revisit subject

[gregs]

This is my first boat and only four times on the water. Just learning how to get boat on plain. When I took boat out by myself it was pretty level. Then I took my son out, plaining the same as before the boat was leaning on his side. I weigh 200 pds, he weighs 80 pds. I first thought it was a weight shift problem and I was going to have to move my battery to my side of boat to help problem. If I have him move from the passenger seat back to the bench seat and shift from center to right side of the boat onto my side,the boat was level once again. But then I found that if I raised the motor a little it would level out with him in the passenger seat. But the front of the boat was not down on the water as much as it was. I hear people talk about a trim gauge but I dont have one. Im just wondering if this is normal or do I have something out of wack.It seems to me no matter if boat is to high in the front or to low if shouldnt lean to one side.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: revisit subject

What type of boat and motor?

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: revisit subject

If you run with the boat too flat (too bow down)<br />it will tend to bow steer and induce a torque list (lean). The motor rotates clockwise and the boat wants to unwind so to speak in the oposite direction. This is why most boats have the helm on the starboard side (right). With the bow down the boat is running (balancing) on the keel and the and any additional wheight (your son) will make the boat list most often to port (left) because of the prop torque. Allowing the bow to come up (motor trim) removes weight froom the forward keel and lets the boat ride with more lateral stability on the flatter rear area of the hull. The boat should run with a slight bow up attitude.

 

[KaGee]

Re: revisit subject

Thanks for the lesson John!

 

[craze1cars]

Re: revisit subject

It would help to know what kind of boat/motor you have to help give more specific instructions. <br /><br />Most motors have a trim tab on them that can be adjusted to compensate for some of your problem. Look at your propeller, you should see a small fin sticking down from above, right behind the propeller. This can be loosened, turned side-to-side, and tightened back down. Experiment with it in different positions, it might flatten things out for you. A little movement of that tiny little thing will have more impact than you think.

 

[gregs]

Re: revisit subject

Thanks guys, I think nautijohn is right. With my lack of experiance I was dropping the bow down to much. Like I said if I pull it up just a little it does level out. The boat is a 15ft 88 glasstream with a 2.3 ltr ford motor.

 

[gregs]

Re: revisit subject

Tonight I adjusted the trim tab as suggested. Didn't know witch way to go. It had some #S on it. Was on a 4,I put it on a 5. Will test it soon. Also while down there at the prop I noticed that the fin at the bottom of the lower unit was bent. Actually it had a curve in it, looked like this ) So I'm wondering how much this afected the boat tilting to the left.

 

[gregs]

Re: revisit subject

Most motors have a trim tab on them that can be adjusted to compensate for some of your problem. Look at your propeller, you should see a small fin sticking down from above, right behind the propeller. This can be loosened, turned side-to-side, and tightened back down. Experiment with it in different positions, it might flatten things out for you. A little movement of that tiny little thing will have more impact than you think. <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 207 | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />gregs <br />Petty Officer 3rd Class <br />Member # 8499 <br /><br /> posted May 27, 2005 05:12 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Thanks guys, I think nautijohn is right. With my lack of experiance I was dropping the bow down to much. Like I said if I pull it up just a little it does level out. The boat is a 15ft 88 glasstream with a 2.3 ltr ford motor. <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 76 | From: ohio | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />gregs <br />Petty Officer 3rd Class <br />Member # 8499 <br /><br /> posted May 29, 2005 10:34 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Tonight I adjusted the trim tab as suggested. Didn't know witch way to go. It had some #S on it. Was on a 4,I put it on a 5. Will test it soon. Also while down there at the prop I noticed that the fin at the bottom of the lower unit was bent. Actually it had a curve in it, looked like this ) So I'm wondering how much this afected the boat tilting to the left.