low speed handling

[catalanc]

hi folks,
i have a trophy 2052 with a mercruiser 4.3 l water cooled engine. i have a slip on lake union (seattle) and need to do a fair amount of low speed cruising (7 knots). the boat is pretty difficult to handle at this speed - wants to turn and requires constant attention. handles great at speed. anyone else have this problem? is this a prop issue or just a feature of this boat?
just curious how all your trophy's handle!
carlos

 

[joker650]

Re: low speed handling

Yeah my 2352 does that also.
I found that leaving the wheel alone -as in not correcting it- it will wander back and forth but still go in the direction you want.
.....But with the 9.9 kicker it travels straight and true, we can go sit up onthe bow and do absoutly nothing at all..lol

 

[catalanc]

Re: low speed handling

hi joker650,
thanks for the info. i kinda feel like an idiot with the bow moving all over the place. i will try the hands off approach. interesting that this does not happen with your kicker. just out of curiosity, what prop do you have on your main engine? i have a 15x17.
carlos

 

[lyle]

Re: low speed handling

I have a 2359 that used to do exactly what you are talking about ... I attached a $30 "dolefin" otherwise known as a whale tail and this completly eliminated that problem ... improved my gas mileage as well ... you can get them anywhere, they just bolt on to your outdrive in about 10 minutes ... if you can't find them locally , just google "dolefin"

 

[joker650]

Re: low speed handling

I have a 2359 that used to do exactly what you are talking about ... I attached a $30 "dolefin" otherwise known as a whale tail and this completly eliminated that problem ... improved my gas mileage as well ... you can get them anywhere, they just bolt on to your outdrive in about 10 minutes ... if you can't find them locally , just google "dolefin"

This is happening a "No Wake" speed, not up on plane or anywhere near it.
Did the fin fix the prob at these verry low speeds?


My prop is a 14.5 X19
I'm going to try out a faster prop to lower the rpm/ raise the top speed a little, it will go into redline quite easily.At 4800rpm it will do 40mph, so I figure it can handle a taller prop
http://

 

[Dexters dad]

Re: low speed handling

I have the same boat -- see the next post as I would be interested in your input. My boats handling is the same. Steering is very touchy at low speed and for the most part the problem for me seems to be that of over correcting. My wife handles the boat much better than me -- seems to use a lighter touch to steering inputs.

 

[lyle]

Re: low speed handling

yeah ... my problem was at very low speed ... now she's as steady as your hand is

 

[lyle]

Re: low speed handling

here is one of many links

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/c/120003/Hydrofoils.html

 

[throphy07]

Re: low speed handling

This behaviour is quite normal for sterndrive based boats.
To reduce (not eliminate the problem) do the following at low speed:
- trim propeller completely inn (Close to transom)
- If you have trim tabs, adjust fully down.

This will dramatically reduce the boats sideways movements.




Trophy 2052, CMD 1.7l diesel, 2006 mod.

 

[catalanc]

Re: low speed handling

Hey, thanks to everyone for the responses. I had actually noticed that handling is better with the trim in and the tabs down. Glad to see it is accepted practice! I am replacing my current prop and perhaps that will help as well. I am considering a fin, but will wait to see the results of the new prop.
Thanks again to all.
carlos

 

[lyle]

Re: low speed handling

unless the new prop is an impeller it won't help .... trim tabs down all the time hurt gas mileage ... the fin helps gas mileage and works much better ... for $ 25-$35 knowing what I now know ... it's a no brainer