First day issues..am I on the right track?

Took my 97 sport with the GT-40 to the lake for the first time this year, which is a 50 mile trip.   2 issues.
1. Steering very stiff. I am guessing I need a new cable. (Wow those are pricy).   Any other ideas on what it could be before I buy one?
2. Engine got hot. I got it shut down right away because my main reason for going out was to check everything so I was watching the guages pretty close.   I just replaced the impeller last year and water seemed to be going through the engine still. Got her home and checked the water pump and impeller. No visual issues.   Pulled the thermostat out and it seemed pretty rusty. I put in in a pot of hot water to see if it would open.   It did open but when I dropped it in, I heard it pop so I am guessing it was stuck.    Put the water pump hose intake into a bucket of water and ran the hose in it. Started her up with out the thermostat and let her run for 20 minutes. Temp never got above 120. Water flowing through the system well. Ordered a new thermostat.
Just looking for verification and words of wisdom that I am on the right track here.   Thanks guys.

sounds like your thermostat is fine. rusty looking thermostat is OK, Don't run it without a thermostat. 120 means nothing.

air leaks, or pieces of old impeller impede flow is what I would look for.

Hollywood wrote: Probably a bad steering cable but to be sure disconnect the cable end from the tiller arm that is bolted to the rudder. If the steering is still stuff without the load of the rudder it is indeed bad. They don't last forever.

+1 Rudder packing can be bad causing hard steering. A couple dollar fix over a couple hundred dollar fix and you have to tear it all apart anyway.

*mtrbtr* wrote: How does one go about checking for air leaks?

There really isn't a good way to check for actual leaks. Double check all the suction side hoses for tightness. Use a ratchet and socket on the hose clamps and not a screwdriver. Check the gasket on the sea strainer. Any air getting into the suction side of the RWP will reduce it's capacity.

Zach,
Do you know what it takes to make the modifications to the helm?

By the way, attached is a picture of the cover you sold me after I made tower modifications. Very happy with it. Trailered very nice on a 100 mile round trip at highway speeds.

Also threw in a pic of the water Saturday. Wish the boat would have worked.....

Yeah maybe but for 15 bucks I will put a new one in.   I will tighten all the hose clamps and connections and see what happens. Maybe I had an air leak somewhere.
I will let you know how it does.   

Montana!

Took the boat out today and it ran perfectly right at proper temp. Not sure if that was to the new thermostat or because I tightened all the hoses.   Earlier this week I unhooked ther steering cable from the rudder. The steering cable was definitely the problem.   The rudder could still stand to be taken apart and greased.