Boat leaning to the left!

[bdirect]

Re: Boat leaning to the left!

Trog<br /><br />I also have a deep v small beam. When I get into a diagonal sea running hard torque will wnat to push the boat of course. By adjusting my trim tabs i can elimintae this effect. i can also level the boat using my trim tabs if I have uneven weight distrbution. I will say this though I have "BIG TABS" and believe if they were not as big as they are I would not have the ability to trim the boat the way i do.<br /><br />I also refer back to my earlier post that this may not be engine or trim but could be (hopefully not) a stringer or transom twist issue that will cause the same symptoms.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Boat leaning to the left!

Is the motor properly centered on the transom? Are the transom and stringers bone solid? Even a boat that appears straight to the eye can have a hook put into it by the torque of the motor if the boat isn't solid.<br /> <br />I'd hate to see you spending money on a band-aid solution when the problem could be a simple fix or could point to something deeper. It's unlikely that the boat hull was designed to run like this, so I would make absolutely sure you don't have other problems before you add tabs or the like...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[trog100]

Re: Boat leaning to the left!

yes.. Adjusting the trim fin..by williamettejeff.. b.gagnon called it the "The tab" in reply.. i think.. <br /><br />"I tried the tab with no luck!!!<br />The tab on this motor has very limited movement and did not help much."<br /><br />i should have called it the trim "fin" when i replyed which is what i meant when i said it would not correct exessive torque list.. <br /><br />and bdirect this is partly (mostly to some) what trim tabs are about and why i said smart tabs wouldnt do the job of correcting unwanted list.. cos u cant move em up and down independantly relative to each other..<br /><br />however its been pointed out that smart tabs can be set up when u fit them so as to alter list.. but not on the fly as and when u want to..<br /><br />and yes the trim fin does sometimes work as regards correcting a small amount of list as well as directional veer-off.. but its main job is to keep the boat tracking straight..<br /><br />if u have real and especially variable list.. independantly adjustable trim tabs are the only answer..<br /><br />my shallow vee hull dosnt list or veer off course much under engine torgue.. but my boat isnt exactly over-powered for its size and weight.. 3.0L 140 hp 20 foot I/O boat at about 4000lbs.. if i were to put 300 horse power in it i am sure it would.. he he <br /><br />trog

 

[bdirect]

Re: Boat leaning to the left!

Trog<br /><br />My apologies I did think he was trying to adjust with trim tabs. I have not used smart tabs but have heard they have some limitations for correction of list and torque.<br /><br />I just re-read the threads and I do not see if anyone questioned when this started. Did he just get the boat? Has he had the boat for some time? Was it ever correct to begin with? If this started after he has had the boat I am really inclined to believe he has a serious transom or stringer problem. If he just got the boat maybe the previous owner new there were serious problems and did not care to share that with him but at any rate I believe it is time he look at transom and stringers to make sure they are sound before spending money to hide a more serious problem.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Boat leaning to the left!

Hi All...<br /><br />I haven't posted again...but I've sure been reading all this...I thank you all for the input. (I'm the guy above who also has a list to Port similiar to what b.gagnon described...)<br /><br />A question: What is meant by a "hook" in the hull??? And; how do I tell if I have one? Anyone have a picture of a hull with a hook in it?<br /><br />My boat sat un-used on a trailer for 25 some years...maybe the hull is warped? It sure looks OK...<br /><br />My list seems to diminish as speed increases and the boat gets on plane...it also diminished if someone sits way up front (mine's an open bow tri-hull...)<br /><br />Fascinating thread...thanks again guys...<br /><br />Chuck

 

[QC]

Re: Boat leaning to the left!

SeaKaye,<br /><br />A hook is a flaw in the hull that makes it concave where it should be flat. The way to check is to take a reasonably long straight edge and place it on the bottom (parallel to the direction of travel) barely sticking out from the transom. If there is space between the straight edge and the bottom then there is hook. If the straight edge rocks back and forth and will not stay firmly in place then you have the opposite - rocker. If the hull has rocker then it usually will porpoise, if there is a hook the bow will usually be driven too deeply into the water at higher speeds. Sometimes a slight hook right at the transom is on purpose . . .<br /><br /> http://www.bassboatcentral.com/bbcdictionary.htm

 

[nothreat]

Re: Boat leaning to the left!

When I was a boy my dad bought and old 17' Sea Ray. When it was on plane, it would steer to the left like yours. Dad tried all kinds of trim changes, etc. but could correct it. Finally found out that it had bee trailered wrong for years and had developed a warp/hook in the hull. We flipped it over and he laid fiberglass in the hooked area to fill it in. Never was perfect, but under 35 MPH the hook was no longer noticeable.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Boat leaning to the left!

If you have a hull issuem then it is advisable to correct the problem by fixing the problem.<br /><br />With regard to using Smart Tabs to correct a permanent list, unless it is radical then they will provide good results. Once the tabs are set to correct the list, the list is then gone at any speed.

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Boat leaning to the left!

This is interesting stuff...I always just thought my wife was too fat and blamed her for making us lean left. I don't think it will help me much if I bring the subject up again with her now that you guys have educated me on this matter.<br /><br />