Boat oscillates left and right

[DSBarnhart]

At slow speeds my 2003 Glastron 17' fish & ski oscilates to the left and then to to right about 30 degrees. It will do this as long as I'm moving slow. The boat has a 4.0 I/O Mercruser with a stainless steel 14 inch Dia. 19 pitch prop.
The outdrive does not move and the steering wheel does no move, the boat just does it. It will complete a full oscillation in about 40 feet(left, right and back full left again). The trim seems to have no effect on it.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Boat oscillates left and right

It's called Prop Walk. Just about any single prop outdrive does it to some extent. If you have trim-tabs putting them full down will help. Otherwise just use a touch of counter-steer as needed to keep a straight course.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Boat oscillates left and right

At low speeds with the full hull in the water, most boats will wander, some do it more then others.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat oscillates left and right

Ayuh,... It's pretty Normal...

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Boat oscillates left and right

Normal-
I find the more beer i drink the straighter it tracks - go figure

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Boat oscillates left and right

My Glastron does that too...at cruise requires a fair bit more attention then one would think....which can be bothersome when I am solo trolling. Funny my little 14' never had that problem with the outboard.


Ian

 

[MikDee]

Re: Boat oscillates left and right

The deepest part of my 2 older SeaRays hull, a 20', & a 24', was in the middle of the boat, the Vee actually flattened out some at the transom, at low speeds they really wandered, like a turtle on it's back, but trimmed up on plane they really moved out!

 

[jkust]

Re: Boat oscillates left and right

My 4.3 liter Bowrider has a little of this and it is normal. My outboard bowrider does not do it at all. Didn't know there was such a thing until I bought my I/O. Both are traditional V hulls. Do you have a 3.0 or a 4.3 liter?
If it is a 4.3, your boat must really go.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Boat oscillates left and right

V-hull with an I/O - it is the nature of the beast. As mentioned above, with a little practice you will learn to compensate.