New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

[scates]

Bought a 1987 Renken, 3.0 Mercruiser. Has electric tilt and trim both seem to work. When taking off after getting it to plane out sits cockeyed while running. Steering is tight and seems to pull hard to the left. While running at a good speed if you turn the wheen slightly to the right the boat levels off and doesn't lean left. Any ideas on what the problem might be? New to this stuff so boating lingo isn't up to par...

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

There is a skeg on the outdrive made of zinc that can be adjusted .turn it the way the boat is pulling.Charlie

 

[scates]

Re: New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

Again forgive me for my ignorance but the skeg you are referring to is it just above the propeller a bit shaped like an upside down fin and silver in color?

 

[vipzach]

Re: New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

yes that is what charlie is talking about, other thing would be took look at the skeg below the prop, is it bent. I know mine is slightly bent and my boat pulls to the left a little.

 

[cbcrawford]

Re: New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

Same problem, but am missing this part - cannot find it under skeg on line, is there an actual name, or better yet, part number for a '90 Johnson 100GT.<br /><br />CC

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

Its called a steering trim tab or something like that... are ya sure your steering wheel is on straight? Does your motor have a hydrofoil (Stingray, Doelfin) on it? Those don't work well if they are running underwater at higher speeds.

 

[scates]

Re: New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

Pretty sure the steering wheel is straight. Motor does have a dolefin... I checked the trim tab and it definately looks like it needs to be turned to the left some which is the way the boat leans. Is it supposed to be straight?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

If the steering pulls left, move the tab left.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

Yes the skeg should be straight,however not all boats go straight so the skeg can be adjusted to compensate for this.In small increments,turn the skeg to the same way the boat is straying until it goes straight..Charlie

 

[Gary Sp.]

Re: New Used Boat - Pulling hard to left like riding sideways!!

If all the above fails, check your transom. My boat pulled left because the transom flexed alot and leaked. A new transom fixed the problem.