Steering

[wallydc2]

I have a 1991 3.0L mercruiser and at full throttle it pulls ( very hard ) to the left. I repositioned the trim tab as far left as it will go (per manual) with no difference in the steering. One thing I noticed is when I have the steering wheel straight the lower unit is not straight, it's of to the left as if I were turning left. Do I need to adjust the steering cable to fix this problem? Any help would be appreciated. The is a 1991 18ft 1991 Regal.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering

I have a 1991 3.0L mercruiser and at full throttle it pulls ( very hard ) to the left. I repositioned the trim tab as far left as it will go (per manual) with no difference in the steering. One thing I noticed is when I have the steering wheel straight the lower unit is not straight, it's of to the left as if I were turning left. Do I need to adjust the steering cable to fix this problem? Any help would be appreciated. The is a 1991 18ft 1991 Regal.

Ayuh,....

Try another Prop, or Style of Prop..... That should Help with the torque steer....

As for the relationship of the Wheel to the Drive,.... You've got it abit Backwards....
When the Outdrive is Straight,... It's the Steering Wheel that's Not...

Rarely do they both point straight ahead at the same time,... Steering wheels should be designed so there is no up, or down to them....
It is Much More important that the Outdrive is centered in it's travel, rather than the Wheel....
If you change it to center the wheel, you'll loose travel somewhere else...

Trying to center Both will only drive you Crazy, probably with disappointing results....

 

[Big Boat Bay Buster]

Re: Steering

I have owned a few 18' run-abouts over the years and one thing i have noticed is the steering will pull, sometimes greatly, to one side or the other depending on different factors.
#1 is where people are siting. If two big guys are on one side and the boat leans, its going to pull one way.
#2 is wind and current.
If it always pulls in one direction, you should be able to adjust that with the trim tab on the drive, which seems you have no luck with.
Check a few things
Sterring loose-Hold the wheel still, does the drive have play in it?
Move it full left to full right- Do you have full travel-Does it bind?
If you want, you could probably straighten out the drive, and then re-position the sterring wheel so that its straight. But I guarentee that under way, it will never be centered when the boats going straight. Its not like a car.
One more thing-Are you useing a DOEL-FIN type thing on your drive?
After I removed one on my boat, it gained top speed, handled much better and was EASIER TO STEER!! Only thing it was good for was keeping the nose down on the hole shot.
Chris

BONDO-you type faster the I do!-- You post before I do--at least our answers are similair

 

[wallydc2]

Re: Steering

Thanks but I have bought 3 props, 17, 19, and a 21 pitch. They all perform according to activity specifications but the steering problem still exists at full throttle.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering

Thanks but I have bought 3 props, 17, 19, and a 21 pitch. They all perform according to activity specifications but the steering problem still exists at full throttle.

Ayuh,....

Are they all the Same Style,..??

Is the Pull affected by Trimming the drive,..??

BONDO-you type faster the I do!-- You post before I do--

Ayuh,... How's it feel to get Whoopped by an old fart, typin' with only 1 finger,+ no glasses,..??:redface:

 

[wallydc2]

Re: Steering

I never considered removing the fin!!! Is that really an option? When I bought the boat it was removed, and I did not think to ask why he removed it when he handed it to me.?????????????????

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering

Do you have power steering?

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering

I wouldn't just leave it off, it's an anode, for corrosion control and a trim fin. Are you sure you are adjusting it the proper direction?
If the boat is pulling to the left (to port) raise the drive and while looking at the trim tab, turn it counter clock wise.

 

[T-O-Double-D]

Re: Steering

I don't know if i'm reading his first post properly or not.
But if the boat is pulling to the left, the tab should be moved to the right not the left.
That corrected my pulling issue.

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering

I don't know if i'm reading his first post properly or not.
But if the boat is pulling to the left, the tab should be moved to the right not the left.
That corrected my pulling issue.

Left means nothing unless you know what part of the tab he is looking at.
If he is referring to the front of the tab turned left, then he is backwards and it will pull even worse.

 

[wallydc2]

Re: Steering

No I do not have power steering. I thought that my manual said to position the trim tab towards the direction the boat is pulling, am I wrong about that?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Steering

Boating is blessed with the proper terminology, facing the front of the boat with your back towards the rear left is port, right is starboard.

Bow is the front, stern is the back.

Now when in the future we discuss what direction the trim tab should be moved lets all be on the same page and use the proper terms.

If for example your pulling port side you need to move the trim tab starboard.

And if that don't fix it look to another cause.

Maybe water holding on the port side in the hull.

 

[sdoomaha]

Re: Steering

I'm usually asking questions but can actually provide input on this one. When I bought my first boat, it had a "stingray" hydrofoil on it. Would pull good from the hole, but once up on plane, if you accelerated briskly, the prop would cavitate. After checking the prop, changing to another prop, and then going so far as to test a couple of stainless 5 blade props, couldnt locate the problem. Took off the hydrofoil and eureka problem solved. While it wouldn't get on plane quite as quick, I didn't have to nurse it up to speed once it was up on plane. Small price to pay. From my experience Bubba nailed it....drop the hydrofoil and see what effect it has. Nothing to lose, you can always bolt it back on. Also, on the one I had, the hydrofoil also had extra "tabs" that could be adjusted on the bottom side of it to help compensate for steering pull. Any chance those are out of whack if you still have the hydrofoil mounted?

Enjoy the holidays all!

Steve O!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering

Boating is blessed with the proper terminology, facing the front of the boat with your back towards the rear left is port, right is starboard.

Bow is the front, stern is the back.

Ayuh,...

Wouldn't that be Fore,+ Aft,..??

 

[wallydc2]

Re: Steering

Thanks for all of your help, I think I adjusted the trim tab in the wrong direction. Once things thaw out here in illinois I will let you all know what I find out. Thanks again and merry christmas everyone.

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering

I thought that my manual said to position the trim tab towards the direction the boat is pulling, am I wrong about that?

If the boat is pulling to port (left), you move the trailing edge of the trim tab to port (left).

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Steering

The trailing edge exactly.

 

[abj87]

Re: Steering

try playing with the trim, you may be able to cancel it out that way. i also pull the port side as well i have played with the trim tab numerous times with no avail, but i did find with the trim you can.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Steering

here's an old thread with pictures...
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=217934&highlight=adjust+trim+tab
i think the service manual might also have pics too..