Twitchy steering on inboard

[mp3mike05]

I just recently purchased a 21' 1990 Malibu Euro. This is my first true inboard I have ever driven, only sterndrives and outboards in the past.

I know that since you are only turning a rudder and not the prop, they can turn on a dime at higher speeds. However, I have found that at speed (say 30mph) if I were to let go of the steering wheel it would snap to the right violently. On a sterndrive you could adjust trim or trimtabs, but why is this happening on the inboard?

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Twitchy steering on inboard

I just recently purchased a 21' 1990 Malibu Euro. This is my first true inboard I have ever driven, only sterndrives and outboards in the past.

I know that since you are only turning a rudder and not the prop, they can turn on a dime at higher speeds. However, I have found that at speed (say 30mph) if I were to let go of the steering wheel it would snap to the right violently. On a sterndrive you could adjust trim or trimtabs, but why is this happening on the inboard?

The steering is not the zero feedback type.
The rudder needs to be mounted a bit off center That will let the prop shaft be removed if necessary and help with the pull on the steering.

They do sell a wedge you can bolt to the rudder that will help center it. Sort of like a trim tab. If your boat turns right you put the tab on the right.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Twitchy steering on inboard

That is 'normal' on some small higher speed inboards. (That tendency could have been tweeked out of it during the design & setup of the boat design.) I'll bet you are running a left hand engine & prop. It is the rotation of the prop that is making the boat veer to the right. (I have a 16' high performance inboard with a right hand engine & you really can't let go of the wheel for even a second when doing more than 25 - 30 knots or the boat goes into an immediate left turn.)

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Twitchy steering on inboard

A bent rudder shaft would be the first place to look.