Steering VERY hard to turn right

[bowler]

Hi all,

I had posted previously about my boat steering being very hard to turn to the right. The trim tab had been cut off to accomodate a bigger prop. I have since replaced the trim tab with one that will allow bigger prop and it has had little to no effect. At WOT the steering is really hard to right but could turn with one finger to the left. Any ideas or is this just the way it's going to be. I can't imagine that the boat was intended to be that hard to drive. It is a 96 merc 3lx with alpha 1 - no power steering.

Thanks in advance,

Darren.

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Sounds like tork steering. Had the same problem with my previous boat. on the outdrive there was a trim tab or fin to counter this issue. there were small degree indicators for 3-5-7 etc... took only a couple of times to find the sweet spot where steering was easyier to control.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

The trim tab had been cut off to accomodate a bigger prop.

Ayuh,... Odds are, That Prop is the Problem,.... Try a different 1...

 

[bowler]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Thanks guys. Something else to buy!

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Im sorry I overlooked that the trim tab was cut off. do you still have the old prop? re-install it then start adjusting the replacement trim tab. good luck.:redface:

 

[bowler]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

sadly not. the prop came with the boat and the original is long gone! any ideas on what size i should look at?

Darren.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

any ideas on what size i should look at?

one that allows you to reach the high side of your wot spec. with your normal load...
the prop you have will lead you in the direction of which way you need to go...

 

[bowler]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Fair enough,

I guess I'll live with it for the time being. The previous owner put on the bigger prop as he used the boat for wakeboarding mostly which is what I pan to do with it mostly when the better weather kicks in (better in Ireland means no ice...). I've yet to be towed behind it but I'd imagine the hole shot would be improved due to the bigger prop. Maybe a different prop through time and I could switch as necessary.

Cheers guys,

Darren.

 

[robjen1019]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Put the tab back on. Then turn the prop to figure out how much you need to remove. Take it off and grind down to you markings. Put it back on and do your adjustments.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Make sure that you are turning the trim tab in the correct direction...the TRAILING edge of the tab goes towards the direction that the boat wants to go with the wheel straight: in your case you are wandering left (port), so the back (trailing) edge of the trim tab goes to the left.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Put the tab back on. Then turn the prop to figure out how much you need to remove. Take it off and grind down to you markings. Put it back on and do your adjustments.

that is the proper method of adjusting. if memory serves me, that statement even shows up in s/m #6... the grinding it off part...

that's how mine turned out after the grind job..

 

[robjen1019]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Great picture, picture is worth a 1000 words. Do it that way.

 

[bowler]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Make sure that you are turning the trim tab in the correct direction...the TRAILING edge of the tab goes towards the direction that the boat wants to go with the wheel straight: in your case you are wandering left (port), so the back (trailing) edge of the trim tab goes to the left.

Ok, I have this sneaking suspicion that I have the tab on the wrong way but can't check until the weekend. Think i may have misread a previous post and turned the whole tab portside (hence the trailing edge is now pointing the wrong way?!?!?) Feel my shame!!!

No need for grinding the replacement tab as it does fit with the bigger prop but thanks for all the contributions. I have now decided to adopt a signature for further posts that sums up my experiences so far with my new pride and joy!

 

[bowler]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Sig will not display?!? I assume it takes a while...

 

[semo549]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

I also did a grind job as I put a bigger prop on. Works out fine.

 

[bowler]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

does you boat have power steering, i assume not as you have the trim tab? did the prop cause any problems with prop torque/hard steering once the trim tab was set?

darren.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

i have torque steer. and once the tab is set, things are pretty good.

do keep in mind that when you adj. the tab. it's good for whatever speed and trim and load your carrying. any other condition, and the torque steer can come back. likely not as pronounced, but it's still there.. nature of the beast i think. i don't have power steering...

 

[frank246]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

Im dealing with the same torque issue and use a torque tab on the skeg of my o/d. The torque also depends on the prop your running and trim angle.
Might want to try out or step up to hydraulics, mount it on the port side in your case.
Good luck!

 

[bowler]

Re: Steering VERY hard to turn right

i've looked into adding both power steering and hydraulics but at the minute both are too expensive. I'll play with the tab and see what happens.

a pleasure as always gents!