outboard not centered

[lingcod]

i have an 1981 20' trophy hardtop. while measuring to build a motor well I noticed that the outboard is not centered. it is appproximatly 1 3/4 inches to the starboard side. I have owned this boat for 3 years didn't notice til now. have noticed that the boat is very susceptable to listing to starboard side so everyone must sit on port side. is the motor the cause of my listing? what else could this hurt if I leave motor where it is? lingcod

 

[rwidman]

Re: outboard not centered

I believe I would move it if it were my boat.

 

[lingcod]

Re: outboard not centered

there are 4 holes that have been epoxied over where the motor used to be. I cant see any reason why someone would move it over that far.

 

[jtexas]

Re: outboard not centered

Originally posted by lingcodjamie:<br /> I cant see any reason why someone would move it over that far.

And yet, there must be a reason. Am I right?<br /><br />Just "how used" was this boat when you bought it? How closely did you examine the transom? Maybe did they have a kicker, and move the big outboard to offset the weight? That should be ok. But maybe it was something else?<br /><br />I'd do a little more investigating before I made the change, just for peace of mind.

 

[lingcod]

Re: outboard not centered

the boat had kicker motor bracket on it but I dont see any reason to move the main motor. this is a very heavy boat.20 foot hardtop with cuddy. the kicker shouldn't make that much difference. the transom looks fine, no rot. they had epoxied the holes. only 2 are visable the other 2 are under the motor bracket. one thing i am going to check is the steering cable length. seems to me that there is very little extra length available. hope they didn't move the motor to accomidate the short cable length.

 

[Barlow]

Re: outboard not centered

you're probably experiencing some turning ratio differences also. .. <br /><br />look at it closer and check around some more see if there are any guys in the area with the same/similar set up and ask.. <br /><br />good luck with it

 

[rwidman]

Re: outboard not centered

I would expect handling problems if the source of power isn't centered on the boat. One of the problems with buying a used boat, especially an older one that might have had several owners is that it's impossible to know what has been done to it, why, and with what degree of expertise and skill. <br /><br />I would put the motor back in the center and replace any cables that don't fit with ones that do.

 

[lingcod]

Re: outboard not centered

im headed to neah bay in 2 weeks. there is a guy over there every year that has the same boat. only one I've ever seen. I checked the cables. should have enough to move motor back. guess I got a nice weekend project. thanks for all the advice guys.<br />lingcod

 

[chuckz]

Re: outboard not centered

Did the boat run in a straight line at speed? The only reason I can think of to offset the engine is to compensate for torque steering.

 

[jtexas]

Re: outboard not centered

Okay, who's the joker on iboats that advised this poor sap to move his motor because the steering cables were too short? <br /><br />Or search for this thread: "How Do I Fix a Torque Steer Problem?" <br />"Don't waste your money on with torque tabs or anything, just move the motor." LMAO at that one, too.<br /><br />wait, I got it...did you ever see the guy's wife? maybe she was a big gal who liked to sit on the port side...or maybe the guy was prone to falling asleep at the wheel, and afraid of waking up in the Sea of Japan.<br /><br />Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[lingcod]

Re: outboard not centered

ya the boat runs straight at speed. but its got the no feedback steering on it. the boat tracks horrible in no wake zones. I'm going to wait til my new nissan kicker gets here to find out if there is a clearance issue. jtexas- i did not see his wife but you could be right, he was a big guy. could you imagine working in the garage moving your motor over when the wife comes out to see what your doing and asks why. how do ya break it to her softly.<br /><br />lingcod

 

[rwidman]

Re: outboard not centered

the boat tracks horrible in no wake zones.

Most semi V boats are like that, it comes up time after time in the forums.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: outboard not centered

The motor should be centered on the running surface, not necissairly in the center of the transom.

 

[rwidman]

Re: outboard not centered

Originally posted by Dhadley:<br /> The motor should be centered on the running surface, not necissairly in the center of the transom.

Wouldn't that also be the center of the transom?<br /><br />I would take several measurements including diagonal to find the center.

 

[lingcod]

Re: outboard not centered

upon further investigation and closer looking, when i trim the motor all the way in. the motor is 1 3/4 inches starboard of the center of the keel at the stern. I can turn on a dime to the right but don't think I could turn around in seahawks stadium going to the left. I ordered a new 8 horse nissan from cabelas. should be here in a week and a half.I'm not going to do anything with the main motor until I see if I have a clearance issue with the kicker.<br /><br />lingcod

 

[rwidman]

Re: outboard not centered

The motor could be tilted rather than being off center. I would remove it and measure the mounting holes. Moving (or leaving) the motor off center to accomodate a "kicker" is not a good idea. Your boat is not handling correctly and that is an unsafe condition.

 

[lingcod]

Re: outboard not centered

I agree that it does not handle right. the motor is straight and level on the transom. I'm gonna have to move it. thanks guys<br /><br />lingcod

 

[lingcod]

Re: outboard not centered

after all the headache and worry over this. I have figured it out. the motor is offset to compensate for the kicker motors weight. this weekend I took off the hydrofoil and ran out into the sound. no listing or any other problems. boat got on plane just fine. ran the same 35mph. I know i should have it centered but if I dont, will it hurt anything? I do have room to move it but it will be tight with the kicker.<br /><br />lingcod