problems steering in reverse

[smfeight]

We bought a 1980 25 ft Cruiser this past June. When we finally got in the water in September, we had very little steering control in reverse. Forward seem ok, not smooth but like a old car that wander all over the road. We tired different props with the same results. Any thoughts out there.
Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: problems steering in reverse

That's absolutely normal for any boat. They aren't designed to steer in reverse. That big flat transom in the water makes for poor steering and tracking.

 

[cheesegrits]

Re: problems steering in reverse

Most hulls will wander like you describe. Depending on rotation of the prop most will steer one way better than the other. Your boats big enough that your wandering is actually kind of slow, the lighter it is the quicker it reacts to inputs like waves and wind. Backing up to dock can be harrowing. People with twin motors have it easy as the rotations counteract each other and you can hold your course in reverse much easier.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: problems steering in reverse

to steer a single in reverse you back with helm straight or steer slightly in the direction you wanna go then neutral, steer the other way, forward for a second, neutral, steer back to center, back to reverse, .... repeat as needed