boat pulling to starboard

[ermack]

I have a 1995 proline 201WA. It has a 150hp johnson. I bought it used so I do not know what is causing it to pull to the starboard. I moved the little fin on the motor all the way over to the right and it helped big time but still not enough. It still pulls to the right. I was wondering if that is a prop issue??? or what is causing it. thanks

 

[jb93]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

Did it do this before or did it just start? Does the boat list/lean to starboard at rest? Take a picture of the motor in the down position so we can see the height of the cavitation plate in relation to the bottom of the hull. It should be about even with the bottom of the hull for a good starting point.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

Is the steering wheel centred when the motor is and a you on rope pulley steering?

 

[F_R]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

That is called torque steer. Not at all unusual. It is a reaction from the engine turning the prop. Worse on some boats than others. High horsepower and high mountings make it worse. Word from here: Live with it.

Non-feedback steering is available if you get tired of holding the wheel against the torque.

 

[boobie]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

Expensive but worth it.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

You can add a torque tab to the skeg, one brand is T-H Marine. They're only about $15 or so. Search online and you should find them. I've done it before and it works wonders.

 

[boobie]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

Thanks Metric, I forgot all about them. And yes, they do work.

 

[ermack]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

it has done it from day one, I bought this boat used. It sits in the water without any lean. I will look at how the motor is mounted, but I am sure it should be right. It is the motor that came with the boat when it was new.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

......so we can see the height of the cavitation plate in relation to the bottom of the hull. It should be about even with the bottom of the hull for a good starting point.

That simply doesn't apply to many many boats, especially with bigger engines and boats with a setback transom or a jackplate. What REALLY matters is AV plate (and prop, and water pickup) height in relation to the water surface when running on plane. Ideally you want the AV plate skimming the surface, or maybe just a tad higher than that, when on plane. That "rule", if applied to my boat, would indicate that my engine is about 9 inches too high (and trust me, it runs just fine with the engine as high as it is).

 

[Fed]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

Try trimming it out.

 

[ermack]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

I have tried trimming it out, no change on the pull to starboard.

 

[F_R]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

That simply doesn't apply to many many boats, especially with bigger engines and boats with a setback transom or a jackplate. What REALLY matters is AV plate (and prop, and water pickup) height in relation to the water surface when running on plane. Ideally you want the AV plate skimming the surface, or maybe just a tad higher than that, when on plane. That "rule", if applied to my boat, would indicate that my engine is about 9 inches too high (and trust me, it runs just fine with the engine as high as it is).

Got a lot of torque steer??? You must be running on the bottom half of the prop.

 

[ermack]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

here is a pix of the motor, it shows the AV plate even with the bottom of the boat. Of course it is on the trailer.


Johnson 150 Hp Photo by Luckyme_album | Photobucket

 

[Fed]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

Looking at pictures can often trick people but from what I can see that looks just fine to me.

When you tried trimming it out did you give it a fair bit, unless it's calibrated you can't really rely on the gauge to tell you where it is.

What RPM are you getting at wide open throttle?

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

here is a pix of the motor, it shows the AV plate even with the bottom of the boat. Of course it is on the trailer.


Johnson 150 Hp Photo by Luckyme_album | Photobucket

Have you looked at a torque tab yet, as I suggested earlier? What's happening is that you're prop has more torque steer than the adjustable trim tab can handle. The torque tab mounts on the skeg and is essentially a second trim tab. For $15 or so it's a cheap and effective fix.

T-H Marine Torque Tab THM-TAB1DP - Steering Accessories - JMSOnline.net Marine Supply and Boating Store

 

[ermack]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

Yes I did look at torque tab , in fact I ordered one for 15 bucks with free shipping. probably be a bit before i get it with christmas and stuff going on now.

 

[ermack]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

sorry Fred, I didnt answer your question on rpm at wot. I usually never run wide open unless it is a quick burst. I run usually between 3 and 4,000. I really cant remember what it showed wot.

 

[ermack]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

just a update on my boat pulling to starboard. I finally got the torque tab installed on the motor and took it out for a spin. It did the job perfectly. I have no more pull and it is so much easier to drive not having to hang on for dear life. I would recommend the torque tab to anyone who is having the problem I had.......Thanks everyone

 

[boobie]

Re: boat pulling to starboard

Thanks for the feed back.