My boat needs a front end alignment!

[gleavens]

I have a 1985 Chris Craft Scorpion 169 with a 3.0L, no power steering, while underway the boats wants to turn to starboard, i have to keep constant pressure on the steering wheel to keep on course. Any thoughts?

 

[Bondo]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

Ayuh,... Adjust the trimtab Anode on the bottom of the anti-cav-plate...

 

[gleavens]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

clockwise or counter ?

 

[BF]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

trailing edge of the trim tab needs to move towards starboard side. So, CCW when looking from the top down, or CW when looking from the bottom up. You will probably still get torque steer if you adjust the trim, but set it so the steering is neutral at your most common cruise settings.

 

[gleavens]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

OK, at first glance the trailing edge was more to port ( lets say 11:00 looking from bottom up) so I should turn it so the trailng edge will come back to at least "12" (CW) maybe more? should the tab move without first removing any screws/pins/bolts? (because it does)

 

[xltier]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

OK, at first glance the trailing edge was more to port ( lets say 11:00 looking from bottom up) so I should turn it so the trailng edge will come back to at least "12" (CW) maybe more? should the tab move without first removing any screws/pins/bolts? (because it does)

it should be tight.a bolt comes down thru and into it.usually a allen head bolt.

 

[Bondo]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

it should be tight.a bolt comes down thru and into it.usually a allen head bolt.

Ayuh,... Usually 5/16" or 3/8"....

 

[Les Robb]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

Looking from the rear the back of tab must be moved to the starboard about 3-5 degrees and if you tilt the engine up and look from underneath just set it at 2 to 3 minutes after 12 clockwise. Tigten securely or it won't be able to counteract the natural torque of your engine. If the pull is other way, then back off it dosen't take much adjustment to correct this problem. Hope it will tighten for you.

Good luck and safe boating ya'll

 

[gleavens]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

looks as though I may have a problem with that bolt. after removing the plug up above the tab and looking down the hole i don't see any bolt head, allen or otherwise. the tab will move, albeit difficult, as is, but i think if i can move it by hand, the water may just move it back on me. i'll try it and see what happens, i've got nothing to lose now right?

 

[Don S]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

There is a bolt in there, that's what holds the anode on.
Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean you don't have one.
It's there, trust me, they (1drive thru Alpha I Gen II) all have one

 

[BF]

Re: My boat needs a front end alignment!

my alpha 1 tab comes off with a 3/8" allen key (the T-handle ones work best). If it's floppy now, take the bolt right out (and tab will come off), clean the threads and reinstall after painting the threads with anti-sieze compound.