Boat won't reverse to the Right

[tommyrot]

Hi - first time post. My Robalo 19 (1998 - 150XL Optimax) will not reverse to the right. Makes docking and undocking tough. Even with the motor on full right lock the stern still wanders off to the left. Is this a prop torque problem? There are a couple of good-sized chunks missing from the skeg - could this contribute? Anybody know of a fix?

tommyrot

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Boat won't reverse to the Right

That sounds backwards, usually it's harder to back to the left. Is this a counter rotating engine?? Skeg should have nothing to do with it. I assume it's centered on the transom. Is something keeping your steerage from going all the way to the right as far as it should? Does the boat list to one side or the other at rest when loaded?

 

[tommyrot]

Re: Boat won't reverse to the Right

No - engine is standard rotation and full lock position is about the same on both sides. Steering is fine going forward.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Boat won't reverse to the Right

Maybe you're doing this already, but turn your engine all the way to the right before engaging reverse. Outboards and I/O's respond better that way when reversing. If you engage reverse and then turn the wheel, the boat won't respond nearly as well. Also, check your engine height. Anti-cavitation plate should be level with the bottom of your hull. If it's mounted too high it could cause the problem you're having.

 

[tommyrot]

Re: Boat won't reverse to the Right

Thanks Drowned Rat - I'll give it a go.

 

[stevieray]

Re: Boat won't reverse to the Right

What kind of shape is your prop in? If you have a banged up skeg, the prop may have gotten dinged also. A prop in any state of disrepair will cause all kinds of handling issues.

 

[cgBosun3]

Re: Boat won't reverse to the Right

Keep in mind wind direction also. Shallow hull single screw boats will always - ALWAYS - back into the wind, regardless of what you do with the wheel. The prop becomes a pivot point and the rest of the boat acts like a weather vane and turns the stern into the wind.

The normal tendency for a right-hand prop is to back to port; the stern moves to the left when backing. If you don't get much response turning your wheel to the right when backing, that's why. The prop torque overcomes the change in direction. Drowned Rat had good advice. Use the directed thrust from your O/B by turning the wheel first, then adding power. That gives you a "squirt" of water in the direction you need.
Hope this helps some.

 

[tommyrot]

Re: Boat won't reverse to the Right

Thanks guys, advice much appreciated. Prop is in good shape but somebody mentioned that a 4-blade has less prop-torque issues - any experience with this?