Steering and controlling the boat direction

smasih

Recruit
Joined
Aug 1, 2020
Messages
4
Hello folks,
New to the forum here.

We just bought a 1998 Sunbird 170 Volvo Pento 3.0 and put it in water for the first time yesterday.

The steering control was horrible. Boat wont go straight. I played with trim, took the biking cover off in case that was dragging boat, it was not windy at all. We were in a canal.

Steering in the middle, boat goes to right. Correct the direction (slowly) and it goes hard left even with small correction.
Steering felt smooth while operating but when doing a U turn (taking it to extreme left) and then trying to make it straight, it needed some effort.

Cable issue?
Lower unit issue?

Thank you in advance for thoughts, comments and/or suggestions.

Shailesh
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
40,581
Howdy

If all this was done at idle speed then its normal, and its caused by the Vee hull. It does wonder and you can find a spot where it wonders back n forth about the same amount
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,297
welcome aboard.

as AD mentioned, most likely v-hull wander. all v-hulls with single motors suffer from this at low speed
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,465
Ayuh,....... Welcome to Boatin',...... V-hulls in the water, drive nothin' like yer car on concrete,.......

You'll get the hang of it,....... :)
 

smasih

Recruit
Joined
Aug 1, 2020
Messages
4
Thank you guys.
Its just harder to work with them docking. Will get use to it I guess.

The skeg was bent a little which we managed to get 90% straight.
 
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