Steering Issues

[jsmithooltewah]

Hit the lake yesterday in my 93 bass tracker 70 hp evinrude! When I hit the throttle the boat wants to take a hard right hand turn,just like a car out of allignment. I can run the boat at full speed but I have to hold the steering wheel from turning right. Note" when i was backing the boat into the garage on sunday i backed it into the block wall" It was a gentle touch,but nevertheless i hit the wall. Does anyone have any idea what damage i caused and why the boat wants to take the hard right when i accelerate? Thanks in advance for the help!!!

 

[TN444PSD]

Check to make sure your bottom scag is not bent and also just above the prop you may or my not have a torque tab that you either broke off or turned it.

 

[wrechin2]

TN444PSD - 3/3/2011 11:21 AM Check to make sure your bottom scag is not bent and also just above the prop you may or my not have a torque tab that you either broke off or turned it.

</p>

Yep, what he said. Plus if you recently changed props, you may have to adjust the tab from the previous position. If you trim the engine too high it will cause it also due to the tab is close to the surface or out of the water. If this doesn't help, then there is a a additional trim tab that attaches to the skeg for even more countering effect. </p>

 

[fish4life]

My boat also has this problem it has a 150,ive heard just bigger engines do it but.my anti cavitation plate has a chip in it so they put a hydrofoil over it.is there a way to adjust it or is it just normal on the bigger ones??its not really bad it just can be annoying.

 

[jsmithooltewah]

You guys were exactly right!! Went home and checked it,sure enough it was slightly turned! This site is awesome! Tks for the fix!!!

 

[wrechin2]

With cable steering you will always have some amount of torque steer to a degree. Props and setup can make it worse.

If you understand what is happening you will see why it is important that the trim tab is there and adjusted properly. You want the tab to be turned towards the starboard side slightly but can be turned a lot depending on application. What happens is as the prop blades reach the 6 o'clock position, it is trying to push the lower unit to the right. When the blades reach the 12 o'clock positon it tries to push the lower unit to the left somewhat countering it. The water at the surface is aerated and does not get the "push" that the 6 o'clock position does so it pulls the steering wheel to the right (remember the engine goes opposite of the way you turn it) causing you to have to steer to the left . The trim tab counter acts this by trying to force the lower unit to the left as water passes over it. Some applications need more than the factory tab can offer and can use a tab that mounts on the skeg. Just my .02 and experiences.

 

[fish4life]

Thanx for the info

 

[wrechin2]

Here is one of the applications where the original tab does not work. As you can see, the cavitation plate is 6-8" out of the water!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ0ZRt_isN4&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

 

[Fastwin]

wow - and I thought my transducer was bad. . . his isn't even in the water. emoLaugh But, he may have a high-speed through hull somewhere.

 

[wrechin2]

NOPE! That is the only one.