Boat listing to left

[JayBirdie88]

I have 1988 Regal Sebring, 19 ft, 175 hp Mercruiser, 21 pitch aluminum prop that lists to left, but only when on plane. Approx 2,500 -3,000 rpm. Floats level at no wake speed or at drift. Passenger load weight position or trim tab adjustment has no effect. There are no hull tabs. It trims out while making right turn. The hull is dry. There is no unusual weight in the hull.. I suspect prop torque..I don't know how to correct trim. Will a different prop help?

 

[airshot]

Hooked or warped hull near the stern could cause that. Pics of the underside of the hull might help..

 

[Scott Danforth]

Look for something heavy on the port side

 

[JimS123]

Turn the outdrive's trim tab to starboard. Trial and error.

 

[JayBirdie88]

Hooked or warped hull near the stern could cause that. Pics of the underside of the hull might help..

Boat is on roller bunk trailer. Picture not possible.
Dont know what a hull hook is or what to look for.

 

[JayBirdie88]

Look for something heavy on the port side

Nothing heavy on port side. Besides if there was something heavy it would list all the time, right? Not just on plane.

 

[JayBirdie88]

Turn the outdrive's trim tab to starboard. Trial and error.

Trim tab adjustment both ways. Has no effect.

 

[Stinnett21]

In boating terms a hook refers to a downward turn in the bottom of a boat usually near the transom. Most common in outboard aluminum boats that are trailered. Especially those sold on trailers that are too short and do not support the transom. It can, however, occur in glass boats also. Place a long straight edge along the bottom in various locations to check.

 

[Stinnett21]

Not trying to question your knowledge but you state the hull is dry and no extra weight. How was this determined?

 

[Stinnett21]

A right hand prop will naturally twist a boat to port. This is why driver positions are on the right.

 

[harringtondav]

My 2022 Regal 1900ESX 250 hp tends to do the same. Mostly on hole shots where I also suspect prop torque. Once on a plane with only my light wife it levels out.
With passengers it is constant. I reckon it's the aft/port wrap around bench with open swim platform walk through aft starboard, and maybe the FasTrac hull. The hull performs as claimed, up and level fast. But I think once on a plane it's more sensitive to weight distribution.
Getting my wife's girl pals out of that aft corner and up in the bow seats is impossible. If there is a dude on board he is a chunky copilot.
The only cure I've found is a 40 mph plane, but the gals, led by the wife, complain. So I go with a happy life and crank the wheel right and live with it.
...I've pondered a single port trim tab, but the the list aggravation hasn't justified, yet.

 

[jimmbo]

 

[Scott Danforth]

being a 1988, I guarantee there is wet foam in it on the port side unless you just did a restoration. there probably is also a hook

did you drill-test the stringers on the port-side of the bilge?

 

[Stinnett21]

being a 1988, I guarantee there is wet foam in it on the port side unless you just did a restoration. there probably is also a hook

did you drill-test the stringers on the port-side of the bilge?

I wondered the same but he states it floats level at rest.

 

[dingbat]

Nature of the beast....helm adjustable trim tabs negate the effect on my boat

 

[JimS123]

Trim tab adjustment both ways. Has no effect.

That doesn't add up either. Over the range of a full tab adjustment you should see a significant difference in the torque on the steering wheel. Do you have power steering?

 

[Stinnett21]

That doesn't add up either. Over the range of a full tab adjustment you should see a significant difference in the torque on the steering wheel. Do you have power steering?

Steering wheel yes but he's concerned with listing. I'm not sure they correlate.

 

[JimS123]

Steering wheel yes but he's concerned with listing. I'm not sure they correlate.

Yes, of course it wouldn't effect listing to a large degree. But he said "no effect". I would certainly think there would be a noticeable effect. That made me think maybe we are not talking about the same "trim tab".

 

[jimmbo]

There is an Engine Trim Tab, and there Transom Trim Tabs. I rarely(never) think of the one on the Motor. Two of my motors didn't have them, or I had taken it off.

 

[JimS123]

There is an Engine Trim Tab, and there Transom Trim Tabs. I rarely(never) think of the one on the Motor. Two of my motors didn't have them, or I had taken it off.

If you have power steering the engine usually has the zinc anode flat with no tab included. If no power steering and the tab is centered the boat will steer heavy toward port and you will not be able to let the wheel go. But, with the proper adjustment the steering wheel will have neutral torque.

Other than boats with small HP and a tiller motor, I have adjusted every boat I ever owned to provide a comfortable handling.

Now, un-adjusted I'm not sure how much list there will be because I never looked. Nevertheless, if its a right hand prop and the tab is not turned somewhat to port it can't be good.