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Steering system operation
The steering system for your Volvo Penta sterndrive is oper-
ated by a steering cable connected to the helm. Restricting
movement of the steering cable will limit or stop the steering
system's hydraulic assist.
Do not interfere with or restrict steering cable movement
through the last 90° of bend at the engine. Do not use cable
retainers, clamps or tie straps. Using one or all of these
could restrict the cable movement near the engine. Do not
tie wiring harnesses or other control cables to the steering
cable. Make sure deck combing and bulkheads allow for
steering cable movement.
Caution!
If the power steering system stops working, it will feel
harder to steer. If this condition occurs, look for
possible causes and fix them if possible. If the power
steering system cannot be corrected on board, proceed
at a reduced speed. You will be able to steer the boat,
but with increased effort. See your authorized Volvo
Penta dealer as soon as possible to correct your power
steering system.
At slow speeds (no wake), your boat may tend to wander.
This is normal and may be overcome by anticipating bow
direction and correcting with steering wheel. A slightly higher
throttle and trim setting may also lessen the tendency to
"wander." Changing weight distribution, aft to forward, can
also affect slow speed steering.
Twin unit steering
Twin engine boats may have only one engine with a fully
operational power steering system. That power steering sys-
tem is on the starboard engine; therefore, when operating on
a single engine use the starboard engine.
NOTE! Using a port engine that does not have a
functional power steering system will cause an in-
creased effort in steering control, due to absence of
power assist.
Some twin engine boats may have both engine power steer-
ing systems coupled together with a priority valve. This al-
lows the use of either engine to provide power assist steer-
ing.
Power trim and tilt operation
Power trim operation
The power trim is normally used before you accelerate onto
plane, after you reach the desired RPM or boat speed, and
when there is a change in water or boating conditions. Lo-
cate passengers and equipment in the boat so that the weight
is balanced fore and aft, and side to side. Trimming will not
cancel an unbalanced load.
To operate the trim, push and hold the switch "bow-up" or
"bow-down" until the desired bow position is reached. The
trim may be operated at any boat speed or at rest. Avoid
operating the trim system when running in reverse. Observe
the trim/tilt gauge, which indicates the bow position achieved.
The upper scale (0 to 5) of the trim gauge indicates the
"bow-up" positions, and lower scale (6 to 10) of the trim gauge
indicates the "bow-down" positions.
Determining the proper trim
The effect of the maximum "bow-up" and "bow-down" posi-
tions will be similar for most boats. The bow position best for
your operating conditions could be at any trim setting be-
tween the maximum "bow-up" and "bow-down" positions.
The boat will be properly trimmed when the trim angle pro-
vides the best boat performance for your operating condi-
tions. On models without power steering, the trim position
that provides a balanced steering load is desirable.
To familiarize yourself with the power trim, make test runs at
slower speeds and at various trim positions to see the effect
of trimming. Note the time it takes for the boat to plane.
Watch the tachometer and speedometer readings and the
ride action of the boat. Read the following paragraphs under
Operating in "Bow-Up" Position and Operating in "Bow Down"
Position.
Operating in "bow-up" position
The "bow-up" position is nor-
mally used for cruising, running
with a choppy wave condition,
or running at full speed. In a
full "bow-up" position the boat
may tend to self-steer. You
may have to compensate with
the steering wheel to keep the boat in a straight-ahead path.
In this position the boat's bow will tend to raise clear of the
water. Excessive "bow-up" trim will cause propeller ventila-
tion resulting in propeller slippage. Engine RPM will also
increase, but boat speed will not increase and may even
drop.
WARNING!
Use caution when operating in rough water or crossing
another boat's wake. Excessive "bow-up" trim may
result in the boat's bow rising rapidly and possibly
throwing the boat's occupants into the water.
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