Yamaha 8hp, Will Not Steer !

[Mergatroid]

Just bought a h26 with a 2006 Yamaha 8hp, high thrust with throttle controls near the starboard stern rail seat. Previous owner just used the rudder to steer. I want to link the two. But alas, can't get the darn thing to pivot.This model has no tiller or tiller controls. Therefore no tiller lock. Can't find a steering friction adjuster referred to in the manual, does not exist.Any experience or ideas?

 

[Benny]

It is obvious that the motor

was modified to work in a fixed position. Even the throtle controls were removed with the steering arm and routed to the stern of the boat. The friction lock of the engine was also probably disabled by substituting the usual butterfly tightener with a bolt. Having sailed outboard powered sailboats in various configurations have come to the conclusion that the steering capabilities of a small auxilliary outboard are limited. Yes in close quarters being able to vary the direction of thrust may help to manuever but like everything it requires practice. To combine the boat's rudder with a swiveling outboard skeg adds a degree of complexity to the equation as you must also have a way to disengage the engine when sailing. To keep it simple and uniform I have always opted to keep the engine locked but would not go as far as to endorse removing the steering arm and permanently locking it. I had one incident where in very rough waters we lost the kickup rudder on a 21' daysailer. The friction lock on the outboard was released and we powered away making it to the dock with no further problems. The steering was lousy and entailed hard work keeping the boat on course as the stern kept moving from side to side but it did the job. I guess the fact that the engine was offset to one side of the transomm created the steering problems. If I were to recommend one change to your setup it would be to restore the ability to swivel and attach a steering arm just for in case of emergency.

 

[Bilbo]

Yamaha

Not sure about the 8 hp but my 6 HP Yamaha has a bolt on the shaft where it pivots that can be adjusted for the amount of friction that it gives to the pivot. This helps the motor keep on line while it's working. If yours has this feature, it may be set rather tight.

 

[Mergatroid]

Benny and Bilbo

Bilbo, Yes, mine has a hex nut about 6 inches down the shaft, I will try it.Benny,Some good points. FYI, this motor never had a tiller. It was made for remote controls. The ticket for me may be, once I figure out the pivot problem, to fashion a tiller instead of linking the rudder and engine. AS you said, being able to move the motor comes in handy at the dock, higher winds, etc. Regards,Merg.

 

[JerryA]

Steering Separate

I have the Yamaha F8 with the tiller controls on the motor. Very nice motor! I was going to connect my rudder to the outboard so that I only had to steer one. I've decided against it. It is real handy to turn the outboard and use as a thruster of sorts. I sail by myself alot and it's very handy when docking. I have my Yamaha on a Precision 23 and the controls are within easy reach. I'm not sure that is the case on a Hunter 26. Maybe a link connected between the rudder and outboard would work for you if you set it up so that the outboard steers at an accelerated rate, so that moving the tiller a little would move the outboard more. Something like 1.5:1. I could see that working on my boat.Jerry