help with poor tracking 91 prostar

mig · Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2

I recently purchased a 91 PROSTAR. My old outboard tracked much better through the course - this boat requires a lot of steering input at 30 - 34 mph and 15 - 28 off. The fins look straight, I can move the rudder about 1/2 inch with moderate pressure. Any ideas? Thanks!

snowboardcorey · Posted: Sep 12, 2005 12:44 pm Post subject:

A 91 should track awesome at those speeds. Unless the fins had recieved massive damage they should be more than ample to keep the boat tracking straght. Does the problem seem to lie in the rudder? Typically the rudder on a PS should give a bit of a pull on the steering wheel when running at 32+ mph. This was a bit by design, it makes holding a steady line in the course easier. Sometimes non skier customers would file down the rudder so that it did not pull and this caused the boat to handle a little sloppy in the course. Otherwise make sure that you have a solid link between the rudder and the wheel, make sure there is no play. ie the rudder moves about while the wheel remains stationary.

jonsmith2340 · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 370

snowboardcorey, hit what I was thinking at the end of the post. Check for play in the steering system, caused by worn out bushings and connections. Start with the easy ones to get at. You might need someone to help you out and have them hold the rudder or steering wheel and try to isolate where the play could be.

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

That hull has that problem. Check out the MC sites. There is a fix - I think a fin swap.

mig · Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks to all for the input!