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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

outboard motor mounting angle

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djones
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/28/2002 : 08:31:21

Hello everyone. We just bought a '83 Catalina 25 FK/TR, and are keeping it in Southport, NC. (My wife and I are both new to sailing.) I've noticed the outboard motor, a 9.9 Johnson has a slight angle in its thrust. It appears that it's mounted parallel to the rear transom with the steering fixed perpendicular to the mount. The transom is slightly curved, and shifts the motor angle a bit. This results in a pull to starboard when motoring ahead. The pull on the tiller to remain on a straight course is heavy at the higher speeds. Is this normal, or should I investigate a way to offset the motor thrust angle?

Thanks,
Don Jones

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 09:28:18

Hi Don... I don't quite understand what you mean by the steering being "fixed"--you should be able to loosen a steering damper that will allow you to turn the motor on the bracket. On our Honda, it's a lever on front--I don't know what the control is on a Johnson, but it could be a knob or lever. You should then be able to play with the angle while motoring, until you have a neutral feel on the tiller, and then snug the damper a little. Since the motor is off-center on the transom, you'll want a little of the angle you describe. It's also nice to be able to turn the motor when maneuvering around a dock, so I only tighten the damper barely enough to keep the engine from shifting while under way.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

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djones
1st Mate

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56 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 09:44:34

Thanks Dave. I'll take another look at it. There didn't appear to be anything attached where the normal steering shaft/cable would go, and I wasn't sure what was holding it in place. Whatever has it locked, it has it pretty solid. It seems obvious that it should be able to pivot though. Thanks for the help.
-Don

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 09:53:42

Don,
If I have interpreted your message correctly, it's normal for a boat to steer to the side that your motor is mounted on. We simply move the motor tiller (without touching the boat tiller) until the boat tracks straight - then we use the boat tiller for minor course corrections.
I believe the vertical tilt of the motor only impacts its efficiency in pushing the boat.
Congrats on the new boat!

Steve Madsen
#2428
OJ (Ode to Joy)

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djones
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 10:05:15

OJ, Thanks, I'm OK with the vertical tilt, etc. We have played with various power boats for years. This motor doesn't have a hand-tiller attached. It's mounted to the boat with remote controls to the cockpit for throttle/gear control. I'm used to seeing a motor like this being steered with a push-pull cable that passes horizontally through the motor mount, then reverses with a linkage to the steering plate on the motor itself. (Or with a tiller.) There is nothing there on this one though, so I'm not sure what has the side-to-side swivel frozen. I'll have to study this closer then next time at the boat.
-don

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djones
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 10:29:09

I may have found the answer. I looked all through the motor manual, and on the parts breakdown. Nothing describes it in text, but on the picture there appears to be a "steering friction screw" on the port side of the motor. I can't tell if it's a hand-turnable knob from the picture, but thats likely what's holding it in position.
-Don

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 10:40:16

Don,

I have an 1989 9.9 Evinrude longshaft which should be similr to your Johsnson. It has a screw and spring mechanism on the side of the lower unit which tensions the steering by tightening or loosening the screw. I'm not sure if it's on the right or left side though. It would realy take a lot of pressure to freeze this mechanism but perhaps it been modified to fit your existing application or has rusted over the years.

Hope this helps

Al Eckhart
Gallivant #5801

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 11:43:06

Don - I have an 8hp electric start Nissan which also lacks a hand tiller. I took a length of 3/4" aluminum pipe and bolted it to the turning bracket and then put bicycle handlebar grips on each end - works like a charm!
Derek on "This Side Up"

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 13:10:52

Hi Al,
Don's right on with his mention of a spring loaded screw to the right of the motor's shaft looking aft. It's a 7/16" screw head and adjusts your motors turnability to your liking.
My '93 Johnson 9.9 is so equipped

Val on "CALISTA " #3936

Val Bisagni

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 19:13:33

Don: I think Val has his Als and his Dons backward... <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Anyway, a thought regarding your missing tiller handle: Arlyn Stewart, a C-250 owner on this forum, invented a "soft link" between the rudder and the outboard that, to oversimplify, uses a cable between the aft edge of the rudder and the aft end of the motor housing, and a bungee from the opposite side of the motor to some point on the rail--such as a stanchion, cleat, or whatever. The principle is that the rudder will pull the motor one way (stretching the bungee) and the bungee will pull it the other way. That could give you motor steering for better maneuverability without requiring another tiller to manipulate. The best description I'm aware of is at http://www.trailersailor.com/forums/articles/index.cgi?read=134,Arlyn,Stewart.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/28/2002 19:24:11

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