steering pulls hard to right worse at fast speed

[h.l hunley]

hey there, I would like to correct this problem ,the boat pulls hard to right at any speed but worse at full throttle 50 to55 mph. I cant take my hand off the wheel for a second it will pull to right. I own a 1983 17' Ebbtide Dynatrak with a 1983 johnson 115 v4 motor. some one told me about adjusting the trim tab just above the prop.If true how is this down, also if adjusting trim tab when told to turn to right or left are you standing at rear of motor.thanks for any info Chris.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: steering pulls hard to right worse at fast speed

If it has a trim tab....(a little fin right behind and above the prop), then you adjust it by loosening a bolt and just turning the tab and retightening the bolt. There is usually some alignment marks on the tab and antiventilation plate that show where it should be. I'm thinking if your prop turns clockwise, the the tab would be turned toward the right when looking at the motor when standing behind the boat to reduce torque steer.
If the fin (trim tab) has a concave side, it should give all the torque steer reduction you need when the alignment marks on the tab are lined up.
I've never worked on a 115, so keep that in mind.
JBJ

 

[F_R]

Re: steering pulls hard to right worse at fast speed

If it has a trim tab....(a little fin right behind and above the prop), then you adjust it by loosening a bolt and just turning the tab and retightening the bolt. There is usually some alignment marks on the tab and antiventilation plate that show where it should be. I'm thinking if your prop turns clockwise, the the tab would be turned toward the right when looking at the motor when standing behind the boat to reduce torque steer.
If the fin (trim tab) has a concave side, it should give all the torque steer reduction you need when the alignment marks on the tab are lined up.
I've never worked on a 115, so keep that in mind.
JBJ

Try the trim tab route, but that probably will have little if any effect. Torque steer is a fact of life to be dealt with. For safety sake, convert to non-feedback or hydraulic steering.

 

[ezeke]

Re: steering pulls hard to right worse at fast speed

No setting of the trim tab will correct 100%, but experimenting will have positive results. Turn the rear of the tab in small increments in the direction that the boat pulls. In your situation, turn the rear of the tab to starboard.

The trim tab has a powerful influence for its size because it deflects the water from the propeller.

 

[iwombat]

Re: steering pulls hard to right worse at fast speed

Also check the height of the motor. If it's too far down in the water you'll get some pretty nasty torque steer. Anti-cav plate should be even with, or slightly above the keel.