BOAT "WANDERS"

[VMAX]

HI ALL,<br />I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT BOAT HANDLING AT LOW SPEEDS.<br />MY BOAT IS AN '86 4 WINNS 170 HORIZON, WITH 3.0<br />ENGINE.<br />WHEN I'M DRIVING " NORMALLY" ON PLANE, IT HANDLES REALLY WELL- I HOLD THE WHEEL STILL, AND THE BOAT GOES STRAIGHT, BUT IF I'M TRYING TO DRIVE AT ABOUT 10 TO 15 MPH AT NIGHT, IT WILL STEER TO THE RIGHT,WHEN I TURN LEFT TO GO STRAIGHT, IT WILL EVENTUALLY HEAD LEFT, THEN I HAVE TO STEER RIGHT, ETC.<br />I CAN'T JUST HOLD THE WHEEL AND GO STRAIGHT, IT JUST KEEPS OVER-CORRECTING ITSELF- RIGHT, LEFT,RIGHT,LEFT, ETC.<br />IS THIS A PHENOMINON THAT ANY OF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED BEFORE?<br />IS IT BECAUSE I'M NOT ON PLANE?<br />I'M PLANNING ON INSTALLING A DOEL FIN THIS WEEKEND TO HELP PLANE AT LOWER SPEEDS- I HAVE TO GO ABOUT 20 NOW.<br />ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.<br />JOHN

 

[Spidybot]

Re: BOAT "WANDERS"

Yes, it is about running the speed that your hull was designed for. Good idea to help it plane at lower speed as this will allow you to both enjoy the best mpg and the better handling.<br /><br />At speeds 1-5 miles it will wander even worse.<br /><br />When you go at speeds with the bow high, you can imagine how much force (fuel) it takes to hold the boat in that position. Get it on plane and reduce throttle until it planes clear & safe.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: BOAT "WANDERS"

If you have a deep V hull, the low speed wander is just the nature of the beast. Don't correct the steering so much and you may find that the boat will zig-zag in a more or less straight line. (Is that an oxymoron?)<br />The Doel Fin gets mixed reviews, but we had one for trick skiing years ago and it lowered our planing speed about 4-5 mph. Worked good for us.<br /><br />Charles