Steering whip around question?

[Expidia]

Thinking back over several times last Summer, I've had the boat whip around quite severely when I lost my grip on the wheel while accelerating.

I've been alone most of the time when this happened. Usually when taking off in choppy waters.

But since it has happened several times it worries me that someone could have been tossed out of the boat or even me when this happened!

I've had it happen too when hitting a decent wave which caught me off guard while cruising along and I was not gripping the wheel tight enough.

I know most would respond back "just slow down". It's only a 40 hp 4 stroke (max for this boat). It still has the power to do create this hazard as it's on a light aluminum 14-15 foot rig.

There have been times where I had to gun it to get out of harms way and if I don't grip the wheel tight enough (boat does track straight at all speeds) But if the chop is just right and if it goes just over a certain speed it can be just fast enough to spin the whole rig into a 180 in 1 second

This worries me since it's happened to me I'd say 4-6 times, but worse is that it could happen while someone else is driving too.

Just doesn't seem right to me that it could do this.

I'd hate to tighten down the steering friction (if that's even possible) as this would make it more dangerous in an emergency situation.

Is there any type of device that could be added to the steering setup to give it some type of dampening effect.

I figured I could order it now if there was and install it at the beginning of next season.

Any ideas?

Thx

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Steering whip around question?

If i were you I would first check the sacrificial anode directly above the prop it is directoinal (can be adjusted) from one side to the other to counter act prop torque. or if you really want to spend some dough buy a power steering system.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering whip around question?

move the trim tab, if the wheel is pulling right, move the back of the trim tab to the right. it will take several time to get it right. it should not pull either direction. get it as close as you can, experiment.

 

[oops!]

Re: Steering whip around question?

you might also want to hook up a lanyard !!!! if there is that much worry about whiping around.....make it safe if it happens

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Steering whip around question?

How about NFB (no feedback) steering? I haven't used one, but bought a NFB steering system for my project as I didn't want to deal with torque steer anymore. It sounds like it might resolve your problem as when you're not steering the helm is locked, then when you turn the wheel it unlocks a clutch allowing you to steer.

Slowing down might solve your problem also, part of learning your boat, how it handles and what you can do with it. Each boat I've owned has had it's own characteristics and things it didn't like doing,,, or made it known that you shouldn't be doing,,, what you are doing. I borrowed my buddies 12' Lund and 25HP outboard once, flatout hauling azz and caught the wake from another boat caused the boat to make an immediate 90* turn I learned quick that, that boat couldn't cross a wake at full speed...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering whip around question?

no feedback, masks the problem, does not fix it. that is what the trim tab is meant to do. loosen the bolt in the center, and adjust.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Steering whip around question?

(boat does track straight at all speeds)

But the OP said the boat tracks straight...

In reading his post I took it that he was having problems only in rough conditions and loosing control of the steering wheel.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering whip around question?

it tracks straight when he is holding the wheel. i have my boat adjusted to the point, that i can turn the wheel loose, and it will not torque steer.

Quote" I've had the boat whip around quite severely when I lost my grip on the wheel while accelerating."

 

[Expidia]

Re: Steering whip around question?

Thanks for the responses so far.

I've adjusted that little skeg already during the Summer. That's for the steering tracking and due to how small it is I doubt it would help this whipping effect. It would only cause it to not track straight any more would be my guess.

The no feedback steering was not available with my model at the time of purchase. I figured that feature was so one does not feel the kick of the waves or vibration through the steering systems.

If it masks the problem that's not good, but if it works like the other poster said where it has a clutch like effect that might work.

Anyone had any success with no feedback or will it just mask the issue as Tash has said. Probably a lot cheaper than adding power steering.
It's not a bow riding to low in the water issue since the weight of the 4 stroke keeps the bow up.

Trimming seems like it would have solved this issue. It may be that the 40 hp is so powerful for the weight of this setup and it jumps on planes in only a few feet. The outboard is usually trimmed in when I take off.
From what I recall when it happens I don't think there absolutely has to be a chop present.

It's more of a steering wheel issue that when it's not gripped tight enough on take off it can forcefully spin quickly to one side causing the boat to whip around.

I'm well aware of the boat and outboards characteristics, since I've put about 300 hours on it over the past two seasons. Yet, it does not take all that much speed to slip into the 180. But like I said, I also worry if someone else is driving like my kids who are adults. It should not whip around like this for anyone.

Has anyone else experienced this. I'm keeping this boat and looking for a 2nd one. A 21 foot aluminum that I want to mount a 200 hp Verado on it (I think the max rating is 225) and I'll be seated higher up. I'd hate to see this issue happen with a 200 on it.

BTW: that picture in my avatar above is not actually what the rig looks like length wise. It was shrunk to fit and it is not that squatty looking length-wise. By that pic it looks like the 40 hp would be too much power.

The Lund hulls actually handle like a bigger boat. I think my issue is more of a steering issue where the linkage has to be dampened somehow.

It could also be an issue where I raised the outboard up two holes last season which eliminated the spray (thats why I also adjusted the steering skeg a few times because that changed the tracking a little). It's still within the specs of the manual, but I might need to go back down one hole at the start of next season.

The dealer had the cavitation plate too low below the bottom edge of the boat causing much spray the first season. But maybe two holes up might have been too much and is the cause of this sudden whip around issue.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Steering whip around question?

Not to hijack the thread but a question. Mine steers hard to the left but easy to the right at higher speeds.
Why does the steering tab only have adjustment to the right?
Adjusting it left i can just barely get a couple of degrees left of center.
Is it possible my steering tab came off of a counter rotating motor?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering whip around question?

when you gun the motor nothing is going to stop the engine torque, except holding the wheel, you have the torque of the prob, and the flywheel & crankshaft.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Steering whip around question?

when you gun the motor nothing is going to stop the engine torque, except holding the wheel, you have the torque of the prob, and the flywheel & crankshaft.

My issue is not as much as gunning the outboard . . . it's once it's up to cruising speed around 25 mph it does not take much to lessen my grip and have the boat whip around 45 to 180 degrees. I think it does this more when there is a chop or I catch a small wave right at the wrong time.

 

[DJ]

Re: Steering whip around question?

1. I assume this is the Lund in your tag line????

2. The engine trim tab works both ways, right and left. The adjustment to the left is somewhat limited.

3. Make sure your steering is tight-NO LOOSE components.
a. Check the connections on both ends, especially at the steering head.


4. Make sure your engine is actually mounted PERFECTLY perpendicular to the transom. They do get mounted crooked sometimes. Even a little bit off will cause handling problems. The same applies to the measurement: right to left. It's called the "X" dimension.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Steering whip around question?

once it's up to cruising speed around 25 mph it does not take much to lessen my grip and have the boat whip around 45 to 180 degrees.

I'll take back the NFB steering solution since it sounds like the boat doesn't track straight. If you take your hand off the wheel and the boat abruptly changes course follow what the other posters suggest, trim tab, steering check, outboard alignment, etc.

How did the boat handle before you raised the outboard?

 

[DJ]

Re: Steering whip around question?

I'll take back the NFB steering solution since it sounds like the boat doesn't track straight. If you take your hand off the wheel and the boat abruptly changes course follow what the other posters suggest, trim tab, steering check, outboard alignment, etc.

How did the boat handle before you raised the outboard?

MY FAULT, I missed the part where you raised the engine. Doing so is good for performance but can create other issues.

The Lund has a pretty deep deadrise ("V"). That can create some interesting handling characteristics.

I never considered a Lund as a performance boat. Good-YES, performance-NO.

Lifting the engine may have just uncovered the limit of the hull.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Steering whip around question?

I respect all answers here.I run a shallow flats boat with a 90 hp yamaha.Until I replaced my old helm with a no feedback,I did need to stay on top of my grip.With no feedback,there is additional gearing which makes the whip effect gone.Not that I reccomend this,but you can set your course,and get a drink without worry of change.Its a great improvement.Ibelieve most cables adapt to the helm and its not hard to change.I had one on my 23 footer with the 225 ,made steering easier than the old days.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Steering whip around question?

I'll take back the NFB steering solution since it sounds like the boat doesn't track straight. If you take your hand off the wheel and the boat abruptly changes course follow what the other posters suggest, trim tab, steering check, outboard alignment, etc.

How did the boat handle before you raised the outboard?

The boat "does" track straight at all speeds!

 

[Expidia]

Re: Steering whip around question?

MY FAULT, I missed the part where you raised the engine. Doing so is good for performance but can create other issues.

The Lund has a pretty deep deadrise ("V"). That can create some interesting handling characteristics.

I never considered a Lund as a performance boat. Good-YES, performance-NO.

Lifting the engine may have just uncovered the limit of the hull.

I didn't tweak the outboard up a little for performance. I did it for severe spray since the dealer had mounted it too low. I raised it to put it within the manuf. specs.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Steering whip around question?

I respect all answers here.I run a shallow flats boat with a 90 hp yamaha.Until I replaced my old helm with a no feedback,I did need to stay on top of my grip.With no feedback,there is additional gearing which makes the whip effect gone.Not that I reccomend this,but you can set your course,and get a drink without worry of change.Its a great improvement.Ibelieve most cables adapt to the helm and its not hard to change.I had one on my 23 footer with the 225 ,made steering easier than the old days.

I'm thinking this will solve my issue too. I actually asked about it but it was not offered as an option. I'm going to search around to see if anyone makes no feedback for my model.

 

[cdnfthree2]

Re: Steering whip around question?

I respect all answers here.I run a shallow flats boat with a 90 hp yamaha.Until I replaced my old helm with a no feedback,I did need to stay on top of my grip.With no feedback,there is additional gearing which makes the whip effect gone.Not that I reccomend this,but you can set your course,and get a drink without worry of change.Its a great improvement.Ibelieve most cables adapt to the helm and its not hard to change.I had one on my 23 footer with the 225 ,made steering easier than the old days.

Exactly. I had a severe jerk to the right and adjusted the trim tab either direction to staighten it up at first. It helped but not enough. Eventually, my steering box gears gave up on me (old boat & had sat forever) and I replaced the box with an AFB one which worked with my old cables fine. Problem solved. If it does slip with antifeedback steering it will only slip a degree and then will lock up. Great Product

Also, If your anti cavitation plate is too big this can cause severe steering probs too. GL