Boat makes wide turns.

[brpesa]

Hi
Have 27' luhrs single screw with direct drive and to me seems like it makes wide turn when I turn wheel in to one side.When I leaving or coming to dock have a little bit of trouble.I don't know if it has to be like that or maybe I used to out drives because I had twin maxum before this one.
Anyways it doesn't respond on steering like I think it should, so here is picture of prop and rudder position,to me looks like the rudder is not properly align with prop.In to reverse is even worst very poor steering. Doesn't rudder it self looks short in the back and leaning toward back more then it should.
Any opinion and help apprisiated

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

Kinda looks bent back to me.... Do you transport it that close to the ground? sure looks like it would hit.

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

Prop torque makes it feel like it turns one way more than the other.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

I'm no expert, but that rudder doesn't look right to me, either. Looks like the shaft is bent.

Also what Don S said. Going from a twin-screw I/O to a single inboard is a big change. For low speed maneuvering and backing, your setup (single inboard with rudder steering) is the toughest, especially if that Luhrs is one of their common flybridge models. Lots of sail area for the wind to catch.

My Dad had a 25' Luhrs single screw sportfisherman and he'd spend hours practicing his docking maneuvers in all kinds of weather. He got pretty good at it, but it took a lot of work.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

Bent shaft seems to me. Doubt that you can be happy with a single screw after having duals. That's been the problem with true inboards all along as compared to OB or IO. On the former you attempt to deflect prop wash, on the later you direct thrust.

Mark

 

[rallyart]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

That rudder looks like it has had an extension added to it and it does look bent back. If it's all working properly an inboard should run on a dime in forward. In reverse it never will as the rudder is sized to have the prop 'flow' past it and the spinning torque of the rudder has more affect than the rudder at very slow speeds. Find a good Luhrs to see what is different. Take the time to learn what the inboard does really well and what it won't.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

Rudder does look bent but a single screw will never even come close to handling as well as twin i/o's in forward and forget trying to control it in reverse. You need to back up then put it in forward to change the angle you want to back up in then put it in reverse again. Luhrs is a really solid boat (heavy) to begin with which makes it all the harder to maneuver with just one prop.

 

[brpesa]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

Thanks all
Yes definitely from twin I/O to single with rudder is big change,reason why I did it I wanted a fishing boat with less maintenance and expenses.
I am not sure if shaft is bent or the whole thing is instal wrong, or rudder it self is not for this boat.Boat is 1988 27' luhrs Alura. Just bought this boat 2 months ago take her out 3 times and notice that not handling good.
When we load boat on the trailer that I bought after I bought boat, we did it on the ramp and I didn't know how deep rudder is when truck start pulling boat out I heard rudder scraping on the ground so it's possible that got bent then a little. Even bottom got cracked around rudder but on the pictures you can see its being repaired before so I'm not sure what is going on here.
From upper side in the bilge all looks good no cracks or bent parts.
Does anyone know how difficult is going to be repair these cracks on the bottom?I didn't open it up yet don't know what is under. How hard is to find another rudder for this boat and where can I find it if needed?

Thanks

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

I'd say it has already been "fixed" once... might pay an hour or two of labor to get a professional to look it over and give you an idea of what is actually needed... ALSO... get that trailer raised up... put axles under springs if not already,,, get taller tires... adjust bunks higher or replace with thicker wood.... something, or you will be doing this repair repeatedly

 

[brpesa]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

First time trailering boat I guess have to learn a hard way. Will raise the bunks and probably put double wood 2x6 to make it higher.and next time won't go on the ramp.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

Ok, well, the first place you need to ask this questios is here Luhrs Owner's Forum

The rudder may not be out of alignment at all. It depends on the boat, the boats set-up and how you want it to ride as in when you are underway. Some are toed in some are toed out. I would recommend going to the above site and talk with people that know your boat and its characteristics. Yes going from twin screws to a single with rudder can be challenging but not all single are hard to steer. Flanking rudders for one, you can turn on a dime. Good luck.

 

[Part-time]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

Maybe add a stern or bow thruster...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

I was gonna also suggest looking into trollin tabs

 

[brpesa]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

I actually have one hydraulic stern thruster mounted on and works good. But still boat not responding right when you don't need thruster.
It's like I turn wheel in to left side and boat almost going straight and wheel is turned like close to 3/4 way.
I think that water that prop is pushing back is not hitting rudder on the right spot it's like going under rudder,if you look at the picture you can see position of the prop against rudder looks weird.
So I don't know what to do or where to start and this rudder looks like its being modified already. I was googling but can't find pictures of any other Alura 27' to see position of theirs rudder.

Thanks

 

[Ned L]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

I would DEFINITELY have someone look at it. The rudder has certainly been 'modified' (and may not even be of the original design), and yes, either the rudder post is bent and/or the rudder stuffing box is ripping out of the bottom of the boat (that cracked fiberglass is a structural concern, not cosmetic). It also looks like the rudder is now a good bit farther away from the prop than it should be.

I believe 1988 is before the "Luhrs" name was bought back by the Luhrs family (John & Warren), so the Luhrs company today may not be able to help you much on this, but I would check with them.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

The rudder is not getting the correct prop wash. Way too far back. Should be just enough room to get the prop off with a bit of maneuvering. If your redoing it I would mount it so you can get the shaft out without removing the rudder.

 

[brpesa]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

Today I took all apart and solve the mystery.If you look at the picture you'll see everything.
Looks like some idiots was replacing this whole thing before and install all wrong. Shaft looks bent but I think it supposed to be like that,because when is mounted on rudder all looks good.
But the shaft stuffing box is install totally out of the alignment,got to be total idiot to do job like this! It's moved way to much to starboard side and leaning forward that's why rudder is pushed back.
And all cracked bottom around don't look so bad now,because was just filler that was stuffed to fill that hole.
Will have to take all out and reinstall everything.I hope all will turn to be good.

Thanks

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

The rudder being mounted off center is intentional. The prop torque pulls the stern of the boat to the port on your boat. Therefore it has a tendancy to turn the boat to the starboard more when moving forward. With the rudder off center to the port it will counteract this tendancy.

The shaft is bent. You wouldn't even be able to make a shaft like that if you wanted to.

The stuffing box/rudder shaft log may also be deformed/canted rearward. Pull it off and look at it closely. I would gueas it is supposed to mount flat in the recessed area of the hull. It is supposed come trough that surface at a 90 degree angle.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

actually I believe the reason the rudder is mounted off center is so that the prop shaft can be removed without pulling the rudder

otherwise agree... looks like you have a bunch of bent parts....

As I indicated before I think you should strongly consider getting a professional to examine it and advise you after being able to look at it first hand..... an hour or so of labor to look at it isn't gonna break the bank but could save you in the long run.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Boat makes wide turns.

Off center Only "LOOKS" bad. Just far enough to get shaft out will not be a problem. You can fine tune any pull with 1/2 zinc on one side of the rudder. The stearn of any boat will pulled the way the prop is turning. outboards ect use a tab. So can you. Hint to make a tight U turn turn right.