I have like an 05 manitou pontoon with a 60 Johnson and the steering very hard almost like IO without power steering. First time out this year but I do recall it seems like I sucked a dock line into prop while backing away from dock near end of last season. I checked steering cable and that seems to be completely fine and everything appears normal. But again this seems like it all started when line got wound up in prop and stalled engine.

Any ideas?

Tks
John

So did you U unhooked the steering cable and pull it out completely from the steering tube at the motor side - you should be able to turn the steering wheel with one finger like butter - is this taking place if not then you need a steering cable and or helm kit ? There is 2 types of steering for this app - 1 is rotary steering and the other is rack steering.

Simple way to check the helm is take out whatever steering cable you have off from the underside mount from the helm and turn the steering wheel - that should turn so very free with one finger, if not then you need a new helm kit. You also can test the steering cable while it is completely free from both ends again movement should be very free. If not you need a steering cable.

Also go back and turn the outboard motor by hand with cable completely away - can you swing the outboard from one side to the other with very little effort ???

Makes sense. Will dig into and start the process of elimination. It's very annoying especially when it's suppose to be a non braking relaxing day on the water. You literally get a work out just cruising around.

Just wondering if anything could have gotten bent aside from the cable back near the outboard. Cable looks great and followed it all through under helm.

looks and operation of the cable internally and the helm internal set up are way 2 different things - looks mean nothing here. Internally what you can not see but can feel when all is removed for testing is a different story.

I hear ya and completely understand what your saying. Gonna remove cable at both ends. All this just seems strange happening after sucked the dock line in. I don't recall what the other end of the line was attached or tied to but I think it was just on the rear cleat. In which case it pulled the outboard up very tight to the starboard side if I remeber right when it stalled out. Maybe just all coincidental...

your boat sit thru out the winter and you probably never went out once a week and turn the steering wheel full lock to lock - cable gets stuck and or rusts up during storage just by sitting completely for months on end. Not uncommon at all. I/O steering cables do the same that sit up for long periods at a time to, they just take longer because they are enclosed compared to outboard apps..

Boats stored outside and or just under car ports this not uncommon.

How bad is prop banged up ???? Any damage on the front side of the lower unit (front Bullet ) - very blunt damage any ???? Other areas to look at.

Also very free movement of the outboard engine when everything is unhooked ????.

Toon is always stored in shop for majority of season. Low hours and covered when in water for a month or two in summer. Prop drive are flawless. Will keep you posted after I remove cable to see where the problem is at.

Sounds more like something got bent. Like stated earlier, disconnect and see how the engine turns by hand.