Hydraulic Steering, stiff to port

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2001 Maxum bowrider with a 125 hp Mercury 2-stroke
outboard.  The hydraulic steering system looks to be the
baystar model with the one ram connected to the outboard.  
The boat was sitting for 5 years and I have since replaced
a few items to get it back on the water.  The steering is
very easy to starboard, but very stiff to port.  I am not
sure what the problem might be.  Thank you for any help you
can provide.

ANSWER: Dear Larry,

It is hard to say what your problem is but I would check the rod on the ram.  If the rod that goes in and out of the cylinder is bent it will steer easy as it goes out of the cylinder steering right.  But as the rod tries to go into the cylinder steering to the left it binds.  The rod may be bent or it may be rusty.  The rust can be fixed with some WD 40 and an sos pad.  You would have to bend the rod straight if it is slightly bent.  Usually right were it comes out of the cylinder.

Hope this helps.

Harvey Chichester
Coast Guard Auxiliary
www.boat-bottom-paint.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Harvey-

I forgot to mention that the steering is out of alignment
to port.  Could this be related, and while I am asking
favors, what is the best way of correcting this problem?  
Thanks again.

-Larry

Answer
If your rod is bent it will appear short to port as it will not go into the cylinder fully.  If it gets straight the problem may be fixed.  You may need to re-center the cylinder mounting so the rod goes equal distance both in and out to center again.

Best of luck.

Harvey Chichester
www.boat-bottom-paint.com