New boat - stiff steering

[GEEZER]

You didn't say if it's a tiller steer or wheel & cable. If it's a tiller steer, there should be grease a zerk(s) on the motor leg / transom mount bracket and somewhere on the stationary part there could be a tension adjustment that will have a spring either under a nut or bolt head. Try loosening that and greasing it. If it has a steering wheel up front, I'd check on the wheel mount for a tension adjusting knob. I hate to admit it but I had the same problem with stiff steering until one day when I noticed this knurled knob below the wheel. I loosened it & --problem solved. If none of this helps & it's a wheel & cable setup, it about has to be in the cable. I have seen a cable setup that had a sort of collet like device on the end the shaft that hooks to the motor comes out of. It will be a nut on the stationary end of the cable housing right around the rod that goes to the motor. It that is too tight, it'll make the steering too tight too. Good luck.
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