Unsteady at Slow Speeds

[UBT]

Finally took the boat out today for the first time. When going slow in the no wake zone, the boat won't track straight. Constant heavy steering input is needed to help keep the boat going straight. Even still, the boat keeps going left and right.

Any suggestions???

UB

[RJ]

This question atually belongs in the Mechanics Workshop area of the Boating Forums which is where I am going to move it...if I can figure out how.

At slow speeds you wil always have some over steering needed, however this sounds dramatic. Is it an inboard or outboard?

I have seen this problem on outboards where the skeg on the lower unit just above the prop is not set correctly to either side. I THINK, if it turns had to one direction, you turn the skeg to the same direction?, but you get the point. This corrects the oversterring because the prop turns in one direction and and you need the counter balance so speak to make the boat go straight.

[LkyLindy]

Ubt-

It seems obvious that you have a deep vee-probably 21 degrees or more deadrise-you will track better at a faster speed or try usinf your trim tabs to hold steady-.You can also turn into wakes or waves to stop the broadside problem

[UBT]

It's a stern drive and you're right, it is dramatic. It isn't only left or right, it's both. It's almost impossible to get it to a point where you're going basically straight with a little input here and there to keep straight.

UB

[jackie G]

what kind of boat ? drive? :confused:

[UBT]

1985 Renken 23' OMC Stern Drive