Venture 37 steering delay

A

Awesomeboat

New Member
Oct 13, 2019
10
Boat Info
37 venture
Engines
Don’t know
Good afternoon. Just picked up a low hour 2015 sea ray venture 37. We thought the steering felt off during the drive but didn’t seem to bother us too much. Now as we use it more we are noticing this steering is just unsafe. It’s because there’s a pretty huge delay from the time you turn until the boat moves. Everything feels smooth but just the delay is plain dangerous. Can you guys help me at least figure out where to start
 
Need a better description. When you turn the wheel, do the motors move immediately but the boats direction has a delay before it reacts, or when you turn the steering wheel there is a delay before the motors move?
Do you have joystick control?
 
Ok. I’ll try.
While driving if you turn suddenly, there’s like a three second delay before the steering reacts. Also it feels as though you have to turn the wheel a lot more in proportion to how much the boat turns. Yes the delay is in the movement of the motors as well. We are pretty familiar with boats and this doesn’t feel normal.
Yes we also have the joystick control
the biggest issue we have is finding someone who knows this steering to service it. They’re all guessing at best.
Thank you so much
 
The outboards are moving just fine. There’s just a delay and you have to turn the wheel a lot more to get a smaller physical turn. It feels electronic. I just can’t find any literature or troubleshooting docs
 
Awesomeboat said:
Yes the delay is in the movement of the motors as well.
Click to expand...
Awesomeboat said:
The outboards are moving just fine.
Click to expand...

I'm confused. If you turn the wheel....do the outboards move instantly or is there a delay?

If there is a delay....the first thing I would check is the hydraulic steering fluid and pump.

This is your Parts Manual and the Steering system is on pages 96 and 97. The reservoir is under the cover on #7.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/srweb-pvt-...rts-manuals/2015_2015-VN-370-Parts-Manual.pdf
 
Confused also. Do the motors move in real time with the steering wheel, or are you saying you move the wheel, then there is a 3 second delay for the motors to move?
 
Ok. I guess a better way to phrase is the motors move disproportionately to the amount you are turning the wheel. Like you have to make a large turn on the steering wheel to make a small turn on the boat. There is a delay from the time you turn the wheel till the motors move. It’s about a good Three seconds.

the steering does not change over the course of the day. the delay is consistent no matter what your doing
 
Awesomeboat said:
Ok. I guess a better way to phrase is the motors move disproportionately to the amount you are turning the wheel. Like you have to make a large turn on the steering wheel to make a small turn on the boat. There is a delay from the time you turn the wheel till the motors move. It’s about a good Three seconds.

the steering does not change over the course of the day. the delay is consistent no matter what your doing
Click to expand...


Awesomeboat said:
Good afternoon. Just picked up a low hour 2015 sea ray venture 37. We thought the steering felt off during the drive but didn’t seem to bother us too much. Now as we use it more we are noticing this steering is just unsafe. It’s because there’s a pretty huge delay from the time you turn until the boat moves. Everything feels smooth but just the delay is plain dangerous. Can you guys help me at least figure out where to start
Click to expand...

"Can you guys help me at least figure out where to start"

I would be glad to help. Not to be a smartass, but do you have the owners manual/packet?
 
Have you checked the fluid reservoir in the hydraulic pump #7 on the manual I posted?

This is a very simple system. Electric hydraulic pump and a set of hydraulic rams....a power steering system. If it is low on fluid....it will be intermittent. If it doesn't develop enough pressure.....it will be intermittent. If you have a leak....it will be intermittent.
 
PlayDate said:
Have you checked the fluid reservoir in the steering pump #7 on the manual I posted?

This is a very simple system. Electric hydraulic pump and a set of hydraulic rams....a power steering system. If it is low on fluid....it will be intermittent. If it doesn't develop enough pressure.....it will be intermittent. If you have a leak....it will be intermittent.
Click to expand...

$hit, I missed that! I remembered you asking about the fluid and when there was no response I thought….
 
Mitch,

I went through his Owner's Manual and it doesn't even say how to check the fluid on the pump. I'm speculating that it is in the Mercruiser Verado addendum to the manual that addresses propulsion. Additionally.....there are some reports of the system leaking hydraulic fluid.
 
PlayDate said:
Mitch,

I went through his Owner's Manual and it doesn't even say how to check the fluid on the pump. I'm speculating that it is in the Mercruiser Verado addendum to the manual that addresses propulsion. Additionally.....there are some reports of the system leaking hydraulic fluid.
Click to expand...

Yep, sounds like air in the system. The cavitated mixture compress' and then you get the delayed response.
You would think it would alarm since it probably has a steering angle sensor.
 
Verado manuals readily available for download. It will detail how to check fluid and bleed system. Rather simple system.
 
ok just read through that. I'll review the fluids and the bleed procedure. Can anyone else help point in the right direction as far as if its not a physical issue....troubleshooting the electronics etc.
 
paulswagelock said:
https://www.maritimepropulsion.com/files/pdf/1001381
Click to expand...

Excellent source. Details the bleed procedure and the wiring.

To the OP.....the behavior that you have described fits Mitch's statement that you have air in the system that needs to be bleed out. As to why that occurred....you won't know until you open the hatch and inspect the all the lines including the connections to the helm wheel. The easy answer maybe that the PO had one of the outboards serviced off the boat and they didn't bleed the system upon installation. I doubt the reservoir is empty... then you would have almost no steering at all.
 
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