Steering Adjustments

[topcat112]

I am sure this is the not the correct termology but here goes. My boat pulls to the right when at cruising speed. I have read that you should turn the fin above the prop in the direction the boat is turning. This seems to be opposite of what you would think. Can anyone help me with the correct position.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Steering Adjustments

I have read that you should turn the fin above the prop in the direction the boat is turning. This seems to be opposite of what you would think.

Yeah, it does seem opposite of what you would think, but that little zinc trim tab is not acting as a rudder for the entire boat. It's acting as a rudder for the motor's lower unit. You want that trim tab tilted to the right, so it pushes the back of the lower unit to the left, which makes the boat turn more to the left.

Without that tab pushing the stern of the lower unit to the left, propeller torque will pull the stern of the lower unit to the right, causing the boat to turn right.

Standing behind the boat, facing the motor, looking down from above the unit, the tab probably should be in about the 5 o'clock position.
If the boat still turns to the right, try closer to the 4 o'clock position (to push the lower unit even harder left at cruising speed)

 

[topcat112]

Re: Steering Adjustments

Thank you for this explanation. I think logically and this did not make sense until I read your post. This would have bugged me every time we took the boat out as to how it worked and taken away some of the enjoyment. Yea I am a little weird that way. I focus on something until I can understand it.