Hard steering

ae708

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 17, 2002
Messages
591
I tried to post this before but I seem to have messed up. My boat is much harder to steer with a Michigan aluminum prop than it is with a Hustler aluminum... same pitch. I have to keep a constant 1/2 turn to the right with the Michigan whereas with the Hustler it goes practically straight... any ideas.... thanks...
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Hard steering

You need to adjust the trim tab(fin)on the bottom of the lower unit to compensate for the pulling. If the wheel pulls to the left, move the back of the fin to the left. Pulls to the right, move the fin to the right. Don't know why the props make the difference. Could be the trim position your using that makes the difference between props. But this will cure it...
 

VistaMan

Seaman
Joined
Feb 8, 2003
Messages
60
Re: Hard steering

What kind of motor do you have? If it is over 100 HP you may be expieriancing torqu steering. This is due to the prop biting into the water better. Typicaly the little tab on the bottom of the ventalation plate wont do much what you will need is a torque tab. This is a plate that bolts or rivets onto the training edge of the skedge. they are not very expensive and are easy to attach.
 

ae708

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 17, 2002
Messages
591
Re: Hard steering

Moving the little trim tab doesn't help much. I dunno about the one prop biting harder than the other... it seems that the acceleration and top speed are about the same. The motor sure isn't anything to brag about as far as power. It's just a 3.0 Mercruiser 130 HP. Top speed is around 47-49 with one person aboard.
 
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