Steering issue

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />I'm new to boating, so I'm not sure if this is a steering problem or if it's normal. In the no wake zone and at slow speed, I notice that I'm constanly having to move the steering wheel left and right alittle bit to keep the boat going straight. Is this normal? At high speed there is no problem. Thanks.

 

[gutshot grouper]

Re: Steering issue

Some craft, by design or by chance are more subject to "hunting" at low speeds than others <br />Yor boat probably does not have much of a keel or deep vee.

 

[stevens]

Re: Steering issue

What you are experiencing is called low-speed wander, which is perfectly normal for planing hulls. Your boat was really made to plane on top of the water, not plow through it.<br /><br />Do a search here on "wander" and you will find this topic has been discussed many times.<br /><br />If your boat has trim tabs, you may find that lowering the trim tabs all the way down will help stabilize and straighten out the ride at low speeds. This will also help you get on plane faster, after which you should be able to retract the trim tabs back to their neutral position.<br /><br />If you'd rather not think about operating trim tabs as well as everything else, there is something called Smart Tabs that regulate themselves based on the boat's speed. Do a search here on i-boats and you will find a lot of posts from satisfied Smart Tabs users. See also the manufacturer's website www.nauticus.inc

 

[Solittle]

Re: Steering issue

You can minimize the wander by only applying small corrections to the helm.