kenwood714
Cadet
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2005
- Messages
- 6
I have a 82 model Charger Bass boat. It came with a 85hp Chrysler motor that worked for me just great up to the point that it ran with no water pressure. Ouch. I bought a 97 model Mercury motor from a friend of mine and installed it myself. What a difference. It has a 21 pitch four blade prop and a 5.5 inch off set jack plate as well. I have a problem with the steering, it pulls hard to the left at slower speeds (10-45 mph). I have the trim tab adjusted as far as possible and at 5100 rpm with it trimmed up I can find a happy medium. If I trim higher it starts to go right and trim lower its back to pulling hard left. The old motor had no pull either way, it turned fine. On a side note my buddy said it was hard to steer on his boat and since we put a Yamaha 150 on his Champion it steers like a dream. Hence one would say the Mercury is the culprit. I have looked at the skeg closely and no signs of any damage. The motor looks like it has 10 hours on it, like new. Could it just be motor torque and I have to get used to it? I have only had the boat out 4 times since the install and I could tweak some more jack plate but I have it about 1 inch above the bottom and I have had it lower but has not seemed to effect the steering at all. I can live with it because Im back on the water. It just that when I let my wife drive it wears her out, and get scary at high speed. <br /> I have double checked the mounting. I used a transom jig and it measures dead center and straight. I have got to be over looking something, but on the other hand. First motor swap for me and new motor. Any ideas? 
<br /><br />Thanks, Ken
<br /><br />Thanks, Ken