View Full Version : boat steering question?
backdoc
03-06-2012, 12:29 AM
I just recently bought a 20' aluminum deck boat with a 120 Johnson on it and it has a 4 blade SS prop. It runs great and is fast out of the hole and will run 40-42 by my gps unit.
Heres the problem. When it is trimmed all the down, it pulls hard to the right. When I trim it way up, it pulls hard to the left. There is a magic point in the middle where it drives perfect and you you never have to touch the wheel.
Is there something that can be done to fix this? I've seen a one direction pull but never a double.
Thanks,
Justin
Travis C.
03-06-2012, 07:38 AM
Does it have power trim?
Usually there is a point if its trimmed all the way down when you take off then start trimming up where the gets "light" feeling once its on plane. That is where I stop it. Even then it you take your hands off the wheel it will try to pull one way.
Maybe the trim tabs aren't set right or the power trim isn't set in the center?
whrizob
03-06-2012, 09:23 AM
there should be a fin on the cavitaion plate on the skeg. this can be turn one way or the other to fix that problem.
agelesssone
03-06-2012, 10:20 AM
If you take your hands off the wheel, the torque of the motor and prop will naturally turn your boat, generally to the right.
That's why you should always wear your kill switch cord so if you get thrown overboard by a wake or rogue wave, you boat won't turn around in circles and run over you.
backdoc
03-06-2012, 11:48 AM
It has power tilt and trim. it has a cavitation plate but which way does it need to be turned to correct this because it I turn it one way I'm afraid it'll pull harder one way. Like Is said, I've seen natural turning to the right but I've never seen it pull both ways according to where the trim is.
And when I say pull, it pulls hard. I've owned boat for years and know how to trim out and have never had one pull this hard either way.
SAMBOLIE
03-06-2012, 07:11 PM
It sounds like the steering cables are in need of replacement. Steering torque is generally associated with V6's with 3 blade props. 4 blades generally relieve most of this torque because there is more blade surface in the water. With a 3 blade 1 prop is entering the water, 1 is out of the water and 1 is exiting the water. Torque tabs are usually only effective at idle to very slow speeds. They are basically a very very small rudder so adjust accordingly to straighten the boat's direction.
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