Speedo and Alignment Problem

[dubbwelsh 0]

Took my new-to-me 05 Centurion Elite C4 on its maiden voyage today. Everything all good except I have no speedo and the steeringwheel (rudder) seems to be 90 deg off to the port side (pulls starboard when positioned straight). I guess my question is, what are some things or logical steps to troubleshoot speedo now that its in my driveway AND can a guy align the rudder and wheel pretty easily? I'm no stranger to the wrenches, just looking for some "check this first" advice before I get to tearing into it, I'd like to get back on the lake fully working ASAP! Thanks in advance! (originally posted in general, but realized post belonged here)

[CeeDee 16]

Not sure on your speedo but as for the steering wheel. Under the helm where the steering cable attaches you should be able to undo the four bolts holding it on and just shift it over one tooth. Mine was off when I changed my steering cable, didn't get it on in the same spot.

[dubbwelsh 0]

Thanks CeeDee. It weird though, when I line up the rudder straight, the wheel is straight (trailered), but underway its not. Side note: when reversing the boat pulls starboard (90% of the time) even when wheel is turned or turning, from center to port, so reversing to starboard is fine, but when I want to go portside I still seem to spin to the left. Is this just of symptom of me being a green when navigating a sterndrive? Never seemed to have a problem swinging stern when reversing on any I/Os I've run on the lake.

[Kevin Baugh 78]

That's not strange the torque of the prop and the tuning of the rudder can require that the rudder not be straight

for the boat to go straight.

 

"when reversing the boat pulls starboard (90% of the time) even when wheel is turned or turning, from center to port, so reversing to starboard is fine, but when I want to go portside I still seem to spin to the left"

 

This is the way a V drive or Direct drive work nothing odd about that at all... it just requires some advanced planning when docking etc

Edited May 27, 2013 by Kevin Baugh

[superdtf 68]

Kevin's right. And if you want to align your steering wheel, I wouldn't crack the helm. I'd take the wrenches with me. Get it going straight. Power down (without moving the wheel). Pop the steering wheel off, and put it back on straight. But this is loaded. If you set the wheel straight up on plane, it won't be straight at idle, etc. So pick your favorite one.

 

And yes, imagine the propeller as a little paddlewheel trying to move the rear end of your boat to the starboard side while in reverse. And the same happens going forward, but there's a rudder directing the cylinder of thrust from the propeller.

 

Make sense?

[dubbwelsh 0]

Thanks all. It makes sense, just wanted to make sure it was an experience thing not a mechanical one!

[Skibumm 184]

Your speedo I am guessing is either diconnected or clogged. . IF you look on the back you will see a speedo pick up. Attached to that is a rubber tube that goes up to the speedo. They are very easy to clog. First check to see if the rubber hose is attacvhed at both the pick up and the back of the speedometer.if they are both connected then you will need to see if anything is in the pick up hole if there is nothing you can see then pull off the rubber tube and also the one on the back of the speedo and hit it with the air compressor. Attach it back to the pick up and hit it again with the compressor. Put the compressor on the speedometer side and force it back out the way i came in.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Skibumm