2004 2359WA Hard top Steering issue,

[Rev Kev]

Guys, Have a 2004 Trophy 2359WA Hardtop, Has a 5.7 Mercruiser Alpha-1 Sterndrive, the issue is while at trolling speed, anything under 5 Knots, the boat does not want hold a straight line, seems like your always correcting the steering input, it is annoying, and other boaters must think were Drunk, as the boat zig zags at a troll, or while transiting no wake zones. Wondering if anyone has a remedy for this. This boat has never been grounded, the Outdrive is not damaged in anyway, and this has been going on since the boat was brand new. Thanks in advance. Kevin

 

[catalanc]

Re: 2004 2359WA Hard top Steering issue,

Rev Kev,
I have a 2006 trophy 2052 with a mercruiser 4.3 L freshwater cooled engine and an alpha 1 outdrive. I have exactly the same problem and posted a similar question previously (you can search the forum for my post and response threads). Bottom line is that it appears that the trophys have a "walk" problem at low speed. I travel through lake union in seattle frequently where the speed limit is 7 kts and yes, i am waiting for the police to stop me for a sobriety test! Anyway, check out the thread and you can see the chatter on this subject. Apparently, the best solution is a "light touch" on the wheel.
Good luck,
carlos

 

[catalanc]

Re: 2004 2359WA Hard top Steering issue,

p.s. it is entitled "low speed handling", last post on 5/11/10.
cec

 

[Rev Kev]

Re: 2004 2359WA Hard top Steering issue,

Thanks for the advice Carlos. Yea transiting the No wake Zones it's bad, but on plane the boat is awesome.

 

[lyle]

Re: 2004 2359WA Hard top Steering issue,

a very simple attachment to the out drive will completly cure this problem ... see this link http://www.wholesalemarine.com/c/120003/Hydrofoils.html
copy the link and paste into your browser or just google dolefin or whaletail ... acts as a stabilizer while improving gas mileage ... take it from me ... this thing works and did the trick for me on my 2359 hardtop and only took 15 minutes to bolt on ... cost is around $ 30

 

[catalanc]

Re: 2004 2359WA Hard top Steering issue,

hey lyle,
what engine and outdrive do you have?

 

[lyle]

Re: 2004 2359WA Hard top Steering issue,

volvo penta with mercruiser out drive, trophy pretty much uses the same set-up with the 2359 from year to year, only difference would be when they went to the alpha impeller somewhere around 2004 ... the dolefin is a 2 piece fin that bolts directly to the cavitation plate above the prop ... uses the prop wash to lift the stern up a little ... result is more stability at low speed, improved hole shot, and much better gas mileage ... even without the benefit of stabilizing, it's worth it just for the improved gas mileage ... this product is made by several manufacturers, each with their own name for the product, but it is essentially the same thing