why does my boat turn right?

C

conron

Seaman
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
55
I have a 1986 starline 16' w/ a merc 120 and alpha one drive unit. the boat wants to pull right as if it were out of alignment like a car and I have to fight it pushing it left just to keep it straight..real easy to turn right but going left is a different story its kind of hard and the boat leans to the left when going, all this is at WOT, no problems at half throttle or less and I read about the trim tab and I have it turned as far to the left as it will go, as looking at it from the rear. is there any suggestions because I'm lost? Thanks
 
seabob4

seabob4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: why does my boat turn right?

Tilt your drive up, move the trailing edge of the torque tab to 1:00 That should take care of your problem...
 
Rocky_Road

Rocky_Road

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
1,798
Re: why does my boat turn right?

conron said:
I have a 1986 starline 16' w/ a merc 120 and alpha one drive unit. the boat wants to pull right as if it were out of alignment like a car and I have to fight it pushing it left just to keep it straight..real easy to turn right but going left is a different story its kind of hard and the boat leans to the left when going, all this is at WOT, no problems at half throttle or less and I read about the trim tab and I have it turned as far to the left as it will go, as looking at it from the rear. is there any suggestions because I'm lost? Thanks
Click to expand...

The trailing edge of the trim tab always goes in the direction that the boat wants to go...in your case, starboard (right).

If I read your post correctly, you have moved the trim tab in the wrong direction...and compounded your issue.

Happy boating!
 
Barnacle_Bill

Barnacle_Bill

Admiral
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
6,469
Re: why does my boat turn right?

Yes, you turned it in the wrong direction. The trim tab does not act like a rudder. It compensates for the torque of the prop.
v
 
seabob4

seabob4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: why does my boat turn right?

1:00 does it...maybe 1:30
 
Rocky_Road

Rocky_Road

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
1,798
Re: why does my boat turn right?

seabob4 said:
1:00 does it...maybe 1:30
Click to expand...

Is that Eastern time...or Central???

Only kidding! I like that reference...it is almost impossible to tell anyone what to do with their trim tab. Our 'trailing edge' always ends up as someone's front edge...and vice versa!

Happy boating!
 
seabob4

seabob4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: why does my boat turn right?

Rocky_Road said:
Is that Eastern time...or Central???

Only kidding! I like that reference...it is almost impossible to tell anyone what to do with their trim tab. Our 'trailing edge' always ends up as someone's front edge...and vice versa!

Happy boating!
Click to expand...

Well hopefully, our OP realizes that even though his drive is tilted up, which end of the tab is still "trailing"...:D
 
C

conron

Seaman
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
55
Re: why does my boat turn right?

thanks it worked....I was going the wrong way
 
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