Re: Listing to the left
jd - Smith<br /><br />A list to the port side on a single engine boat is most likely caused by the torq of the motor (torq list). When the motor rotates in one direction (clockwise) the boat wants to rotate to the opposite direction (counter clockwise).<br /><br />This is also why most helms are set to the starboard (right) so as to counter balance the list.<br /><br />There are some things that can exaggerate the list, such as agressive props and hydrofoils.<br />The props with an agressive cup will create more torque and increase the list.<br /><br />Hydrofoils will increase the stern lift and concentrate this lift in the center of the boat (since it is attached to the motor) which reduces the stability port to starboard like a teeter totter. Lifting the boat from the center is not advisable. Secondly, hydrofoils provide increasingly more liftas the speed of the boat increases, which creates excessive stern lift and bow pressure when cruising. With the extra bow pressure the boat will have a tendency to bow steer" and exagerate the torq list.<br /><br />As others have said, find the problem first, then determine the solution. If the motor is mounted correctly ( height should place the cavitation plate at the same level as the bottom of the boat - bottom edge of the keel if it is a V design) plus or minus 1". If you have a hydrofoil on the motor, remove it and see if the problem is eliminated or minimized. <br /><br />If all of the above is OK, then the list is likely a simple torq list, and can be corrected by trim tabs. Given that the list increases and decreases with speed, i would agree with others that manualy controled tabs could be somewhat of a nuisance if they need constant adjustment. <br /><br />Smart Tabs are a self adjusting trim tabs system that requires no driver control. The system reacts to the water pressure when underway. It is constantly active. They are adjustable upon installation and can be set to correct a torq list or any permanent list.
