Expert: Everett Peacock - 2/25/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1992 22 ft seaay 5.7 inboard. Yesterday the steering was fine,to day it is stiff,like power steering with out the belt.It only has 300 hours on this boat. what do you think ??

ANSWER: check your belt and oil level..look for oil in bilge..

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: my boat is a sea ray, skiray ski boat.and it does not have power steering,just a manual rack steering..   the steering was fine one day and the next day it is very hard to turn,I check the rudder to see if it had weeds or something rapped around it ,but its clear..thanks

Answer
just because it is a ski boat does not mean it does not have power steering..Look at the engine, there should be a pump that connects to the engine and steering cable...the steering cable is a manual cable....the sctuator releases pressure to turn the rudder one way or another...should have a pump and a belt..and a steering fluid cooler...