Went out on a friends Baja today...25 ft. with a 540ci/Bravo 1 setup. Single ram Mayfair external steering system. When we were on plane the boat wanders all over the place and feels very unsafe. Strange as it sounds when the water gets rough it seems to handle ok, but when the water lays down (flat) the boat hunts all over. On the trailer you can move the steering pretty efortlessly from side to side a good bit. Any ideas?

Needs a leather wrapped wheel!

I assume that you mean that you can move the outdrive side to side a bit on the trailer? The outdrive shouldn't move at all with hydraulic steering even if it's an add on system. Check the gimble ring making sure it is tight on the pivots. Tighten or repair anything you find. Also check the power steering for air. The ram should not move at all by hand. It could be as simple as what prop is on the boat even if the steering is tight.

Good luck,

Rene

Another thing to check, if you have an add-on steering, is the play in the tiller arm and steering cable. If you have play in those parts it does not help to have en external ram.

Hey bob. Miserable day yesterday Thanks for the input guys......older boat so I 'll have to check all the above. Sort of feels like air.

A simple way to check the play in the mechanical part (tiller arm, cable, wheel) of the steering is to move the wheel right and left as much as possible without moving the drive. If that play is more than an inch or two you have a problem. The solution is to go full hydraulic. It is a dream compared to add on systems.

I tried the add on with my 272 baja. It intensifies any slack in your machanical system. Bite the bullet and go full hyd. You can get all the parts you need from any hydraulic hose/parts supplier. The same helm they sell for marine is the same one they sell for tractors. I did a complete dual ram system for around $1400.

Kenny where did you get the parts for yours?

The helm unit or pump is a common piece I bought at MOtion Industries. They are a hydraulic supply co.. The # on my ticket is 211-1003 steering control. I had a guy make the cylinders and I made my own outdrve cap. The other stuff is straight off the shelf hose and fittings. I did lose my tilt steering when I changed over. I think the helm unit is over double if you buy it from a "marine" source.

Sounds like it's chime walking. Baja's are famous for it. My old 25 did it all the time when trimmed out in flat water.