Can prop torque lock steering on rapid acceleration?

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Howdy all, slow time of the year for me since my season is over, I hope a few of ya'll might have some time to discuss this issue with me. While I got my boat winterized I had the shop look at my steering for the second year in a row. My reported problem is that with the wheel turned hard (mainly to the right) when I accelerate hard (like lifting a skier) the steering is locked, I cannot control the wheel until I pull back on the throttle.

I was thinking the gimble bearing was having a problem, but two separate visuals and a water test, the shop reported no problems. In talking with the service mgr about this again he was explaining about how the torque, especially when the wheel is turned, pushes the drive based on the direction of rotation. After a little bit of thought this makes a lot of sense, and I have read some up on this.

I would be glad to hear any thoughts, pro and con, that this is a likely problem. I bought the boat used and it always acted this way. I have a V-6 with Merc Alpha I drive.

Also, if there are any good ways to counter this, I would appreciate your thoughts. Because of proposing problems I usually run the trim full-down, until now I never thought about adjusting trim up to maybe compensate for this.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can prop torque lock steering on rapid acceleration?

My reported problem is that with the wheel turned hard (mainly to the right) when I accelerate hard (like lifting a skier) the steering is locked, I cannot control the wheel until I pull back on the throttle.

Also, if there are any good ways to counter this,

Ayuh,... Don't do it anymore,... Operator Error...
Launchin' with the wheel hard over isn't how to pull a skier...

Get the boat straight, 'n more importantly the drive straight,... Then Hammer it....

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Can prop torque lock steering on rapid acceleration?

Have to agree. Pulling up a skier with the steering fully one direction is not a good idea.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Can prop torque lock steering on rapid acceleration?

Yeah, point well taken. I often find that I circle the skier to get them the tow rope after a fall, I guess I often leave the drive flopped over to one side and dont think much about it until I hit it. I guess training myself to right the drive after I set the rope will solve my problem the easiest.