won't back up

Triumphdave2

Recruit
Joined
Sep 29, 2010
Messages
5
I bought a 1985 26ft Sleekcraft Ambassidor, equiped with a Volvo 290A 5.7
I really like the boat but noticed from the first time launched that it does not like backing up. The boat will start backing up but then it will start walking sideways. Steering L and R and throttling in reverse will not give you control. This makes manuvering away from docks very difficult, not to mention launching and reloading. The boat came with both a R twist and a L twist prop and I have tried both of them (Volvo makes that swap very easy) with the same result. The skag looks fine and the lower unit goes fully down.
I was wondering if any other Sleekcraft owner has a simular problem.
 

83 sleek

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 2, 2010
Messages
30
Re: won't back up

I have the same boat with Mercruiser 260 and have same issues while at dock. This is my first boat so I just thought I was making rookie mistakes but my 48' lowboy trailer is easier to back to up than the boat. I found it helps to punch it to straighten momentum!
 

Triumphdave2

Recruit
Joined
Sep 29, 2010
Messages
5
Re: won't back up

I have wondered if adding a hydrofoil stabilizer to control prop wash would help when in reverse.
 
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