boat makes hard right

[billyt]

Just put my boat in the water for the first time. It doesn't run straight--if I take my hand off the wheel it tries to veer hard to the right. Does that mean I need to adjust the sacrificial anode just above the prop? It's an older engine and also first time in the water. Appreciate the help.

 

[bayman]

Re: boat makes hard right

Let's get some more details like the type of boat. <br /><br />- look for things like a bent skeg and that sort of thing<br /><br />- sometime trim tabs on larger boats or Nauticus smart tabs on smaller boats are helpful with limiting improper veering<br /><br />- sometimtes marine growth or something attached to the hull cause it to turn abnormally<br /><br />- is more weight on the right side of the boat than should be?<br /><br />- in rare cases there is actual hull damage causing the boat to turn right.

 

[roscoe]

Re: boat makes hard right

After concidering the info offered by bayman, then look to adjust the anode. Loosen it a little, push the rear of it to the right, and tighten. Then test drive.

 

[billyt]

Re: boat makes hard right

The boat is a 1991 Prowler Bass Boat. I just got it out of the shop where they serviced the lower unit and all new water pump, impeller, etc. I did have them install a Doel hydrofoil. They didn't mention anything about the skeg and as far as my eyes can see it's OK. The boat is in fresh water, so there's on growth, etc on it and no hull damage. The motor is a 1975 115 Johnson v4. After reading the replies and not finding any of the stuff from the first one, I'll try the second reply tomorrow a.m. THANKS!!

 

[sort]

Re: boat makes hard right

Could be caused by the steering arm loosing up enough to allow the engine torque to overcome any built in resistance. I had this happen on a 18.5 ft 2000 Sprint bassboat that had a 175 Johnson. The anode trim was all the way over and it still wouldn't counteract the engine torque. Finally, the dealer tech corrected it by "binding" the steering. and this stopped the problem and the boat was fine. He said it is common on bassboats with large outboards without hydraulic Steering.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: boat makes hard right

Finally, the dealer tech corrected it by "binding" the steering. and this stopped the problem and the boat was fine.

My 16' boat is pulling hard to starboard as well, 40HP Merc outb remote. How exactly does one go about 'binding' the steering?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: boat makes hard right

Never never never do anything to the steering that puts a bind on it. Never.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: boat makes hard right

Hi Billyt,<br />A single engine with single prop will always tend to 'drive in a circle' due to the torque generated by the prop. That is why most legs or outdrives have an adjustment to try and mask the effect. <br /><br />Volvo and others have contra-rotating props on one shaft, to minimise the problem. Twin outboards have props rotating in opposite directions, for the same reason. Hydraulic or Teleflex type steering helps, by allowing leg movement only when effort is applied to the wheel. One reason for a kill switch is so that, if you're thrown overboard, the boat doesn't run in a circle and turn you into mincemeat.<br /><br />If your boat turns a big lazy circle, this is normal. If it veers hard, suspect something else, but as Dhadley says, never artificially 'bind' the steering. Hope this folklore helps.

 

[sort]

Re: boat makes hard right

Binding the steering just means to add enough tension in the steering rod area to increase the force required to move the engine. This was performed by a very reputable boat dealer mechanic so maybe the term "binding" is incorrect....should have said that the steering can be adjusted to increase the force required to move the engine either direction. My boat turned fine after this adjustment but still required careful trim settings to keep the steering from still wanting to turn right. In my case this was due to a large (175) HO outboard on a relatively small 18ft bassboat (but within max HP rating) Before this "adjustment" the steering wheel would about pull my hand off trying to go right. Will never own another large outboard without hydraulic steering

 

[billyt]

Re: boat makes hard right

Tweaking the anode above the prop a little to the right helped a lot. It still wants to go a little to the right, but that must be the torque as mentioned above. My engine is a 115 Johnson on a 16'8" boat which is the max hp limit for this boat. Understand what you mean about hydraulic steering!!

 

[74Baja]

Re: boat makes hard right

i also have an old 70's johnson 115. if you trim way down or up i get some pull and it is my understanding that this is normal do you have a power trim

 

[rodbolt]

Re: boat makes hard right

tweak it a bit more right. I will bet when the lower was reinstalled the tap was not reoriented to its original position. happens all the time

 

[billyt]

Re: boat makes hard right

Actually, trimming up seems to lessen the pull--I can take my hands off the wheel and she goes pretty straight. If the motor is trimmed all the way down, then I still get some pull to the right. I put the anode about as far over as I'm comfortable with. Like I said, tho, when trimmed up just a bit (about the second hole if using manual bar), she stays pretty straight. I am finding all kinds of things that the shop didn't do very well and I'm having to do almost all of the work over again. blt

 

[rodbolt]

Re: boat makes hard right

that is why the tab is adjustable. if it works best on YOUR paticular application hard right then that is where it should be. however trim angle will have an effect on tab adjustment. its not always a one size fits all.<br />good luck and keep posting