New Member & My CM23

[slideruleracer]

The rest of the hull is in such nice shape, it's hard to imagine it's developed a hook, but if she sits level when floating then you either have a prop torque issue or hook creating that heavy listing - that won't happen from bad steering. The stock prop/outdrive setup shouldn't have the prop torque you're describing. Maybe try to borrow a prop locally to test?

[nolaboater99]

The rest of the hull is in such nice shape, it's hard to imagine it's developed a hook, but if she sits level when floating then you either have a prop torque issue or hook creating that heavy listing - that won't happen from bad steering. The stock prop/outdrive setup shouldn't have the prop torque you're describing. Maybe try to borrow a prop locally to test?

I would be stunned if there was a hook. The early '80s Cobalts were/are pretty solid and the "C" Series were especially over built. Not saying it couldn't happen. It is definitely a prop torque issue. It feels just like a boat without power steering with no trim tab on the outdrive. I don't know about outdrives other than Merc because that is all I've owned and worked on but, a boat a single prop Merc I/O with functioning PS does not have the trim tab/anode on the outdrive. If set up and functioning properly the PS system compensates for the torque. Four yeas ago, when I last ran this boat for any length of time, you could let go of the wheel and the boat maintained a straight course....mostly. The only thing changed in the PS system since then is the PS actuator/assist cylinder at the stern.

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.
Shawn

[cmattj]

All things being the same then Nola as you've probably guessed it is leaning more toward steering and or air in a cylinder.

Maybe BB will add some thoughts on this and or bleeding procedures from sitting. I would think it would self bleed in time after a bazillion turns but maybe not?

My hydraulic steering would chatter after sitting a winter and I'd force it back and forth engine off and cap off then the same thing running.

It never pulled but the chatter went away after I did that.

Could one ram be holding air? Ok back to my boozer

[Big Block Power]

Mine leaked all over the place. Really just turning the wheel side to side engine off and on. Kept adding till it was good.

[nolaboater99]

Thanks guys. I'll give it a try tomorrow

[Ytmsn]

My 240 had a little "chatter" in the wheel too. After disconnecting the lines and pulling the pump when we pulled the engine it had a ton of air in the lines, and it took the same procedure Matt did to purge it. Hopefully it will be something something simple like this Nola.

You did the right thing in stepping back and clearing everything "boat" out of your head. Slide needs to do the same thing! You guys spend soooo much time thinking about it, working on it, putting all the puzzle pieces back together,... Then a little snafu comes along and you're just to close to it. Back off, clear your mind, and come back another day. Voila!

"Oh, here it is. Jeesh that was easy"

[nolaboater99]

I posted this issue on the Sea Ray Forum and a member there sent me the procedure for bleeding the system right out of the Merc Shop Manual. I will give it a try on Wednesday.

Thanks Guys....

[thunder550]

Congrats on making Cobalt's Timeless Tuesday post

https://www.facebook.com/186989835347/p ... 165590348/

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[nolaboater99]

Congrats on making Cobalt's Timeless Tuesday post

https://www.facebook.com/186989835347/p ... 165590348/

Screenshot_20180619-173402.png

Yeah, pretty cool. I met Clark Boone, Cobalt's Central Region Sales Manager at the New Orleans Boat Show and he asked that I send pictures and keep him up to date on the progress. I sent him these last night and he responded and asked if he could post them on the Cobalt Facebool page as well as share them with the St. Clair family. Of course I gave the OK.... That is not me in the picture but rather my brother-in-law who gave me a hand getting her in the water.

[Table Rockin]

Congrats on making Cobalt's Timeless Tuesday post

https://www.facebook.com/186989835347/p ... 165590348/

Screenshot_20180619-173402.png

Yea i saw this too! Pretty neat

[Big Block Power]

That is way too cool. Congrats. You deserve that.

[nolaboater99]

Thank you Guys.... Kinda makes all the work worth it.

[Driller]

That’s really cool. You should feel very proud.

[nolaboater99]

Well, that didn't work. I performed the procedure for bleeding the system and there was no change. afterwards I reached under the steering assist actuator and it is wet with fluid. I'm thinking I've got a leaky assist actuator preventing the pump from maintaining pressure. It would explain things.

I need to investigate a bit more.

[hoghead54]

Excellent job,Shawn.It's been great watching it come together. Gremlins....seems like there is always Gremlins in a project like this.