Pulling to Port

[gregmsr]

1989 Force 125, W/Stingray fin.

I have to hold the wheel to the right. I let go and the boat turns left most of the time. I can turn hard to the right, and it will straighten up for a little while. It's like getting the motor past half way, then it will go straight for a little while then back to pulling to the left.
Which way do I adjust the exaust snout to help correct this?
Is the Stingray fin causing this?

 

[maxum247]

Re: Pulling to Port

First check to see if the bolt that attaches your steering cable to the engine has any play in it, I found slop in mine!

Then make sure your fin doesn't have a curve or twist of some sort in it.
You can remove the fin and see how the boat does without it.

If these are alright you can adjust the exhausht snout, I understand you adjust it in the direction that the boat is pulling from what I've read, still have trouble wrapping my brain around that one!

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Pulling to Port

If these are alright you can adjust the exhausht snout, I understand you adjust it in the direction that the boat is pulling from what I've read, still have trouble wrapping my brain around that one!

...my thoughts exactly, thats still a mystery to me. As a result I too have a boat that pulls a little more to one side than the other.
(its due this year for a steering cable replacement first tho'....after that I'll re-address this weird snout/direction alignment thing)

BP

 

[Sinko]

Re: Pulling to Port

Is the snout also called a trim tab? If so, I've also been informed to turn the tab in the direction of the pull.

 

[maxum247]

Re: Pulling to Port

On some engines yes! Trim tabs are solid no exhaust going thru them like the exhaust snout.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Pulling to Port

Ok, let's think a little here. If you are pulling to the left, the exhaust shout must be (may be) swung/slid to the left thus pushing the stern to the right which will point the bow to the left, and make you pull left. Get that?
Trial and error may be the ticket. I will swing the snout to the right and see if that changes anything. And check for any slack in the steering cable, etc.

 

[maxum247]

Re: Pulling to Port

Ok, let's think a little here. If you are pulling to the left, the exhaust shout must be (may be) swung/slid to the left thus pushing the stern to the right which will point the bow to the left, and make you pull left. Get that?
Trial and error may be the ticket. I will swing the snout to the right and see if that changes anything. And check for any slack in the steering cable, etc.

Pulling left, adjust left, pulling right, adjust right, has to do with motor torque according to the manual that came with my 1989 125hp Force.
Don't understand it past that!

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Pulling to Port

Seems the exhaust would have a "thrust" factor. Like a jet drive. Hmmmm.......

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pulling to Port

If your boat is pulling to the right, like all boats with clockwise (normal) prop rotation, turn the back of the trim tab on the cavitation plate to the right like this if looking at it from above (\)

If your boat is pullling to the left, usually what happens with counterclockwise (opposite) rotation, turn the back of your trim tab to the left like this (/)

The amount of angle of the tab will vary depending on your situation (trial, & error)

The reason this works, is because water pressure underway will turn your lower unit in the direction the tab is facing, slightly couteracting prop torque.
It will be most effective once at planing speed.

When going on, or coming off, plane a slight wiggle might be felt due to the counteracting forces, of the tab, & prop torque.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Pulling to Port

Thanks Mikdee.
I have clockwise prop rotation and pull to the left.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pulling to Port

Thanks Mikdee.
I have clockwise prop rotation and pull to the left.

Normally all boats pull to the right with Clockwise rotation, either your snout is set to far to the right, or the hydrofoil is causing this?

 

[JustJason]

Re: Pulling to Port

sure about that mikedee? Usually single engine single prop boats pull to port. The paddlewheel effect...

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pulling to Port

I'm pretty sure, I think every boat I've had pulled to the right, some more then others. Thinking about it, the right hand prop digs into the water with it's right side to pull the boat through the water, causing the lower unit to be pulled to the right (prop torque), hence the boat wants to go right, and vice versa for the left handed prop.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Pulling to Port

it's always been the other way around for me..... boat wants to pull to port.
Think of a standard rotation prop as a paddlewheel spinning sideways. The trailing edges of the prop are hitting the water on the right side (as viewing from the back of the boat) so it want to push the boat to the left.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Pulling to Port

I will try one thing at a time to correct this and report back with what I find.

1- Remove hydrofoil
2- adjust exhaust snout
3- scratch head

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Pulling to Port

Ok, I made an adjustment to the sout. The snout was turned all the way to the right ( \ ), and the boat was pulling to the left. So I moved it (snout) all the way left ( / ) and presto, no pull either way. Ran fairly straight.
I still have an occasional "flopping" feeling in the steering wheel. Like the motor will reach a certain point and "flop" a little to the other side which gives a slight tug to the steering wheel. Maybe a little slack going on here to investigate.