Crooked boat. Leans to the left

[Lavish]

My boat has a lean to it. I weigh about 240, my boy about 210. The boat leans to his side. Now the only thing off balance in that direction is the gas tank is on that side. But that doesn't seam right...My weight should offset that, and the battery is opposite of the gas tank too....

When we next next to each other it leans. He (or I) have to sit in the middle, and to to the driver;s side a hair.....

This was noticable after I changed to a new out drive. BTW my boat is a 1975 Mercruiser 140 I/O horse 17.5' open bow type ski type boat. I'm not sure what you call the style. Now I also did not get much time on it before this, so I don't know if it changed after that? But I also didn't install the hydrofoil on my new drive. It plans out great as is.

Does the trim tab affect this or just steering? What could cause the lean?

Also when he was driving today, when he would let go of the steering wheel, it didn't go straight at about 3000-3500 rpm's it would go to the right when he would let go. I need to drive again to see how it responds.

Again any idea's? Maybe these problems are related?

 

[duped]

Re: Crooked boat. Leans to the left

You can get some hydraulic trim tabs to correct the lean. It's normal. The prop pulls the starboard side up as it's spinning.

If the boat drafts crooked sitting still it's a weight balance issue.

You can adjust the trim tab on the drive to help stop the pulling to the right, but I would say you probobly shouldn't be driving hands free at 3500 rpm anyways, nor would any boat track straight at that speed.

 

[Lavish]

Re: Crooked boat. Leans to the left

Ok thanks. I'll take note of how it floats.

Maybe that's why I never noticed the pull, because I don't drive hands free..lol.
He just mentioned it as he demonstrated by letting go of the wheel.

Yes trim tabs. Those look like they'd be an awesome improvement to the boat! I do want some, maybe I'll install them over the winter. Thanks!