Sunbridge Bayliner wont steer straight at slow speed?

[Aquadzac Captain]

For some reason this sunbridge 24.5 1988 Bayliner just likets to drift right then left then right at slow speeds. I spend a lot of energy working the wheel? Anyone have any idea what I can do to the boat to make it stay straight at slow speeds?? Any tricks??

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Sunbridge Bayliner wont steer straight at slow speed?

thats about right<br /> usually if you dont fight it it will straighten back up. you may inspect the gimbal area to insure all is well and its still tight. but its a v bottom and will bow steer at low speeds. placing your trim tabs down may help.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[Trent]

Re: Sunbridge Bayliner wont steer straight at slow speed?

I agree with rodbolt. It sounds like the normal "V-Hull Wandering".

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sunbridge Bayliner wont steer straight at slow speed?

Yep,<br />That's how big boats Steer..........<br />Let it drift a little,+ Don't Fight it......<br />Just a Touch left or right........<br />You'll get the hang of it..........<br /><br />Welcome to iboats.....

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Sunbridge Bayliner wont steer straight at slow speed?

The low speed wander is common for just about all single engine stern drive or Outboard powered boat. Why? First you are pushing the boat from the back (center) with the bow in the water, so every small change in wind or current will push the bow one side or another. Loading the boat toward the bow can also exagerate this condition. <br /><br />Steering cables and other assemblies which may be loose will also increase the wander.<br /><br />Our customers rank this as one of the top annoyances and problems. If you have trim tabs on this boat, you can easily minimize the problem. Simply deploy the tabs at slow speeds, and this will stabilize the side to side movement. Many of our customers have said that making this problem go away was worth the price of the Smart Tabs, not to mention the other performance improvemnets.

 

[praetorian]

Re: Sunbridge Bayliner wont steer straight at slow speed?

Trim tabs, eh?<br /><br />I didn't know that, I was thinking of trading my boat for one with twins to resolve this (and make docking easier).<br /><br />This is great, I'll try it tomorrow!!!

 

[Aquadzac Captain]

Re: Sunbridge Bayliner wont steer straight at slow speed?

Thanks to all for that swift replies! I thought it was just a V hull issue and was right. Will do the trim tabs this year! Great to hear from you all!!! Thanks

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Sunbridge Bayliner wont steer straight at slow speed?

Praetorian;<br /><br />If you can afford the price of a new boat with twin engines - go for it. However it will mostlikely have Tabs too.

 

[achris]

Re: Sunbridge Bayliner wont steer straight at slow speed?

Aquadzac,<br /><br />My Bertram 20 does the same thing. Yes, it's a pain. I just don't travel that slow anymore <br /><br />Chris.............