boat leans to the left at a steep angle

[Moody Blue]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

The only thing I had in the front of the boat is a 12 pd anchor, and a small battery + the trolling motor. The weight on the boat says 940 pds. Dry. The boat goes to plain very quickly.

Its not just a factor of how much weight is up front, but also what angle the motor pushes the boat thru the water. The fact you get on plane quickly indicates that the motor is trimmed full down. That is good to get on plain but BAD for running.

I'm a bit flustered at the moment thinking that I got ripped off. Guess I should have waited for open water, and test drove the boat first.

Not to worry just yet. More than likely just a setup problem. The more detailed info you can provide the better we can all try to help. Answer as many of these questions as you can ......

Do you have power trim or manual?

Is the steering stiff while stopped also, or just while under way?

Where is the anti-ventilation plate of the motor relative to the bottom of the boat?

Is there a trim anode installed on the bottom edge of the anti-ventilation plate behind the prop? If so, what direction is it oriented in?

While underway, is there alot of water spray from the bow?

 

[jyenney]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

Its not just a factor of how much weight is up front, but also what angle the motor pushes the boat thru the water. The fact you get on plane quickly indicates that the motor is trimmed full down. That is good to get on plain but BAD for running.



Not to worry just yet. More than likely just a setup problem. The more detailed info you can provide the better we can all try to help. Answer as many of these questions as you can ......

Do you have power trim or manual?
I have power trim

Is the steering stiff while stopped also, or just while under way?
I've taken the steering apart and unhooked from the motor. The steering is easy to the left. I can turn the steering 1/2 way to the right easy then it starts to get hard to turn.

Where is the anti-ventilation plate of the motor relative to the bottom of the boat?
2 inches above the bottom of the V

Is there a trim anode installed on the bottom edge of the anti-ventilation plate behind the prop? If so, what direction is it oriented in?
Yes there is, It is tilted very slightly to the left.

While underway, is there alot of water spray from the bow?

No, there is an even spray on both sides just a touch in front of the windshield.

Thankyou

 

[oops!]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

just a touch in front of the windshield.

Thankyou

bow steer.

2 possible causes.......


1. improper set up....this means that the angle at the front of the drive is pointed up causing the bow to go down.......stand back and look at the boat......the antiventelation plate should be level with the keel of the boat....and straight in line...
(imagine a line from the bottom right thru your drive) is your drive kinda pointing up?...there are pins in the bracket that holds the motor....these can be adjust the motor angle up or down........make sure that the anti ventelation plate is straight with the bottom of the boat.....use stringlines if you have to. this is the most likely cause of your problem....it uasually can be seen with the naked eye in the driveway with the motor all the way down.

2...... hull hook.
not good.....was the boat restored?.... did the p.o mention anything of "work on the hull"...?
a hook occures when the rear surface of the keel is concave......this causes a "sucking motion" and literally sucks the bow of the boat in to the water.
a hook is rare and not likely the answer....it can be caused by improper trailer configuration as well.

a way to determine a hook is by taking a stringline from just aft of the bow...and running along the keel to the transom. this is repeated in several areas of the hull.
some boats have a natural hook.....but it is small.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

he has power trim....... trim it way up .... oh and take a safe boating course.... trimming the engine along with alot of other things which could save your life will be explained

 

[oops!]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

he has power trim......

im an i/o guy....i thought they still had holes to adjust the angle and trim as the fine adjustment.

man.....that has to be way way down to bow steer.
i still wonder if the p.o didnt mess somthing up....run into the bow steer and just throw his hands in the air and sell it !

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

sure the transom is not flexing under load?

 

[jyenney]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

I've looked for anything that looked like it had been fixed or welded.... I came up with nothing. I did notice that there was some paint on the botom that did not match the original paint, but no welding marks or dings. Everything seems to be true. I've been using a large straight edge. I lifted the boat off the bunks also.

One thing I did find was that the motor mount bolts are not very tight, I can spin the bolt and nut. I wouldn't venture to say they were wobble loose, but they are not very tight at all, So Maybe this could be my problem. I will go and take it out a couple more times, and try to fix it. If not, She is going down the road.

I would not sell this boat to anybody with this problem. So who knows I might be out a bunch of money. You guys sure are helpful, thankyou so much for your time.

Jy

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

Measure from the center of the prop shaft to each lower corner of the transom.Get it dead centered and tighten those bolts.

 

[oops!]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

. Everything seems to be true. I've been using a large straight edge.

Jy

use a stringline....unless the straight edge is 20 feet you will never see the hook...

just tape a string to the bottom of the hull and look at it....if there is daylight....the hull is hooked

 

[funk6294]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

Couple of things you may want to look at. First disconnect the steering cable from the steering arm on the motor. Then test by try to move the steering wheel. If the wheel is signifigantly easier to move then you need to look at the engine and the steering bracket. If it is still stiff then remove the cable from the steering tube on the engine and try it again, if it is easier then you have an issue with the steering tube, if it is still stiff then you know there is something in the cable.

As for the boat listing while running I would be fixing the prop as mentioned before if for no other reason than its not right. Second if the skeg is bent to the side there is no telling if it is not twisted either. I would look at seeing if someone can repair the skeg. If it is twisted slightly I would think that it would force you to have the motor turned to go straight which would cause a list.

If I had to guess all of your problems surround what ever it was that the PO hit to cause that damage on the bottom of the engine. If you get a chance post up some pics so we can see what you are dealing with.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

^^^^^^^^

Photos would be very helpful. If possible, take some side views and views from the transom.

Sure sounds like bow steer, and a severe case of it.

Your steering cable or helm sounds like its on the way out also. Is there a tight bend (less than 18" radius) anywhere in the cable? Have you determined if there is a tension adjustment on the helm?

With the steering cable disconnected from the motor, can you manually turn the motor full left to full right with relative ease?

Sounds like your motor is mounted at "about" the right height, maybe a little high. Trim tab sounds about right.

The loose mounting bolts could explain the SUDDEN shift in motion from left to right.

When the boat is sitting on the trailer, how far off the bunks is the transom? Is there a large overhang?

 

[jyenney]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

Thankyou everybody for the help. As much as I don't want to admit it, it was operator error. The problem was bow drag. I would have never guessed that the outboard would have to be that far up while running. The boat runs very well now, leans very slightly to the left, but is driveable now. Thankyou again

JY

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: boat leans to the left at a steep angle

Thanks for posting back with the resolution to your problem. Chalk it up as a learning experience that others can learn from as well. All part of being a new boater and we've all been there at one time.