Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

[Bilgamesh]

I just bought my boat last week, and had it out for the first time this weekend. I notice under power that the boat wants to lean a bit to port. In looking for a reason, I notice the skeg is chipped and bent a bit to the left. Could this be the cause? -Thanks

 

[shorts&chanclas]

Re: Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

More than likely its torque steer from the prop or you have not found proper trim on the boat. I would think a bent skeg would cause the driver to make a steering input which could cause the boat to yaw and give you the impression.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

I don't think a bent skeg would cause that. I would check for weight distribution on the boat. You never said how big the boat is. If it is an outboard sometimes the fuel tank is on one side or the other. If the guy that had the boat prior to you was larger than you are maybe he had something on the port side to compensate the weight. Lots of things to conceder but the skeg probably just be a steering thing.

 

[Bilgamesh]

Re: Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

Thanks for the replies guys, but I am afraid your terminology went over my head. The boat is 17' I/O Regal. I am not sure about the side of the gas tank, though it is filled on the starboard side of the transom. I think I understand it is likely the torque from the prop may be causing this, or the bent skeg is causing me to compensate slightly which is giving the impression. In either case it is a subtle lean, so probably not something I am going to fix unless anybody thinks it may lead to other problems. - Thanks

 

[Bilgamesh]

Re: Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

More than likely its torque steer from the prop or you have not found proper trim on the boat. I would think a bent skeg would cause the driver to make a steering input which could cause the boat to yaw and give you the impression.

Please forgive my ignorance, but what does it mean that I have not found proper trim? I guess I assumed I was either fully down while in the water, or fully up for trailering. Is it better to be somewhere in between for different applications?

 

[slydog75]

Re: Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

Please forgive my ignorance, but what does it mean that I have not found proper trim? I guess I assumed I was either fully down while in the water, or fully up for trailering. Is it better to be somewhere in between for different applications?

Absolutely. Here's a nice guide I found online: http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/trimtilt899.htm

 

[Bilgamesh]

Re: Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

Thanks for all the replies. I am new and a complete novice, but still avidly researching and learning.

 

[nlain]

Re: Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

Bow down can cause your problem, if you put or have a hydrofoil on the drive that will make it worse, at least it did on my old boat. Yes you need to trim up some when on plane and find the best trim for your boat and load, speed will increase to a point and if you start to porpoise then just a touch trim down. It is something you will learn once you start using the trim. You have trim and you have trailer position, if you have a single button for trim and trailer, you will push the top of it and trim up, push harder and you go past trim to trailer up.

 

[Bilgamesh]

Re: Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

It has a whale-tail on the outdrive. As I understand it, this helps the smaller 3.0L get up on plane more quickly. I will experiment with the trim.

 

[Splat]

Re: Can a bent skeg cause the boat to ride lower on one side?

Thanks for all the replies. I am new and a complete novice, but still avidly researching and learning.

Don't sweat it, we've all been there. That what these forums are all about, were all here cause we enjoy boating, and enjoy helping.

BIll