Hard steering while under way

[Chrisman]

i bought a used boat 2004 sx230
It has the two bolt on rudders aftermarket i guess
I was wondering if I’d be better off removing them
Boat wheel turns easy when going slow but under way it’s almost like it’s locked straight
Is this common?
Should i remove those bolt ons?

 

[Neutron]

Jet nozzles by themselves get harder to turn when high rpms are forcing the water though them. Jets skis suffer from same issues. Remember the water wants to go straight at a high force.

The fins can make it harder to turn as well. But dont expect it to be super easy without the fins.

 

[DavisAR195]

i bought a used boat 2004 sx230
It has the two bolt on rudders aftermarket i guess
I was wondering if I’d be better off removing them
Boat wheel turns easy when going slow but under way it’s almost like it’s locked straight
Is this common?
Should i remove those bolt ons?

It's a balance, without the bolt on fins you lose the ability to make sharp turns and low speed steering but the added fins do create more drag when turning at high speeds.

 

[Jameson Clark]

Can you post a picture of the fins? If they are from @Cobra Jet Steering LLC you may not have the add on fangs which make turning much easier.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Yes post some pictures, also check if the nozzles are lined up evenly.
Ironically I just returned from doing an install on a customers boat I believe it is a 2006 with original cables , I always check the steering cables for drag and found this boat to have a very bad cable on the drivers side and one starting to go bad on the passenger side, I immediately informed the boat owner so he is aware that his cables need replacing, he said he noticed it hard to turn the wheel when driving on plane so you may want to look at your cables also, if you can not turn the nozzles with your hands at the back of the boat and if you feel or even hear drag on either cable I say hear because one cable I just looked at was actually making strange dragging noises when I moved it. So if they are in need of replacing you may have found your problem.