boat leans to the left. HELP!

[logman72]

i just bought my 1st boat, a 1996 17' nitro bass boat with a 75 merc. on it. when i take off...the boat starts to lean to left...real scarry! the weght is distributed fine, so that isnt the problem. if i bring the motor up as i start to move, it helps it some...and i can run it as long as the motor is trimmed up. but if i start lowering the motor to slow down, it starts to lean again. causes the passenger to lean toward me and grab something to hold on to. everything looks fine on the motor, and i am stumped.

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

everything looks even, even the hydrofoil. the is a small rudder looking part (not sure of the name) that is slightly turned a small amount. i can take a pic tomorrow. the skeg looks straight, but has a small tip broke off...what i forgot to mention is the boat worked great the 1st 2 times i took it out, then started the leaning problem the 3rd day. could i have hit and damaged or bent something?

 

[zip34788]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

I had a 1996 Dixie bass boat and encounter similar problems. I learned that I was simply generation too much torque. I went up from a 19 to a 21 prop and the problem went away. If you are over revving the engine at WOT then you most likely have the same issue.

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

i take off slowly and it still does it...the more i speed up, the more it leans, unless i bring the motor up...that helps a little

 

[zip34788]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

Does this motor have a long or short shaft?
In other words is the lower unit too far in the water?

One inexpensive fix may be to invest in a set of adjustable (not hydraulic) trim tabs. Put a little hook on the port side and that may correct the problem.

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

not sure about the shaft. i am new at this. i will post a pic tomorrow and maybe someone can spot the problem.

 

[JBow]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

not sure about the shaft. i am new at this. i will post a pic tomorrow and maybe someone can spot the problem.

It dosent have a bilge or wells with water in it does it?

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

i keep the live wells empty

 

[perchin]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

try it without the hydrofoil.... some boats are better off without them.

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

i am going to take it off...i have been reading on here that other people have had trouble with them. mine seems to be straight and level though.

 

[JBow]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

i just bought my 1st boat, a 1996 17' nitro bass boat with a 75 merc. on it. when i take off...the boat starts to lean to left...real scarry! the weght is distributed fine, so that isnt the problem. if i bring the motor up as i start to move, it helps it some...and i can run it as long as the motor is trimmed up. but if i start lowering the motor to slow down, it starts to lean again. causes the passenger to lean toward me and grab something to hold on to. everything looks fine on the motor, and i am stumped.

What really gets me is it worked fine your first two times out. What could have changed. Has it been setting out where it could have taken on rain water or anything like that? Have you tried raising the bow up high with the plug out of it while its on the trailer? This is just a thought I may be way off base here. But it sounds like its full of water.

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

i tried that. im afraid i did something to it. there was alot of debris in the lake the last time i used it before it started leaning.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

i tried that. im afraid i did something to it. there was alot of debris in the lake the last time i used it before it started leaning.

What does your prop look like? Have a spare?

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

now im really confused! too the hydrofoil off and took it to the water this morning. ran perfect for 15 minutes...then, i started losing power on the holeshot. it took off terrible! then, started leaning to the left again, and if you let go of the steering wheel...it pulls very hard to the right. any thoughts?

 

[puget sounder]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

"sorry fer cuttin in" But I had the same problem. totally differant boat but it was super sensitive to weight balance, evan when it floated level. scared the bejesus outa me. but simply by shifting my kicker motor from port to starbird side it remidied the problem lickady split.The kicker was only a 6 hp about 68lbs on a 17' reinell. Everything was smooth as silk after that

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

the only extra weight i have on the left side is 1 extra battery. what doesnt make since is i have to fight the steering wheel cause it wants to pull to the right though the boat is tipping toward the left!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

Prop slipping on the hub?

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

dont think so...but how could i tell if it is?

 

[bowhuntrrl]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

the only extra weight i have on the left side is 1 extra battery. what doesnt make since is i have to fight the steering wheel cause it wants to pull to the right though the boat is tipping toward the left!

Where is the little "fin" under the cavitation plate adjusted to ??? The reason it is there is to adjust for "pulling" problems like you are describing. It is adjusted to counter the torque from the engine or other factors (weight distribution). If it is pointing to the port side, it will pull to the right. To counter that, adjust it to point toward the starboard side.

 

[logman72]

Re: boat leans to the left. HELP!

it is centered right now...i will try moving it next...im running out of ideas! thanks for the help