Steering Problems

[ndebolt3]

I got my boat back today after learning the motor was too low and took it out on the river for a quick test drive. They raised the motor about an inch and put a fourblade stainless steel impeller in (it was three blade aluminum before). There is a lot more power, but the handling was completely different. As soon as i would get to about 30 mph, the boat would swerve right or left out of nowhere and I tried changing the plane, but everytime I would start going fairly fast, the handing would disappear and the boat didn't seem to respond much to countsteering and the boat would make a 90 degree turn. Any ideas what would cause this? Also, the guy who fixed it took it out and said he was running 47 mph at about 5,500 rpms and didn't say anything about steering problems. The highest rpms I got was about 5,150. I must be doing something wrong, but I have no idea what I am missing. Any help or anything you have experienced with jets would be great.
By the way it is a 1860 War Eagle.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering Problems

are you adjusting trim? what type steering system do you have?

 

[ndebolt3]

Re: Steering Problems

I adjusted the trim a little, but the handling was so different I didn't drive it for long. I don't know what type of steering it is, but there is a steering wheel with a cable going back to the motor. My guess is though, it's not the steering itself, but the way the motor is effecting the handling of the boat. I am just confused what would cause this because before I had the motor raised the steering was fine.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering Problems

Ayuh,...

My Guess is,... You're either Under trimming, or Over trimming...

It sounds the Under triming,+ the hull is hooking a chine, pulling the boat off course...

 

[mphy98]

Re: Steering Problems

brings back memories!! back in 72 i bought a 16" slickcraft ski boat with a 70hp chrysler on it. it was only rated for a 50hp but i had that motor installed so i could ski with a couple of people on the back. i was only 18 back then and indestructable. i switched one day to a speed prop (2 blade) and the great handling boat i had with the power prop went right out the window. the speed went up but handling bad sounds to me like the same thing happend to you. sometimes faster isn't better. try trim tabs. but if all else fails go back to original prop. it might cure you ills.

 

[ndebolt3]

Re: Steering Problems

Ayuh,...

My Guess is,... You're either Under trimming, or Over trimming...

It sounds the Under triming,+ the hull is hooking a chine, pulling the boat off course...

I was reading that if you have a boat trimmed to low the thrust of the jet can push the front of the boat down and the back of the boat up, causing the bow to cut in the water and swerve left or right. I did notice a lot of spray coming from the front. Could this be the cause do you think?

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering Problems

it very well could be. you may need to start with the motor not all the way down. each boat handles differently, and each set up also. experiment, with tilt angles.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Steering Problems

Ya, I can about drive my bow underwater with the trim with a four blade prop. Then you are at the mercy of what ever way the bow cuts the water.

 

[ndebolt3]

Re: Steering Problems

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am taking it out Saturday, so I will let you know if I can get it figure out. Once again thanks for the help.

 

[ndebolt3]

Re: Steering Problems

Good news!! I figured out the trim and the handling was like night and day. Also, with five dozen decoys, three hunters, a dog, and a bunch of other gear, we reached 37 mph going upstream with a 15 mph head wind. I am glad I finally got it figured out and all the problems resolved. Thanks for the help.