Boat Doesn’t Want To Turn Left

[Sam-P]

First time boater... I just got a 1997 Stratos 268 fishing/ski boat with an Evinrude 130 motor. Took it on the water for the first time and turning left is like drive a way without the key turned, I have to use both hands to get it to turn. Turning right doesn’t give me any problems. It happens at all speeds but not out of the water. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sam-P]

First time boater... I just got a 1997 Stratos 268 fishing/ski boat with an Evinrude 130 motor. Took it on the water for the first time and turning left is like drive a way without the key turned, I have to use both hands to get it to turn. Turning right doesn’t give me any problems. It happens at all speeds but not out of the water. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dwco5051]

Sounds like the trim tab needs adjusted. Here is a video to watch

 

[dwco5051]

First time boater... I just got a 1997 Stratos 268 fishing/ski boat with an Evinrude 130 motor. Took it on the water for the first time and turning left is like drive a way without the key turned, I have to use both hands to get it to turn. Turning right doesn’t give me any problems. It happens at all speeds but not out of the water. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mike_i]

Try dwco5051's suggestion if that doesn't work let us know if it's
cable or hydraulic steering?

 

[Sam-P]

Thank you for the feedback thus far. It has hydraulic steering. I’ll plan on getting it back on the water after this holiday weekend.

 

[QBhoy]

Check the steering is full of oil and not air. Check engine height too. If the engine is too low, it can be hard to over come the effect of prop torque steer, with anything but the best of steering systems like a sea star

 

[Sam-P]

Actually, after doing some more research, I have a rack and pinion steering with a cable, not hydraulic steering. Grrr!

 

[Faztbullet]

Trim it up.....

 

[Stinnett21]

Remove the cable from the motor and see how both the cable and the motor move independent from each other. Try to isolate the problem.

 

[rjwilliams11741]

Before you start removing stuff, try trimming your motor up. Also, if on plane, you take your hands off the wheel and the boat veers right or left adjust the tab.