Post subject:

Yes, I call it pointing (the tip) to port, you all call it pointing (tail) to starboard. Same, same. Now I get it.
Yours is certainly pointed more than mine. I'll move mine around.
As for the auto pilot, I think 22 is also less beam plus 100ph less. I'll do the tab before I play with the autopilot, but think it's undersized. But if it works, I'll keep it. New pump is like $900!

C-Wolfe · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2023 12:59 am Post subject:

Yes, 22 is less beam, less weight, wetted surface and les HP, but I think you have a steering cylinder with volume within spec. Should still work fine at low to medium speed, higher speed might start to overwhelm your auto pilot. If you decide to replace it, I think you have to replace the whole system since the compact use a different ECU. The 1.2, 2.0 and smart pump are interchangable.