Port to Starboard issues

[ddrieck]

Hey all,
When running my 1985 Thompson Cutlass at idle or just bit above idle in a no wake zone the boat will go port to starboard without any input from me at the wheel. Need to know if that is a normal condition with a stern drive or if something may be out of adjustment or worn out.

 

[gm280]

Can't say about your particular boat, but I had similar issues with my Bass boat just idling above idle to keep any wake(s) at bay. So maybe it is boats in general. I am sure others will chime in and verify or not...

 

[Rick Stephens]

A v-hull thing. They hunt at low speeds. I always thought it was the hull switching back and forth chines on left side or right side. I added Smart Tabs to my similar sized boat and that solved quite a bit of the wriggling.

 

[Fun Times]

Did this wandering around issue just seem to start all of a sudden? Maybe say after a service repair of some kind?

Is the boat new to you?

The engine have a power steering system/pump?

If there's power steering, 'With the engine on, carefully try turning the actual Stern_Drive to see if the drive either stays in place or wants to move around a little or a lot.

If everything seems in working order (no swinging movement) then yes it can be considered normal as mentioned.

 

[ddrieck]

Did this wandering around issue just seem to start all of a sudden? Maybe say after a service repair of some kind?

Is the boat new to you?

The engine have a power steering system/pump?

If there's power steering, 'With the engine on, carefully try turning the actual Stern_Drive to see if the drive either stays in place or wants to move around a little or a lot.

If everything seems in working order (no swinging movement) then yes it can be considered normal as mentioned.

Yes, boat is new to me and its not a power steering issue as it doesn't have it. No play in the steering at all or any play/sloppiness in any of the hardware. I guess its just a normal stern drive issue.