Pulls right

[zimmer62]

I purchased my boat last fall with a bad engine, and I rebuilt it so I don't know how it ran before, however it's pull very hard right.

Force 1990, 90hp 906X90C
18' Bayliner Capri

The skeg looks fine.

I adjusted the tab above the prop both fully left, and fully right and neither made any difference in how much it pulls.

I read somewhere (however haven't had a chance to try it) that if the motor is trimmed down too far this could be the problem, has anyone else seen this, and able to correct it?

It's very difficult to keep the boat going straight.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pulls right

All boats pull to the right, it has to do with clockwise prop torque forcing it that way. After coming back to an outboard, from having I/O's with power steering all the time, I forgot how annoying this is. Moving the trim tab to the right some (as you're facing the back of the fin) should help some, at least while on plane, then when you come off plane it will go right back to the way it was only slightly pulling to the right.

 

[zimmer62]

Re: Pulls right

It's not just slightly pulling to the right. You really have to muscle it to keep the boat going straight. If you were to let go of the wheel, it might throw you out of the boat.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pulls right

Ayuh,,, Mine's just like that.

 

[jstme]

Re: Pulls right

hooked hull mabey?

 

[zimmer62]

Re: Pulls right

"hooked hull", I'm not familiar with what that means, how would I tell?

Is there anything I can do to make this easier to steer?

I called up to the lake and had my parents try driving it not trimming the motor down all the way, and they said it didn't make a difference.

Could it be a problem changing that tab all the way left or right having the same outcome, should I be trying other settings in the middle to see if it helps?

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Pulls right

......I'm in the same boat too, pardon the pun.
I've got an 18' B-Capri w/ a 90hp force and I get the right pull too. It seems to be a bit dependent on the throttle as to how much it pulls.
My steering (like a lot of them) is somewhat stiff so there is some inherent resistance to just taking off and spinning right.
I guess this is something we may all have to live with?
Do other OB motors and boats do this as well?

 

[greenoil]

Re: Pulls right

yeah, mine does also. I have performed the same adjustment that you are talking about and it kind of helps. Mabey you could just drag something behind the left side of the boat. LOL. J/K

 

[eedwards]

Re: Pulls right

I have a 1975 Chrysler courier with a 90 horse and mine stays straight as an arrow,but my Buddy's 1979 swisher with a I/O pulls really bad.
This is strange since what I'm reading it should be the other way around.

 

[baxtr]

Re: Pulls right

I have a 89 bayliner capri 1900 force 125 pulls on take off, but after playing with the exhaust snout it stays true on course at any speed.....as....long....as..........the weight in the boat is evenly distributed.

If you have too much weight on one side, it will want to track that way, so you(driver) plus the torque will send it right.

 

[jstme]

Re: Pulls right

I had a older bayliner that did that due to a hooked hull.....seems the hull tweeked a little while in storage laying to one side for a couple of years. I dont know how or why it did it or if that is what caused the hull to flex, but the outcome was the boat pulled strongly to one side. May not be your problem but was mine....just a thought.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pulls right

I have a 89 bayliner capri 1900 force 125 pulls on take off, but after playing with the exhaust snout it stays true on course at any speed.....as....long....as..........the weight in the boat is evenly distributed.

If you have too much weight on one side, it will want to track that way, so you(driver) plus the torque will send it right.

Are you saying I'm a fat a**? well, just a little, how did you know actually that's the only part of me that's not fat
Maybe I should put the helm on the port side? Just kiddin, but I guess all this does matter some.

The last outboard boat I had years ago, was a 16' Wellcraft Airslot with a 115hp Evinrude, then a 135hp Johnson, and I do remember the same problem with it pulling to the right, but I don't remember it being as bad. It helped some moving the trim tab slightly to the right. I haven't had to deal with this on my last 5-I/O boat's, because they all had power steering, the issue was still there, but much less severe, I still had to adjust the trim tab on those also, I haven't had my present boat out often enough yet to adjust it, but will be soon.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Pulls right

AAdjusting the trim tab as mentioned above should help some. Also if while underway you trim the motor up a bit you may find the pull neutralized

 

[zimmer62]

Re: Pulls right

What about Telflex NFB (No-feedback) steering systems? Does anyone have experience with these? Would this solve the problem?

Another idea, would some of that torque go away with an aluminum prop instead of a stainless steel, do to it being lighter?

I can give the prop a try this weekend and see if it makes any difference. However I like my stainless prop

Joe

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pulls right

I've always had aluminum props, with the same problem, it doesn't matter IMO, I never had the money for a stainless prop.

 

[zimmer62]

Re: Pulls right

I wouldn't have had the money for a stainless either, but after finding out it was going to take two weeks to get a new aluminum prop, I checked ebay and got REALLY lucky, someone an hour drive from me was selling a stainless prop that happened to fit and was the pitch I was looking for, for only $49.... talk about a good deal.

I'm still curious about the Teleflex NFB, it sounds like it might work, but I'd really like to hear from someone who has it installed to fix this problem.

 

[zimmer62]

Re: Pulls right

Anyone?

 

[azlakes]

Re: Pulls right

Hey there; As someone mentioned earlier. Check at the snout just above the prop. I loosened a large bolt and was able to swivel this snout to the left(with some force). It helped tremendously on my steering issue which was very close to what you described. You'll see in the pic its all the way to the right prior to my tweak. There is not much room for adjustmnet but a little went a long way... Hope this helps you.

 

[zimmer62]

Re: Pulls right

Yeah, I tried that all the way right, and it didn't make a difference.

However I did try trimming up the motor today, and it does help. I still think I'm going to look into smart tabs, or a no feed back steering cable.

I'd just like to get some input from someone who has put in either of these systems.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Pulls right

Yeah, I tried that all the way right, and it didn't make a difference.

Turn it to the left. And azlakes, my hydrofoil exascerbates the problem. Looks like the same one you have. Without it the steering is soooo much easier too.