14' Fiberglass boat skids/veers left at full throtle

[PlayDoh]

I just got this 14' fiberglass boat with a 50hp Merc. The Merc is a 1963 and the boat looks like the same era. It will tilt to the right and want to go left, varying with throttle.

Its a bit scary, and I cant go full throttle unless the waters glass. The Merc has plaining fins, but it still skids left, or right with the waves at full throttle. Its enough to stop your heart.

I'm thinking the 50hp Merc is probably too much for the boat, and the bow just gets lifted too high. The stern is pretty flat as well.

would adding some weight (Sand bags) to the Bow (closed bow) be a good or bad Idea? I cant really imagine how anything else would help. Oh, and the Anode is straight. I would guess that it goes 35 MPH at full throttle, +/- 5.

 

[Rudy Brown]

Re: 14' Fiberglass boat skids/veers left at full throtle

You'll have to play with the trim tab(anode) to get it to track straight. Start by turning it a little and retest.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 14' Fiberglass boat skids/veers left at full throtle

If by planing fins you mean hydro foil on the anti ventilation plate.You need to remove it until you determine what is causing the problem.The anti vent plate needs to be about even with the bottom of the boat for a starting point.
I'm pretty sure the 50 is too much motor for the boat but properly set up it should run normally but possibly touchy at wot.
Take a 4 or 5 ft. straight edge and check the bnottom for a hook(concave section) or a rocker(convex section) in the area ahead of the transom.
I'm guessing you will find a hook.Let us know what you find.

 

[diaric]

Re: 14' Fiberglass boat skids/veers left at full throtle

i'd swear i just bought your boat but it pulls right . 1961 14' runabout with 66 50hp merc and hydrofoil. scares the hell outta me and haven't brought it upto full throttle. Seems to oversteer quite a lot. when out by myself had to sit in left side of boat to even it out a bit.

 

[jaymasta]

Re: 14' Fiberglass boat skids/veers left at full throtle

i'd swear i just bought your boat but it pulls right . 1961 14' runabout with 66 50hp merc and hydrofoil. scares the hell outta me and haven't brought it upto full throttle. Seems to oversteer quite a lot. when out by myself had to sit in left side of boat to even it out a bit.

my boat did this also its a 14ft f/g with a 65hp merc, the anode was cracked at the top and looked very very old and worn out and it was an aftermarket brand, I replaced it with a new merc one for 12 dollars and turned it a TAD to the right and played with it on the lake trying various settings as well as playing with the trim level of the motor, and I fixed everything and made my boat go 1mph fast at WOT, I would highly suggest replacing the anode if it has any cracks at all and any deteroration, and try turning it a bit and also playing around with the trim level at various speeds and various weights..

 

[diaric]

Re: 14' Fiberglass boat skids/veers left at full throtle

thanks for the help,, mine had a big chip in it and was very pitted,,, i just ordered a new one. I'll play with it in a few weeks when i get days off again

 

[diaric]

Re: 14' Fiberglass boat skids/veers left at full throtle

I took a straight edge to mine and have a slight hook on the left side and a larger one on the right side (the side it pulls to). Both are from where the boat sits on rollers at the back of the trailer. Now what?