1976 ski Tique steering

What would cause the boat to move to the right ever so slightly on its own when cruising at say 30. - 35 - it's a little unnerving very little play in the steering fin

My 1980 Tique pulls a little to the right when cruising along at 30-35. I've just chalked it up to the rotation of the water across the rudder at speed. My steering gear is a little loose too, but it isn't that big of a deal.

Chris76 wrote: Thanks for the info - mine turns on its own with the wheel strait at those speeds running out of time to work on it- I live in the north east- I'll dig in to the steering in the spring- just bought it- it's a blast to drive - very fast for a small boat

So explain the "turns on it's own with the wheel straight"???
It turns to the right while holding the wheel straight or it tracks to the right while holding the wheel straight?
It turns to the right if you let go of the wheel?
It turns to the right if you hit a certain speed range?

These boats will have a tendancy to pull to one side or the other while under power. They're designed like this to provide straighter tracking with minimal steering wheel movements with a really hard pulling skier (especially through the coarse). If you have a neutral tracking the boat will drift from side to side while pulling a skier and you'll have to counter the tracking with constant steering wheel movements. This is not a very pleasurable experience. Especially pulling people through the course.
This pulling to one side will also force you to keep your hands on the wheel. If you let go it will turn on it's own (sometimes quite sharply). This tracking characteristic can be adjusted by filing down the trailing edge of the rudder (unless you have a newer tunable rudder) but probably better left alone unless you're feeling adventurous.

It's also not uncommon to have a boat pull one way or the other or even steer neutral at slow speeds and then change completely at higher speeds. Again, the nature of the beast and can be adjusted somewhat by tuning the rudder or may even need some reshaping of the hull to correct. The latter is definitely best left to someone willing to destroy the hull and/or gelcoat so lets not even go there for the sake of argument. Sometimes even a prop change can completely change the steering and handling characteristics. The new CNC props that are available now weren't even thought of in "76.

Now if it's tracking a little to the right while the wheel is aimed straight, that's easily adjusted with the steering cable clamp at the rudder.

So there is a quick rundown of the steering/tracking of these boats if you're not familiar with them. Just wait until you have to try docking when they only want to backup one way. We'll save that for another discussion.

Thanks guys for the info - it's definitely not welcome changes- it's to the right - there is play in the wheel left to right a little bit without moving the ruder

Chris,
Where are those pictures we asked for?
Besides the steering, how's the overall condition of the Tique? You haven't mentioned if the boat is new to you so we don't know if other items have been checked or not. Things like engine condition, stringer condition and trans/shaft/log/strut alignment are always on the list. Fill us in. Also, a diary entry would be great.

Yes its winterized - had them install a fuel shut off switch as well - the ruder turns more to the right then the left when looking at it from the rear of the boat - very little play in it - haven't had a chance to remove the rear seat yet - will I be able to see the cable without removing the gas tank - can't seem to download pictures here - I did do a diary with a couple pictures thanks for responding

There is no way to post pictures directly to the site using a mobile device. External picture hosting sites are your only option (photobucket, etc).

Unequal steering travel is a function of steering clamp tube and clamp block position. It is adjustable (the tube within the clamp) to an extent. I have seen some 16' boats that were set up from the factory with an inability to adjust the steering equally... Poor clamp block install location. Relocating the clamp block would solve this, but would require open access to the exhaust pocket... So some disassembly required.

Based on the description of the problem, he is describing disturbing uninduced steering inputs, not a constant/steady steering load. The former is BAD, the latter is tunable (and may or may not be desirable). Personally, I prefer neutral steering except in a dedicated course boat. The little bit of play on center in a properly functioning neutral steering set up should NOT cause any disconcerting behavior.