99 tracker leaning to the left

[jdhgcb]

I recently purchased a 99 tracker 185. took it out for the first time today. I am new to the boating world, I have owned a few small boats in the past all being tiller controlled. while driving, the boat leans (or lists?) to the left rear. also it feels as though I have to fight it to keep it straight. I i let the wheel go, it pulls to the right. Again I am new to this and not sure how to tell if the trim is correct. if I adjust trim as we are going along I can get the bow to drop or raise a little, but I can not tell if I am "on plane" or not. and it does not seem to affect the listing. the motor is a merc 90, and there is one of those fins on the lower unit. the hull appears to be in perfect condition with no dens or obvious damage. any help here would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

IS it listing to one side just sitting still ? or only while running.

 

[5150abf]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

First of all make sure the engine is mounted straight on the boat, if it is cocked to one side or the other it will cause this and if it wants to turn one way or the other at speed there is a small tab on the engine that can be adjusted to correct for the prop.

The prop wants to push the engine in the direction of the rotation and the tab counters that so if you let go of the steering wheel and it turns left you want to move the tab a bit the right and vice versa, you should eventually get to a spot that it will go straight with no steering input.

If it lists even at rest it is a weight issue and you will need to move a battery or something to correct that.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

MH Hawker, it only lists while running. when sitting still it seems perfectly level.

5150abf, this little tab you mentioned, where would I find it and does anyone have a picture I could reference? I checked the by eye and it appears to be dead straight. i will measure next time bring it out of storage.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

MH Hawker, it only lists while running. when sitting still it seems perfectly level.

5150abf, this little tab you mentioned, where would I find it and does anyone have a picture I could reference? I checked the by eye and it appears to be dead straight. i will measure next time bring it out of storage.

Ayuh,... Are ya trimmin' it out,..??

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

as I stated in my original post, I am new to the boating scene. I have adjusted the trim while driving and it does affect how high the bow rides out of the water, but does not seem to affect the list. maybe a better question to begin with, and maybe the solution to the problem would be how to properly adjust the trim while driving to get the boat properly on plane? I realize that to most here this is second nature, although for me it isn't.

so, if one of you could take a second to write down a quick rundown on how and when to adjust trim to get this thing properly on plane i would greatly appreciate it

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

okay so i was doing some reading and I believe I have the trim part understood. trim all the way down when starting to take off and as speed increases raise trim. close? so two questions. should there be a pin in the bracket that allows the motor to trim down only so far? and to relieve the stress on the trim motor when accelerating? also at what point does the trim up stop and the tilt begin? or does the trim button on the accelerator handle only allow it to trim to a certain degree?

 

[5150abf]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

Start with the trim in, closest to the boat, and raise it up as speed increases, once you are at top speed keep bumping it and at some point the engine will start to ventilate, trim it back just a bit and you have it.

Factory trim is generally 2 speeds with the trim being slow and the tilt fast but you will blow out before you get to the tilt part.

Don't know Mercs but there is generally a pin and several holes to put it in on the engine mount, just put it on the lowest one and the tab I was talking about woudl be directly above the prop, there si a bolt in the middle, you need to loosen that and move the tab the right direction to correct it but only if it turns on its own under way, it is like doing an alighnment on your car.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

okay, got it. thanks for the help. I do not have a pin there but I do have the holes for one, so i better find one. next time i get to go out I will adjust the tab and while driving adjust trim as described. hopefully that will solve the listing problem.

thanks again all

 

[Bondo]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

okay, got it. thanks for the help. I do not have a pin there but I do have the holes for one, so i better find one. next time i get to go out I will adjust the tab and while driving adjust trim as described. hopefully that will solve the listing problem.

thanks again all

Ayuh,... You have hyd. trim, ya don't really need the pin...

The Hyd.s are strong enough to take the thrust of yer motor...

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

so I have read that i do need the pin and that the hydraulics are strong enough and don't need the pin. I like better safe than sorry, so............

thanks again for everyone's help on this issue. I always believe that the best way to learn is to ask someone who knows.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left



so here is a picture of my motor. Where exactly is the trim tab? i searched and found what is called an anode but the ones I was seeing looked like a small fin. there is not one of those here to be adjusted. any more help?

 

[Fed]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

Here you go.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

ah thank you Fed! That is very helpful. I believe that the two issues are related (both the listing and hard left steering). hopefully this adjustment will solve both.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

Get rid of the whale tail you have on the lower unit. It doesn't help and probably slows you down. Other may differ in their opinion, but I believe they are worthless. That may even fix your problem.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

so what is the purpose of the "whale tail"?

 

[Fed]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

Your steering problem will be the trim tab adjustment or your tilt & trim position.

Your leaning problem will be prop related.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

so what is the purpose of the "whale tail"?

They are sold with the idea that it will help get on plane faster and better. While it may be okay for some motors, truth is it creates big drag and really stresses the transom (and other things) without doing a whole lot for performance. As well, since it creates drag, your mileage will suffer.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

well this IS a fishing boat, and I don't plan on towing anyone so the less drag and resistance the better in my opinion. we will leave the whale tails for the chubby chicks(look it up). thanks everyone. I assume a little adjustment on the tab is all I need, a little probably makes a big difference. so i will take tools to the lake next trip.

 

[ozenine]

Re: 99 tracker leaning to the left

Your motor is similar to mine. They come with or without power tilt/trim. The holes are for the ones without the power TT, so you can adjust it. Mine came without the pin, but with the holes. On another note, mine is also harder to steer to the right (or left, do not remember - you can tell I did not open the season yet)