Pulling to the left

[BigManDan72]

I took my new-to-me boat out for the first time this weekend and it pulls a bit to the left. I examined the lower unit at the end of the day and found they skeg to be slightly bent in such a way that the boat would pull left so I'm assuming that's the issue. What is the best way to correct the bent skeg? Bashing it with a hammer is certainly one way but not sure it's the best way. Thoughts?

 

[roffey]

I am assuming you have rack and pinion power steering, right?

 

[BigManDan72]

That's right.

 

[roffey]

it was my feeling that for the most part power steering does not have Torque steer and if the skeg is bent you will have to take it to a shop to straighten out. I don't think it expensive I see ads for it all the time on Kijiji (http://www.kijiji.ca/b-ontario/skeg-repairs/k0l9004). The big question is that what the problem is for that that answer I will wait for someone else to step in, LOL.

 

[roffey]

forgot your not in Canada, sorry. I bet their are places to get the skeg fixed.

 

[wahlejim]

I am not a fan of just banging on an outdrive to fix a bent skeg. Any prop shop in your area should be able to fix it for pretty cheap.

 

[BigManDan72]

Thanks guys! I will look into finding a service shop that can fix it for me.

 

[robert graham]

Have you tried adjusting your zinc trim tab on motor?....

 

[thumpar]

Have you tried adjusting your zinc trim tab on motor?....

They don't use those with power steering. It is just a flat anode.

 

[redneck joe]

They don't use those with power steering. It is just a flat anode.

could one be added?

 

[thumpar]

could one be added?

Why would you? Just fix the problem. They are not needed with power steering. If it is pulling something is wrong.

 

[Chris1956]

Indeed something is wrong, but I have not seen a bent skeg cause a boat to pull in any direction. Does the boat have a right handed prop or is it left-handed?

 

[BigManDan72]

So the part I didn't share, cuz I was emberrassed I guess, is that the skeg is bent because I banged it on the ramp. I forgot to put the lower unit up and dragged it a few inches up the ramp before I heard the scraping sound. So I probably damaged something else. Any ideas?

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'd be surprised if dragging the skeg on the ramp for a few feet would do much to anything but the skeg itself, unless you drove several hundred feet with the drive down. If you look at enough boats, you'll see that many of the skegs bear battle scars. I don't think the 'ramp drag' is that uncommon...

 

[roffey]

I have dragged the skeg across the cement ramp and all it did was scratch the pavement, LOL, I bet it was bent before the skeg drag. For a newbie owner I bet it wont be the last time.

I guess a good question is how hard does it pull and does it only pull on take off or does it pull once your up on plane? how hard does it pull, is it a two hander or will one finger resting on the wheel do?

Could the out drive position be the problem, maybe an adjustment?

 

[Maclin]

Did you notice the pulling before the ramp-drag incident?

 

[BigManDan72]

Did you notice the pulling before the ramp-drag incident?

No I didn't, Maclin, which is what lead me to associate the two events. The pull is not dramatic and I can hold the wheel in place easily with one finger. If I let go, though, the boat will dart left pretty quickly. I can't remember if it was worse or better when or on plane but my recollection the situation got better once planed and trimmed up a bit.

 

[redneck joe]

trim the lower unit up should ease the pull and welcome to the ramp draggers club. I'd venture that 90% of us have done it. I've got my Carver set up now so I'm about 7" high of the ground so won't be doing it again soon. Gives a bit higher center of gravity but still trailers well.

 

[Chris1956]

You can use an anode with a fin on it, even if you have power steering. Adjust it to pull a little right and your problem should be mitigated. Use a standard fin anode for standard props and the anode with the smaller, set-back fin, for props with extra rake.