Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > General Discussion > General Boating Discussion
How can you drive a triple engine boat after total steering failure? >

How can you drive a triple engine boat after total steering failure?

Notices

How can you drive a triple engine boat after total steering failure?

Old 05-13-2015, 09:25 AM
  #1  
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thread Starter
 
rak rua's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Thailand
Posts: 3,512
Received 1,119 Likes on 469 Posts
Default How can you drive a triple engine boat after total steering failure?

Hi all, had an interesting day out today..........

Went island hopping and stopped at a quiet island about 20 miles from the mainland. Time to go home, started off and immediately my steering felt rough and was 'catching' as I turned the wheel. Steering became less responsive and eventually lost almost all feel at the wheel and finally wouldn't turn the engines at all. I'm still way out to sea and we're in typical snotty 4-5' chop predominantly on the starboard bow. I'm running Verados and I'll worry about what went wrong later, right now, I just want to get boat and crew home safely. I'm not a mechanic and pulling off an engine cowl while hanging out the back in the slop wasn't going to solve the problem, so I just set about getting home.

Principles for outboard v sterndrive should be basically the same? Starboard engine rotates anti-clockwise, port and centre rotate clockwise. Engine are pretty straight so I head off and the engines do a slight turn to the right as I get on the plane. I figure the best thing is to run the two outer engines only so the counter rotating props to the outer will balance the torque twist. Didn't quite work, they still want to pull to the right a bit but with the centre engine tilted fully up and the port trim tab fully down, I have created enough drag to balance the steering in a straight line and adjust the starboard tab slightly to steer. 3,800 rpm @ 30 mph, going well but then I get greedy.

I start the centre engine and try on all 3. Big circle to the right and the engines are now turned slightly into a right hand turn. Tried like crazy to to 'push' the engines straight but all to no avail. Couldn't move them. A little p***** off, we headed back on the starboard engine with occasional touches of reverse on the port engine to maintain our course.

Back home safely, long trip and a blow to my ego.

Can anyone tell me if there would have been a better way to tackle the problem of driving with no steering?

R.E. The problem, I did see oil on the water near the port engine so I suspect we've lossed a hose or a pump somewhere. I looked under the cowl when we got back but couldn't see anything terrible in the dark so i'll wait for the experts to diagnose. (If someone tells me there's a magical over ride switch somewhere or a button or something I might just kill m self!!)

Thanks in advance for any opinions,

RR

P.S. Thanks for reading this way too long post!!

Last edited by rak rua; 05-13-2015 at 09:28 AM.
rak rua is offline  
Old 05-13-2015, 09:37 AM
  #2  
Forum Regulator
VIP Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Sydwayz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 23,820
Received 1,185 Likes on 515 Posts
Default

I assume you do not have hydraulic steering across all three motors, correct?
All three have individual steering, correct?
Sydwayz is offline  
Old 05-13-2015, 09:42 AM
  #3  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: dfw texas
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Bring some ratcheting tie straps and some tools with you next time you venture offshore.
If you have any independant control of throttles ,that may of helped fine tune tracking.
airjunky is offline  
Old 05-13-2015, 09:51 AM
  #4  
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thread Starter
 
rak rua's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Thailand
Posts: 3,512
Received 1,119 Likes on 469 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Sydwayz
I assume you do not have hydraulic steering across all three motors, correct?
All three have individual steering, correct?
I think Verados have an in built electric power steering pump but I'm not sure if all three have the pump and/or which one operates the system. It is a hydraulic system so I've probably lost all the oil from the system now also. Tie bar is fitted across the front of the three engines, standard Fountain setup. I'm expecting it to be something fairly simple but I'm sure it will still be expensive!!

Also running the electronis controls so I only have two shifters not three so the centre engine (when running) will automatically sync with the other two.

RR
rak rua is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.