Steering issues

[dale monson]

I have a 1965 16 foot starcraft glass boat, with a 1966 johnson golden meteor, electromatic 100 horse, possibly bored out to 125 horse. My questions are:
1. Is this too much motor for the boat?
2. When the boat hits plane speed it pulls extremely hard to the right. There is no adjustments on the motor, top or bottom, to correct this or is there any after market attachments for this?
Please respond ASAP.
Thank you, Dale Monson.

 

[muskrat]

Re: Steering issues

100 hp on a 16ft boat ok.go to nfb steering by teleflex..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering issues

not sure on that motor, but there should be a fin, just above the prop, it has a bolt in the center. loosen bolt, move back of fin the direction the wheel wants to pull. it may take several adjustments to get it right.

 

[turn2]

Re: Steering issues

I had an old boat like that. Does it seem like it will keep pulling until it turns the boat over like it is trying to barrel roll? If so check and see if the motor is square with the hull. I have worked on other boats doing this with tilt and trim and they quit pulling after the boat is trimed up a bit.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Steering issues

The fin Tas is talking about is referred to as a "trim tab"..get it? Made for just the problem you're having. If you can't take out all the yaw with it then you have to look elsewhere for a bigger problem. Like redistribute some weight in the boat to the high side.

One thing about it is that it is trim (engine angle with respect to the boat...fore-aft) sensitive so you need to have the trim (tilt angle if no power trim) set where you boat at WOT and then tweak it.

Mark

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering issues

true.

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering issues

There is no trim tab on any 1966 OMC motors.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Steering issues

There is no trim tab on any 1966 OMC motors.

Well, that explains his problem. Ha! I had a '59 18 hp rude without one although the exhaust and part of the water p/u was back there. Had a '72 125 and it had one.

I remember back in the early days, during and before the 18 I had, there was a friction set screw on the Port side of the swivel bracket that you tightened up so that if you took your hand off the tiller the boat wouldn't take off to the side (caused by the effect of motor/prop torque). It made steering somewhat harder, but served it's purpose.

Mark

 

[tal]

Re: Steering issues

I have the same problem but I have my trim tab adjusted all the way out and it still pulls hard to the right. I have play in my swivel bracket. According to evinrude's part diagram online, there's a bushing somewhere in there and I'm assuming mine is gone/worn. I can also grab the skeg and lift up and I have play where I shouldn't. I'm guessing this is my issue. Don't know about a '66. I have an '85 120hp. Btw, it's on a 15.5' bassboat and it's not too much. It's quick and fun and gets good mpg cause it's barely working.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Steering issues

If my memory serves me well,the 1965 16 footer starcrafts were set up for maximum 85 horse outboards.
My feeling is that that you are over powering specially if it has been bumped up to 125 horse.