Steering issues.... Enterprise tri-hull

[thumperfbc]

Hi All,

You guys helped me out last year with what turned out to be a bad impeller. Thanks for that! I have another issue that I want to track down now...

I have a mid 70's Enterprise tri-hull. It's got a v8 in it and a Penta 270 outdrive.

Now, the problem comes with steering at or near full speed. It seems really unstable. I'll be moving along pretty well when suddenly the boat decides to shoot of one direction or the other... Not fun the first time it happened!

It doesn't seem to do it at slower speeds, though, there is something out of adjustment as well because if the steering wheel is straight, I'll veer to the right.

Also, there is play in the outdrive if I shake it by hand. See the video below. Also, while shaking the outdrive as shown, there is NO movement in the steering wheel.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v239/thumperfbc/?action=view&current=Outdriveshake.mp4

Anyways, where do I start? Any ideas what is causing this?

Here come the pictures!

 

[thumperfbc]

Re: Steering issues.... Enterprise tri-hull

 

[thumperfbc]

Re: Steering issues.... Enterprise tri-hull

One thing I thought of are the "Step & Trim" tabs on the transom... they are set at different levels... I think somebody may have used one as a step and shifted it some. Could that cause some issues?

 

[thumperfbc]

Re: Steering issues.... Enterprise tri-hull

To the top, please.

 

[thumperfbc]

Re: Steering issues.... Enterprise tri-hull

Any thoughts? Advice? Snide remarks?

 

[swihartart]

Re: Steering issues.... Enterprise tri-hull

OK I'll bite...

I have a tri-hull also. My hull, 1977 Starcraft, has steeper angles to the sides (chines?), they are vertical on the outsides and seem to have a sharper cutting edge than yours. I've read that a tri-hull can be a little squirrelly at high speeds.

I don't run WOT and attempt sharp turns. (don't forget your lanyard)

They are great at being VERY stable at rest for fishing etc. but under way don't like waves, heavy chop and sharp turns at high speed.

The trim tabs look a little out of whack and I don't think my drive moves nearly that much if I push on it. Your drive could be bouncing back and forth at high speed causing the steering issue.

One more thing...your transom looks pretty rotten...go fast with your drive shaking and darting in different directions putting lots of side pressures and I'm afraid you may make a hole in your transom bigger than you can deal with on the water.

Besides, you say you have a V8 in there...how fast is top speed?
I'm thinking waaaaaaay faster than that hull wants to deal with at WOT.

(don't forget your lanyard)
Not trying to scare you but look in you tube for bass boat wreck and you'll see exactly why you need it hooked up...saved the dude's life.

 

[thumperfbc]

Re: Steering issues.... Enterprise tri-hull

Thanks for the reply, it is appreciated!

You touch on a point I've thought about but haven't addressed yet... There is no kill switch on the boat... no man overboard lanyard. That needs to be done. Is it simple matter of tapping into the ignition wiring at the console?

I straightened out the trim tabs a few days ago and we took it out for some light tubing on the lake Tuesday. It did great. No more darting in weird directions. There is still some play in the out-drive, but it seems 100% better. I am amazed at what a small adjustment can do.

It still seems a little weird turning and such, but this is the only boat I've ever driven, so I don't have anything at all to compare it to. I guess I don't really know how a boat should respond and maybe I am expecting too much 'car-like' feeling out of it?

And finally, top speed... I'm not sure. No speedo on the boat and I don't know how much I trust my guesstimate... Maybe 30mph? That brings me to another concern... The tachometer... At WOT it never seems to get above 1300 or so. I don't know if it's acting up or if I have an issue some where. I know prop choice can affect RPMs, and there are two other props on the boat. I don't know the difference between them all though, or how to change them.

I do suspect, though, that he gauges might not be working properly. The gas gauge (two different tanks) is always topped out even though the tanks are not. The voltmeter never gets above 11.5ish despite contrary readings from my multimeter, and oil pressure seems to be always pegged too. The water temp, though seems to be doing ok.

It seems like I have an overall gauge malfunction, but I'm not sure what could cause it.

There is also 2 switches on the console that I don't really know their function. I suspect one of them has something to do with a battery isolator/solenoid between the starting and trolling batteries, but I don't know it's operation. The other? No clue....