Boat pulls to right

[SPYKE-KPT]

Hello, I have a 20' grady white with a 200 Yamaha EFI. The boat pulls to the right and is really hard to steer back left. I had to replace the zinc above the prop and had it straight. This weekend I changed the direction on it to try to fix the pulling. This did not stop the pulling.<br />The steering has alot of play in it so I don't know if I need to play with the zink more or is it in the streering? Any help.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Boat pulls to right

Spy - The prop spins clockwise and will pull the wheel to the right due to the torque. The cure is to turn the zinc to the left, until the steering is neutral at normal cruising speed and trim.

 

[Sivart]

Re: Boat pulls to right

I think it needs to be adjusted to the right not left by what I was told here a few months back. It has helped a bit but I still need to move it further.

 

[SPYKE-KPT]

Re: Boat pulls to right

Thanks, There are three notches to the left and the right of center for whitch to turn towards and it is pretty far over. I will try turning it more to see if this will help. Thank's

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Boat pulls to right

Sounds like extreme bow steer to me, does it help to trim the engine out some?<br />--------------------<br />

 

[DJ]

Re: Boat pulls to right

Adjust the TRAILING edge of the tab in the direction of the pull.

 

[SPYKE-KPT]

Re: Boat pulls to right

I don't think trimming the engine helped. But I will try that. And I did adjust the trailing edge of the tab in that direction, but might have not done it far enough. Also will trim tab's make it pull?

 

[DJ]

Re: Boat pulls to right

They should not.

 

[BillP]

Re: Boat pulls to right

One tab down and one tab up can steer a boat but I don't think are effective or the right fix for what you describe. As already mentioned, adjust the trim tab more. If that doesn't take it out check the lower skeg to see if it is bent. Another place to look...the motor may not be mounted straight.<br /><br />On second thought, that is hyd steering right? It may need fluid...there should be zero play.

 

[Sivart]

Re: Boat pulls to right

Mine still pulls right until it is trimmed out (about 45 to 50 mph) at slower speeds when I dont have the motor trimmed out as much it pulls pretty hard. The less it is trimmed the more it pulls. I still have some adjustment to the right and I suspect the tab will be all the way to the right when I am done. I dont really care as long as it does not pull anymore.<br />I am gaining ground little by little.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Boat pulls to right

Sounds silly and simple, but have you greased the steering recently? BillP hits a point, but if you have tabs are they working and retracting correctly?<br /><br />Start with adjusting the annode all the way in the direction of the pull. If that doesn't fix it than look to more serious concerns. Do you have a jack plate? Trim tabs, loading of the boat heavier on one side? Is this boat new to you or have you owned it without this problem for some time?

 

[SPYKE-KPT]

Re: Boat pulls to right

I just bought the boat and when I got it the zinc was off the motor and the tab was broken. So I don't know how far it was turned. I have not greased the steering yet. But will soon. I have trim tab's which I don't know if this is normal or not but the left button's control the right side, and the right side buttons controls the left side. I am just looking for some ideas. New boater, must learn. Thank's

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Boat pulls to right

Spy,<br /><br />Yep, that is how many of the trim tabs are set up. Check on the trailer that the tabs go down and up with the toggle controls, If one is hanging up that could be your cause. <br /><br />Typically trimming the outboard up will smooth out the steering at high speeds, and especially to the right with the torque condition mentioned above. If trimming doesn't help I am inclined to think that it isn't necessarily engine related. Try the new trim tab and see if that helps, as you are in Maine, I assume you use this in salt water and you won't want to use the boat without it.

 

[SPYKE-KPT]

Re: Boat pulls to right

Yes, I checked the trim tabs and they worked fine but I will check them agian and I use the boat in saltwater.