outboard cable adjustment

[coke39294]

Hi all, i have just bought our first boat that has a Yamaha four stroke 9.9hp engine,but at slow speeds ( not that it's a speed merchant) there is about a 90 degree movement on the steering wheel before engine /rudder moves, it seems a lot of play! ,zig / zags in a straight line ? is this normal ? can i adjust from the rear ? boat is only used on canals / rivers (G.B.) many thanks in anticipation.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Check for worn / loose linkage in the engine area. Any movement from the steering cable SHOULD be transferred to the engine.

If its an older engine and the pivot shaft (that the engines rotates right and left on) is worn, that would account for excess play.

The steering box/cable at the control helm could also have some excess wear.

BTW, going slow, say 5 MPH, no matter how tight the steering, it's going to zig zag and is normal. The faster the vessel speed, the faster its going to respond to any steering input..