Boat wanders from left to center

[jakedogg66]

Hey Guys,

I will try my best to explain....
While at speed about 8 mph....the boat tends to drift left and back to center...repeatlly side to side (back and forth) with the streeing held steady... Its almost like you are moving the wheel back and forth.. If I let go of the wheel it would do it on its own....(like some one streering back and forth) But it was doing it on its own.

Thanks
First time user

 

[QC]

Re: Boat wanders from left to center

Welcome aboard jake!! Very common issue with V-hulls and I/Os, but other combos can exhibit "wander" as well. 8 MPH sounds high though, more typically less than 5 MPH in a 20 footer . . . can you give us some more info? How are you getting that speed? Boat size? Powerplant?

If it is wander, there is nothing you can do except trim tabs in the full down position, but even that doesn't solve it 100%. You simply have to make lots of small corrections to keep her on course.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Boat wanders from left to center

Bow wander is very typical in certain boats. As QC mentioned there's not a lot you can do about it but make those small steering corrections. Next time you're out and the boat starts that just take your hands off of the wheel and see what she does. Mine will do the same thing but she will always center back up - and then left - and then right. I hope you get the picture.
The trims tabs as QC said will help slow that down but you should also try to kick the motor up a bit ( or lower unit ). I find by doing that it it does slow things down. I have a 1 mile no wake zone to go through from the house to the inlet and it is indeed a pain in the arse.
My wife swears I've been hitting the Scotch way too early.
Just keep playing with your trim, RPM's ( if possible ) and she'll calm down some.

 

[QC]

Re: Boat wanders from left to center

I agree ^^^^^^ drive up and tabs down is probably the best. I am guessing trim up makes for a longer rudder, d'know . . .

 

[jakedogg66]

Re: Boat wanders from left to center

Thanks for the quick replys.....

Here goes..

This is my second season with the boat.. It it a 1996 Nitro with a 115 Merc outboard 18.5 sport. While traveling thru a no-wake zone...Thats what she does with no hands on the wheel she goes off then back to center. I just don't remember it doing that!!! I did hit bottom with a big wack! Thought that my have started it. I checked to see if any damage but didn't see anything real bad..This only happens at no-wake speed. It drives me to the Scotch. And again I just dont remeber it doing it....that doesnt mean it didnt!!!!LOL

THANKS

 

[QC]

Re: Boat wanders from left to center

Yeah Jake, wakeless speed with that hull is probably 3 - 4 MPH. If it goes away when you start to build a bigger wake, say 7 - 10 MPH then I would say normal. If you still have the problem at the higher speeds then I think you might have something wrong.

Other than your 8 MPH note above, it still sounds like classic wander to me.