Tested the boat today with my new trim tab anode!

[mcu]

Hi Guys,<br />I sppreciate all the help you have given me to date...you guys rock! I thought that you guys would like to know how it went!<br />Well, I adjusted the back of the fin about 1/4" to the left and took it for a drive. I still felt the same as before. So I stopped and re-adjusted it all the way to the left (about 1/2"), and felt an improvement, but still not 100%. Instead of doing a 360 degree rotation whe I let go of the steering, I was now pulling about 45-60 degree to the left. So I started playing with the trim and I found that it helped in keeping my steering straight. even though its not 100%, I would say that by adjusting the trim up and down frequently I was able to even it out. <br />What does this all mean? Is my skeg causing this? Is my prop causing this? is 23" pitch too much? Should I be looking at replacing the prop with a 19 or 21" pitch? I do not want a prop that will raise my rpms, and I do not really care about top speed for now. As it is now, I am able to get to 49MPH at 4600rpm<br />Is this good? <br />Better handling and control is more important to me than top speed right now, but I also want whats best for my boat and engine. What do you guys suggest?

 

[evin300]

Re: Tested the boat today with my new trim tab anode!

Hi mcu, I asked quite a while ago if this is your first expreince with a boat. You didnt reply, so is it? The reason I ask is because I think you might be chasing a ghost. Is the steering wheel pulling at your hands trying to turn to the left, or does it just feel normal untill you let go, and then turn slowly by itself to the left? You must realize that a boat is not at all like a car, the car is powered forward by the tires in the same direction as the rotation of the tires. Whereas a propeller as to rotate 180 deg. opposite to achieve forward thrust, this creates a counter force on the steering wheel, and of course if you let go of it, it will naturally turn in the direction opposite of the propeller rotation. In my experience you should never let go of the wheel unless you are just trolling around.<br /><br />Now, about the trim tab, it is designed to counteract that force at higher speeds, not so much at medium to slow speed. At higher speed this counterforce becomes much stronger and can literally pull the wheel from your hands, set the tab to counteract this "pulling" if it is not pulling at you, then you are doing fine IMHO.<br /><br />Remember that once the drive begins its turn, that the water pressure begins to build on the side of the gearcase which makes the wheel turn to the left, then more pressure builds, more wheel turn, more presseure etc. untill you have completed a full turn. To me, this a quite a natural experience to expect in a boat. Hope this helps.

 

[evin300]

Re: Tested the boat today with my new trim tab anode!

Also from what I have read so far, I think the skeg is having absolutely no effect, maybe if it was twisted to resemble the effect of a trim tab then it would.

 

[mcu]

Re: Tested the boat today with my new trim tab anode!

Hi Evin,<br />This is my second boat . The other was more of a speed boat and this is a cruiser. Maybe I feel this because its a cruiser and the drive is suppose to feel different. What you describe is similar to what I feel. I do not get hard pulling when I am driving, but the wheel does start turning to left when I let go. So this is a natural feeling? Its just that this cruiser is a major change in driving and handling compared to my 20' Wellcraft I previously had. Should I bother get a torque tab to compensate for torque or getting the skeg straightened?<br /><br />Thanks http://www.justgowireless.com/boat/

 

[evin300]

Re: Tested the boat today with my new trim tab anode!

mcu, My boat is more of a speed boat, its not as heavy as a cruiser, its 21' and has a heavy outboard with power steering. I havent let go of the steering wheel to find out what it does at lower speeds, but in my manual it says that since I have power steering the trim tab setting is not as crucial since power steer gets rid of the "pull" that you would feel, however they do say to adjust the tab to a given setting anyway. <br /><br />on my previous boat, a 16' with manual steering I remember letting go of the wheel and it would do as you describe. Maybe a torque tab mounted on the skeg would add to what the trim tab is already doing for you and help with your problem, although this would appear to be an unusual set-up, maybe it will work for you. Its hard for me to believe that your bent skeg is causing a noticeable problem, I could be wrong as I have no experience with that.<br /><br />I am not sure what to expect from your particular set-up. It would be good to hear from others with similar boats, maybe start a new post and describe your boat, motor, outdrive and describe how fast you are going when you let go of the wheel.<br /><br />If your boat truly is acting unusual, then maybe it goes back to your steering system (hydralic)? There must be some tests to perform to make sure it is acting correctly.<br /><br />Good Luck, and I will be curious as to the end of this story, Mike