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boat pulling to right

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what would make my boat want to pull hard to the right when i let go of the wheel?

the adjustable skeg fin was centered so i moved it a bit and it got worse.

Did you look to see if you had a flat tire??  Maybe the front end needs alignment?   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

  • Super User

Is this when at WOT and trimmed up, or when not trimmed all the way up and at slower speeds?

The two rood causes are too much hull drag and natural torque of the prop by the direction it's turning.

You said you moved the trim tab and it got worse, which way did you move it?  I should be turned so the back of it is moved to the right (starboard side).

If you're running a jackplate and have the motor raised, it's possible that thing is not even in the water.  A lot of times you have to run a skeeg mounted torque tab.

You may be running the motor too deep and you may not be getting enough bow lift.

  • Author

this happens at idle speeds and at WOT, trimmed.  If I'm running WOT and let the wheel go it will probably throw me, that's how much torque is going on.

i moved the skeg so that it pointed starboard, not the back.

i figured i would try the opposite direction since it got worse but just havent yet.

I will try that tomorrow.

  • Super User

OK, I did a little search and see you're running an '86 Skeeter.  A couple things you'll need to consider. First off is the condition of the steering system.  Has it ever been changed and what's in it now.  If it's old you'll want to replace it with a NFB system.  2nd, and this might be bad is that your hull may have a hook in it due to a poorly fitting trailer or one with a bad bunk.  I've never heard of a trim tab being out of adjustment enough to want to cause the wheel to get yanked out of your hand and to the right.  As long as it was set straight forward and you're getting that kind of torque I've got to think you've got some other problem.

  • Super User

What kind of prop, three or four blade,  aluminum or stainless?  Is motor on jackplate, how far below the pad is the centerline of the prop?  At WOT and trimed out, where is the spray, in front of you, beside you or well behind you?  What kind of condition is the prop in?

All these things have a direct affect on streering torque.

  • Super User

Actually, the problem will still be there, he just won't feel it until he trys to steer left. True, you won't feel the steering while not trying to steer the boat, but it will still turn right very easy and hard to turn left.  This realy creates problems when trying to drive a chine walking boat.  Steering needs to be neutral.

  • Author
Is this when at WOT and trimmed up, or when not trimmed all the way up and at slower speeds?

The two rood causes are too much hull drag and natural torque of the prop by the direction it's turning.

You said you moved the trim tab and it got worse, which way did you move it? I should be turned so the back of it is moved to the right (starboard side).

If you're running a jackplate and have the motor raised, it's possible that thing is not even in the water. A lot of times you have to run a skeeg mounted torque tab.

You may be running the motor too deep and you may not be getting enough bow lift.

as usual W2Slow was on the money.  course if i had half a brain i would have adjusted it in the RIGHT direction to begin with.  once adjusted correctly i could go hands free running 34mph and at idle speeds as well.

thx y'all

to answer you're questions: aluminum 3 blade, no jack plate

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