Stiff steering on 32 Sea Ray 2005 V drive

[bluedog]

Recently moved up to a 32 Sea Ray from a 24 and enjoying the boat a great deal. She has twin 300s with V drive propulsion. My question is that the steering seems stiff compared to my 24 with a single bravo III out drive. Is this considered normal. I know its difficult to explain the degree of stiffness in words but on my 24 you could spin the wheel quite easily, with the 32 it takes a little effort. Thanks:smt101

 

[Alex F]

I had the same feeling after 240DA. It's all normal and I actually like it that way. In 240 I couldn't let the wheel go for a moment as it would spin on it's own. On 320 it comes handy at times as the boat stays on course regardless if your hands on the wheel or not. So, it's just different stearing systems and you'll just have to get used to it. Make sure that the lube level is fine (the black small cap is right on the stearing. Make sure to use proper star brite fluid.) and most likelly you don't have any issues.

 

[bluedog]

Thanks my friend, thats what I thought. sorry for the late reply

 

[Creekwood]

I had the same question moving from a power steering I/O to unassisted hydraulic steering on my 330 with twin vDrives. Same answer. The props put a lot of force on the rudders in a higher speed turn. You get used to the difference.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

That answers another one of my questions too
thanks

 

[320Bob]

I had the same first impression about the 320 steering vs my former stern drive single engine boats. I got over it very quickly since I only use the shifters and throttles for docking and don't touch the steering wheel until I get out on open water.