Sloppy Steering

[ILOVEBEER]

Hey guys, my Sea Ray with an Alpha 1 drive seems to have sloppy steering. With the wheel (read outdrive) in the neutral position the boat will drive straight for a few seconds and then veer right or left. When you correct it will go the other way. I initially thought is was a sloppy steering but the outdrive seems tight. I have seen this "ballet" before and it seems very common in all boats. So what causes it? Can anything be done to stop it? <br /><br />Thanks.

 

[QC]

Re: Sloppy Steering

I love beer too welcome to iboats!!<br /><br />Anyway, yes totally normal on deep V hulls and it is commonly referred to as low speed wander and is caused by bow steer. The bow wants to head off in its own direction as it parts the water.<br /><br />Trim tabs run in the down position is the best remedy I know of and they really do improve the situation. Also, if you make more, smaller corrections instead of fewer, larger ones it will help. You also need to be a little patient as she will react further than you think to your input . . .<br /><br />Do a search in the General Boating section for Smart Tabs and trim tabs and you will pick up a lot of info. Smart Tabs are passive as they adjust upward as your speed increases automatically. Adjustable trim tabs allow for more combinations, but they cost more and are harder to install. Good luck!!

 

[mike456]

Re: Sloppy Steering

I was a first timer last year with a 23 footer and had the same problem. It concerend me until I found another posting last summer where many people had chimed in and confrimed that this is completely normal. With time you'll find that not over steering will make it less noticable. <br />Isn't it nice to know that you don't have a mechanical problem !!!!!

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Sloppy Steering

Look at that- after just one year Mike is an expert. You will be as well. Practice, practice, practice. Learning to finess that wheel is half the battle!

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Sloppy Steering

Your prop turns one way. If you don't counter this with the wheel, you will go around in a circle.<br /><br />There used to be a lot less "torque steer" in the old props with only two fins.<br /><br />The most efficient prop would be a prop with one fin, but they would destroy the gears and the motor.<br /><br />The new Dual props correct torque steer, as do two engines with counter rotating props.

 

[noreneb]

Re: Sloppy Steering

The new Dual props correct torque steer, as do two engines with counter rotating props. [/QB][/quote]<br /><br />Dual props - never heard of such a thing - we also have an oversteer problem at slow speeds and would like to find a way of correcting.<br /><br />thanks Norene

 

[QC]

Re: Sloppy Steering

Norene,<br /><br />See my post above, it will help you.<br /><br />If you don't have a duo-prop drive now (or Bravo 3) the propeller torque cancelling benefits of the duo-prop do not come into play, although that is not really what low-speed wander is anyway

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Re: Sloppy Steering

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[ILOVEBEER]

Re: Sloppy Steering

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad to know it's not just me.<br /><br />A wiser man than I said, the amount of over correction is directly proportional to the number of beers you drink... That's gotta be the problem.<br /><br />