Steering 2024
Skeeter Dan reply :
My boat has always pulled to the right but easy to turn left until I changed out my prop from a 19 pitch to a 21 pitch. Now its still pulls right but very hard to steer left at full speed
Bass Turd reply :
Look up how to adjust your skeg on the lower unit. This might be it.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/2/2017 at 12:23 AM, Bass Turd said:Look up how to adjust your skeg on the lower unit. This might be it.
Ok. I have thought that my skeg wasn't strait. That might work Thanks.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/2/2017 at 7:41 AM, Skeeter Dan said:Ok. I have thought that my skeg wasn't strait. That might work Thanks.
It looks like it's bowed to the right. I'm going to break out the hammers when I get it back from having holes on the bottom patch. Stumps !!!!!!!! what can I say
LoweStinger reply :
This sounds like a Trim tab adjustment issue.
fishnkamp reply :
That trim tab is adjustable. There should be a cap over top of it.. You pop out that cap, loosen the bolt down inside and then adjust the trim tab. Torque it back up to spec and it should be done in small increments. Be vary careful when "hammering" on you lower unit. That aluminum can crack from that type of "adjustment". Thewn you would need a fabricator to repair it.
Skeeter Dan reply :
Tab is as far right as you can get it. I know to take my time hammering out the skeg .
fishnkamp reply :
The tab should be almost dead center, a small 1/4 of an inch is a lot of adjustment.
Before I did anything, I would center it and see what difference that might make.
J Francho reply :
On 4/5/2017 at 4:28 AM, Skeeter Dan said:It looks like it's bowed to the right. I'm going to break out the hammers when I get it back from having holes on the bottom patch. Stumps !!!!!!!! what can I say
It's supposed to be canted to the right a bit, to account for torque of the spinning prop. You might want to consult an experience mechanic familiar with setting up outboards. There's many things to consider.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/5/2017 at 8:52 PM, J Francho said:
It's supposed to be canted to the right a bit, to account for torque of the spinning prop. You might want to consult an experience mechanic familiar with setting up outboards. There's many things to consider.
I called a marine dealer this morning. They said the skeg must be strait .Also where my top right motor mount bolt is concaved in that it must be squared if not it will affect the steering . So the solution is striating skeg and add flat bar to upper right motor mount bolt on inside transom .
J Francho reply :
They are shimming the transom? That sounds ugly. Also sounds like the motor isn't perfectly 90° to the transom, due to the spot for the mounting bolt. That will cause steering problems.
Anyway, My 2.5 ProMax has it adjusted slightly to the right, I mean ever so subtle. I asked about the setup, and was told it's correct, keeps the boat running straight. iBoats and ScreamAndFly have some info. I'm running over 260 hp on the back of a 1300 lb. boat. So, perhaps it's more sensitive.
Good luck with the repair, and let us know how it turns out. Set up is as much art as it is science.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/7/2017 at 11:30 PM, J Francho said:They are shimming the transom? That sounds ugly. Also sounds like the motor isn't perfectly 90° to the transom, due to the spot for the mounting bolt. That will cause steering problems.
Anyway, My 2.5 ProMax has it adjusted slightly to the right, I mean ever so subtle. I asked about the setup, and was told it's correct, keeps the boat running straight. iBoats and ScreamAndFly have some info. I'm running over 260 hp on the back of a 1300 lb. boat. So, perhaps it's more sensitive.
Good luck with the repair, and let us know how it turns out. Set up is as much art as it is science.
It might be cantered a little but my skeg has a bow in it. I'll let you know the out come when I'm finished. roadwarrior and I have a tournament on the 23rd so I have to get this old baby skeeter ready for it.
J Francho reply :
Don't let Kent back-boat you!
Bass Turd reply :
On 4/7/2017 at 11:41 PM, Skeeter Dan said:It might be cantered a little but my skeg has a bow in it. I'll let you know the out come when I'm finished. roadwarrior and I have a tournament on the 23rd so I have to get this old baby skeeter ready for it.
The only thing changed was the prop. The skeg is the permanent fin on the bottom of the lower unit... correct? Do you have an aluminum alloy fin right above the prop? Looks like this? You can adjust it one way or the other to straighten out steering pull at high speed.
TRIM TAB ADJUSTMENT
On larger Outboard motors, there is a steering trim tab located on the bottom of the cavitation plate, just aft of the propeller. It is adjustable and has been installed on the engine to correct for propeller torque.
Adjustment of the trim tab should be done after you've gone through the steps of proper tilt adjustment.
The boat should be operated with a normal load on board in a straight line. Incorrect trim tab adjustment will cause the boat to turn to the left or to the right when your hand are removed from the steering wheel. Be careful when removing your hands from the steering wheel; a tilt tab incorrectly positioned may cause the boat to turn violently.
To adjust the trim tab, loosen the securing bolts, as per the engine manufacturer's instructions, and move the trim tab in the direction the boat pulls. For example, if the boat pulls to starboard, move the trailing edge of the trim tab to starboard. Make these adjustments in small increments and test the results. The object is to create a "hands off straight line" steering condition for the normal operating speed. It is not possible to eliminate steering pull throughout the engine speed range.
Remember, tilt adjustment may affect steering torque as much as the trim tab. With Outboard engines equipped with power trim this becomes particularly important. When under way, experiment with trim settings to neutralize steering pull.
WRB reply :
The skeg is below the prop, trim tab is above and behind the prop as the above post photo clearly shows. Trim tabs are usually adjusted slightly to the right, about 5 degrees, not aligned straight. Don't move the tab by pounding on it, loosen the nut!
If your bow is down in the water your steering will be difficult at higher speeds, trim up the engine so the bow lifts out of the water.
Your manual steering cable could also be the problem because it's binding. Pre 1990 Skeeters have glassed over wood transum, dry wrought can be a major problem. If the engine mounting bolts are sinking into the transum you have a problem.
Tom
J Francho reply :
My sporty LU has no turn fin, though my 115 elpto Merc did. Those are always off center. Turn fins aren't necessary with power steering.
I still say it pulls due to it being out of alignment on the transom.
"Trim Tabs" are flaps either recessed in the bottom of the boat, or attached to the transom.
MickD reply :
This whole thing sounds confusing, skeg tab "all the way to the right," hammering on a lower unit, motor mount area caved in, getting it back from having the hull patched. It doesn't sound to me that this is the place to get this situation under control. I think it can be done only by having a competent boat mechanic take the boat and do what it takes to fix it right. Then avoid stumps and leave the adjustments alone. IMHO
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/7/2017 at 11:42 PM, J Francho said:Don't let Kent back-boat you!
He already has but that's all right. I counting on him.
On 4/7/2017 at 11:50 PM, Bass Turd said:
The only thing changed was the prop. The skeg is the permanent fin on the bottom of the lower unit... correct? Do you have an aluminum alloy fin right above the prop? Looks like this? You can adjust it one way or the other to straighten out steering pull at high speed.
TRIM TAB ADJUSTMENT
On larger Outboard motors, there is a steering trim tab located on the bottom of the cavitation plate, just aft of the propeller. It is adjustable and has been installed on the engine to correct for propeller torque.
Adjustment of the trim tab should be done after you've gone through the steps of proper tilt adjustment.
The boat should be operated with a normal load on board in a straight line. Incorrect trim tab adjustment will cause the boat to turn to the left or to the right when your hand are removed from the steering wheel. Be careful when removing your hands from the steering wheel; a tilt tab incorrectly positioned may cause the boat to turn violently.
To adjust the trim tab, loosen the securing bolts, as per the engine manufacturer's instructions, and move the trim tab in the direction the boat pulls. For example, if the boat pulls to starboard, move the trailing edge of the trim tab to starboard. Make these adjustments in small increments and test the results. The object is to create a "hands off straight line" steering condition for the normal operating speed. It is not possible to eliminate steering pull throughout the engine speed range.
Remember, tilt adjustment may affect steering torque as much as the trim tab. With Outboard engines equipped with power trim this becomes particularly important. When under way, experiment with trim settings to neutralize steering pull.
It's is already all the way to the right
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/8/2017 at 4:27 AM, MickD said:This whole thing sounds confusing, skeg tab "all the way to the right," hammering on a lower unit, motor mount area caved in, getting it back from having the hull patched. It doesn't sound to me that this is the place to get this situation under control. I think it can be done only by having a competent boat mechanic take the boat and do what it takes to fix it right. Then avoid stumps and leave the adjustments alone. IMHO
I thought that maybe some one on might of had this problem that's why I asked.. As far as stumps go the only way to miss then in this one lake we fish is not go there
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/8/2017 at 1:06 AM, WRB said:The skeg is below the prop, trim tab is above and behind the prop as the above post photo clearly shows. Trim tabs are usually adjusted slightly to the right, about 5 degrees, not aligned straight. Don't move the tab by pounding on it, loosen the nut!
If your bow is down in the water your steering will be difficult at higher speeds, trim up the engine so the bow lifts out of the water.
Your manual steering cable could also be the problem because it's binding. Pre 1990 Skeeters have glassed over wood transum, dry wrought can be a major problem. If the engine mounting bolts are sinking into the transum you have a problem.
Tom
It's a 1990 model . I have been raised in a boat. I have had my own boat since 1979 . Three outboards , Two inboards out drives and a Jet boat with a 460 cubic inch in it. So this boat thing is not new to me but this problem is.
Bass Turd reply :
On 4/8/2017 at 8:38 PM, Skeeter Dan said:He already has but that's all right. I counting on him.
It's is already all the way to the right
Can you show us a picture?
WRB reply :
On 4/8/2017 at 9:06 PM, Skeeter Dan said:It's a 1990 model . I have been raised in a boat. I have had my own boat since 1979 . Three outboards , Two inboards out drives and a Jet boat with a 460 cubic inch in it. So this boat thing is not new to me but this problem is.
You should know then if the torque tab is set straight the torque will pull to the engine causing you to steer into it to off set the prop torque. I owned a '88 Skeeter SF175 that had dry wrought transum and steering problems was my 1st clue something was wrong. Good luck!
Tom
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/9/2017 at 12:19 AM, WRB said:You should know then if the torque tab is set straight the torque will pull to the engine causing you to steer into it to off set the prop torque. I owned a '88 Skeeter SF175 that had dry wrought transum and steering problems was my 1st clue something was wrong. Good luck!
Tom
After sitting behind the boat today something caught my eye. The motor is at least 1/2 in off center and is cockeyed to the left. Who ever put this motor on the boat did a very bad job. So I just have to deal with it until after September. I will take it to a good Marine shop and let them get it right. Life goes on at least I got to spend some good quality time with my grand sons the past two days. Dan
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/8/2017 at 3:37 AM, J Francho said:My sporty LU has no turn fin, though my 115 elpto Merc did. Those are always off center. Turn fins aren't necessary with power steering.
I still say it pulls due to it being out of alignment on the transom.
"Trim Tabs" are flaps either recessed in the bottom of the boat, or attached to the transom.
You are correct J. Its cockeyed to the left and is at least 1/2 in off center .
LoweStinger reply :
On 4/10/2017 at 10:08 AM, Skeeter Dan said:You are correct J. Its cockeyed to the left and is at least 1/2 in off center .
WOW that would be it LOL !!
J Francho reply :
Hope the fix is relatively painless, and you can get it running with better steering.
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