Loss of speed and steers to left

[Alex875]

Hi All this is my first post so excuse me if its rubbish.

I bought a bayliner 175 2004 6 weeks ago the boat is in great cond just serviced etc. i put the boat in the mar menor a salt water kind of lake off the med sea in spain.

when i first went out in the boat it cruised at 25 mph and reached speeds of 40mph+.

within the last 6 weeks the boat has picked up a lot of grime barnacles etc as its not antifouled it looks bad. also i caught the high five prop on a something and it put a few nicks in the prop.

I went out on the boat on sunday and couldnt reach speeds more than 25mph and the boat wants to steer left all the time.

so my plans are to take the boat out this week anti foul then look at getting prop repaired.

Can any one help me with the problem? is the prop the cause and the grime etc? or is it something else? any feed back would be great

Thanks

Iain

 

[gcboat]

Re: Loss of speed and steers to left

Your loss of speed is due to the growth on the bottom. You'll be amazed how that "gunk" slows it down.
No, your prop is there for one reason - propels the boat. It has nothing to do with any other function or mishap.

 

[Alex875]

Re: Loss of speed and steers to left

Thanks for your help if i take the boat out of the sea and clean it up then antifoul the speed should be back yes??? is this the reason its turning left aswell?? also do i need to repair prop or not?
Thanks for your advisen

Iain

 

[rondi]

Re: Loss of speed and steers to left

The reason it pulls to one side is that you need to adjust the trim anode (the little sundial thing just above the prop). It is meant to compensate for prop torque.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Loss of speed and steers to left

Well, if the ole' gal was doing good before then it should go back to normal - after you clean it up. A little warning - if you've never applied antifouling paint before then you should either have it applied by a professional or do some serious reading on the matter.
Getting the prop repaired would be a good thing. Even a small ding will cause a vibration ( you may not notice it ) which will raise havoc with the lower unit.
As rondi mentioned the trim anode will need to be adjusted.
Here's a little info on bottom paint:http://www.marinepainting.net/anti-fouling-bottom-paint.html

 

[Alex875]

Re: Loss of speed and steers to left

Thanks Guys

I appriciate the advise i will pull her out this week and get the job done then let you know if it works. im not going to put the antifoul on ive been quoted 170 euros which aint bad.

one other thing i could with help on. a few weeks ago i was out on her and about 6 inchs of the rub rail came loose and water come in behind the cd player and the cd player has never worked since i checked the fuse under steering wheel there fine will it be knackerd? also i banged the rail back in will that be ok? or should i have it siliconed?

Cheers

Iain

 

[contractorguy]

Re: Loss of speed and steers to left

Getting the prop repaired would be a good thing. Even a small ding will cause a vibration ( you may not notice it ) which will raise havoc with the lower unit.
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'Havoc' can mean $$$$. The lower unit bearings, seals and shaft are in danger when the prop is not balanced.

Fix that and the bottom, then tweak the trim anode when all else is fine.

 

[Alex875]

Re: Loss of speed and steers to left

Hi All

Had the boat anti fouled and boats back to 40mph+ thanks guys

Iain

 

[gcboat]

Re: Loss of speed and steers to left

Good news - now, just keep it clean and you're good to go for a bit.