Boat listing to Starboard-please help

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Boat listing to Starboard-please help

John_s just posted what I was thinking: the possibility of the motor mounted off center. However, if the original mounting holes are being used, its doubtful it would have come from the factory that way. If it did, the problem would have existed when new and fixed under warranty.

However, OP, check how the motor is mounted. If you see unused holes or there is the possibility of side to side adjustment, check centerline futher.

 

[Slow Ride]

Re: Boat listing to Starboard-please help

I had a similar issue a few years ago on a Champion 23vt bay boat. In the end we discovered that the transom holes had been reused but somewhere along the way the holes were hollowed out. I suspect this was due to improper torquing of the bolts. They were probably loose and just wore out the holes to a slightly larger diameter. Ultimately this allowed the motor to lean to one side due to engine torque. (I cant remember which way) This cause the boat to list badly to starboard at plaining speed. Its a long shot but you may want to check this or as mentioned by out other friends, just make sure the motor is sitting perpendicular to the transom. Mine was only off a few degrees and was almost unnoticeable to the eye until the local shop pointed it out to me.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Boat listing to Starboard-please help

Although everyone is making some great suggestions, I'd step back a couple of steps, and start with the really simple, really obvious before going into the engineering of boat design and motor specs. The Force was original to the boat, and it would be incredibly unlikely that it was mounted off center/out of plumb, etc., and never corrected over the last 20 years.

I had a '94 16' Bayliner, and it was very picky about weight distribution. Which side is the battery on? Should be on the port side. If it isn't, move it. If you have a portable fuel tank, is it located on the centerline? If not, move it. Even things like the anchor location may cause a list to some degree.

Are you noticing this when you're alone? Move yourself to the centerline of the boat. If it's with passengers as well, calculate weights, and tell people where they get to sit for the ride.

Then move on to the next easiest checklist, and go from there. Good luck.