boat pitching left while motoring
was just curious if anyone had any advice on fixing my problem. The last two times out on the boat i have noticed that the boat is pitching(leaning to the left hand side while Im cruising. I have a 5.2 genesis with a 90hp on the back no trim tabs and the boat is loaded evenly on both sides. Cruising back this arvo it became a little hairy as the slop was behind us slightly to the right a couple of times the slop would make the boat pitch quiet severly to the left not life threatening but enough to make u unstable on your feet and eskies slide around the deck. Also if u take your hands of the steering wheel while cruising the boat turns instantly and sharply to the right or it might be left cant remember now been a long day , also while cruising I have to put a bit of force on the wheel to make it just go straight. wasnt like this when i purchased the boat 8 months ago. While cleaning the boat i noticed that the little keel that sits above the prop had corroded a little bit on the left hand side. I also noticed that on the base of the keel it had numbers around it obviously if the boat pulls to one side u can turn the keel to a certain number to counteract the prop force from turning the motor just wondered which way to turn the keel or is this not my problem. Just thought it would save me a lot of trial and error if anyone can understand what is happening or may have experienced the same. Thanks
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wopjrb
Posts: 1407
Date Joined: 05/03/09
is it only in a following sea?
if so it couldbe a "yaw" where the boat surfs down to the left ?
biggerfish
Posts: 669
Date Joined: 02/03/09
na it leans to the right
na it leans to the right even in dead calm water almost like the boat has more weight on the left but even with all the weight on the right it still does it
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wopjrb
Posts: 1407
Date Joined: 05/03/09
maybe the inboard fuel tank / killtank
is causing free surface effect?
carnarvonite
Posts: 8667
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Bolts
Check the mounting bolts,it sounds like the motor has shifted because this problem has come on suddenly instead of gradually if the trim tab had corroded.
Lastchance
Posts: 1273
Date Joined: 02/02/09
Pitching
You have most probably already looked, but I had a similar problem a few years back when a well meaning mate moved the sinker and weight belt containers one to the other gunnel and one under the transom door on the same side of the boat - both were out of veiw - gave me no end of dramas. Good luck solving.
Carnarvonite sounds more likely though.....
Georgejungle
Posts: 354
Date Joined: 25/03/09
Hull could be holding water
Hull could be holding water and you dont know it.Tap on hull on the trailer at different points and see if the sound is different in one area?.
Andy
Posts: 522
Date Joined: 08/10/05
trim tab
Try adjusting the trim tab on the engine on the engine to help with the steering problems.
Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
Trim tabs!
Agree with looking at the engine trim tab as Andy mentioned but most boats will either lean into the wind and/or lean to one side. Often the slightest weight inbalance can change the ride. Ali deep V hulls normally more noticable and regardless of the boat trim tabs make a huge difference......thats what i use!
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
i would reccomend investing
i would reccomend investing the $ and getting trim tabs even if you find the prob, that way you dont need to worry so much about even loading the boat as its not always easy to do so. i have them on my 23foot glass and wouldnt be without them
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Andy Mac
Posts: 4778
Date Joined: 03/02/06
I have a Genesis and have had a similar prob
If the helm is wanting to violently turn one way or another whilst under steam, you have probably knocked the little adjusting keel on the back of the engine. Turn this a little whilst out on the water and see if it makes any difference. That was all that was causing my severe turning.
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
Auslobster
Posts: 1901
Date Joined: 03/05/08
My boat...
...used to track to the left if I let go of the steering wheel...probably due to the prop rotation. Not an issue anymore since I got hydraulic steering. Not saying that's the answer to your problem, but it does cover up the symptoms!
biggerfish
Posts: 669
Date Joined: 02/03/09
Thanks everyone will try all
Thanks everyone will try all these things hope I can sort it out
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