Boston Whaler Montauk Leaning Left

[LionStone]

Not too long ago, I purchased a 1986 17' Whaler, converted from Sport design to Montauk design. Only issue is sometimes the boat seems to lean to the left. Storage and fuel tanks are balanced. Engine adjustments seem okay, and I even have a hydrofoil stabilizer on the back. Could I possibly have water anywhere in the hull? Not real familiar with hull design except for understanding it is unsinkable and full foam in "most" places?

 

[gr8rg8r]

Re: Boston Whaler Montauk Leaning Left

Lion,<br /><br />Turn the little trim tab just in front of the skeg a little bit counter-clockwise and then try it again. You may have to play with the tab a little to get it so it doesn't pull. But, unless you have a no-feedback-system it will probably pull a little.<br /><br />Richard

 

[LionStone]

Re: Boston Whaler Montauk Leaning Left

Thanks Richard- I did do that before I sent the inquiry. I will probably adjust it some more, since I have once since I've had it. The first time it leaned, I thought it was the extra fuel tank I installed (which balances it out), but sometimes it still tilts an uncomfortable amount to the left. Am I correct in assuming that there is no significant bilge to fill in a Whaler because it is virtually full of foam?

 

[DJ]

Re: Boston Whaler Montauk Leaning Left

Lion,<br /><br />Don't discount that stabilizer causing the problem. They can do that, especially if the engine is set low.

 

[cp]

Re: Boston Whaler Montauk Leaning Left

It's not clear to me from your post whether

...sometimes the boat seems to lean to the left.

occurs only when you are underway, or also when at rest. If only underway, then IMHO you just have a motor torque lean that you'll correct by adjusting the little tab on your motor. If at rest then it'd seem to be a load distribution issue since it doesn't seem likely that the boat would "sometimes" choose to list on its own.<br /><br />You're correct about a Montauk having no bilge, so your "sometimes" list can't be attributed to water sloshing from one side to the other. If the boat's hull has been damaged, or a fitting leaks, you may have water between the hull and foam, but it's not likely IMHO that this water can move about very freely. Suggest you figure out what's common to the list occurring, i.e. does it always occur at a given speed or something like that? Doing so may lead you to the cause. Good luck.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Boston Whaler Montauk Leaning Left

Lionstone;<br /><br />It is most likely that the hydrofoil is lifting the stern too much when you are cruising. This causes excessive bow pressure (down)and the boat will bow steer. The extra lift will also exagerate the potential for a torq list (to the port side).<br /><br />Although the Hydrofoil will help the boat plane a bit easier, they are anything but stabilizers. <br /><br />You never want to lift the boat from the center, it will create a teeter totter effect.<br /><br />Take it off and check. The look at trim tabs or Smart Tabs on this site (search).