I would have thought that surges in the power steering pressure would just
make it suddenly easier or harder to steer, it wouldn't actually change the
rate at which the boat turns for any given input on the wheel. I might be
wrong about that but that was my impression of power steering.

I haven't experienced wandering to any great degree myself, however I have
observed novice drivers not getting the feel of the lag between a steering
wheel input and the resulting change in course. I have seen a boat change
direction almost 90 degrees due to this -- it is amazing to watch,
especially if you're standing beside the helm not wanting to **** off your
wife with helpful advice.




"Diver1055" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I have been trying to figure out my friends boat that has a 290 OD. At
slow
speed, the steering seems to shoot from one side to another with no
vissible
movement from the tiller as seen on the inside of the transom. There is
some
play on the the tufe which is housed on the gimble that holds the sterring
cable, but it seems to be pressed in and I do not see a way to secure it.
Though I do not think the play in it is enough to warrant the steering
issues.
I also noticed later that the belt that drives the water pump and
alternator to
be slipping, as the power steering pump is driven directly off of the
water
pump. So I am thinking that there may sudden surges in power steering
pressure
causing these eratic steering shifts. We will be replacing that belt but
I am
wondering if the power steering pump should be driven off of the water
pump, or
should we try to find a way to get it driven from the main pulley.

Thanks

Rick