Trim tab bent and boat pulling to left hard.

[cshirley]

My trim tab is bent some and I have it positioned straight-back from the boat (no angle). Its bent over a little and the boat pulls hard left on plane. Like, if I let go of the steering wheel it feels like it'll make a hard bank and nearly roll over. Kinda scares me with it being and old boat and if the steering cable snapped or something. When I am just cruising slowly it is fine, no pull at all. It's only when I'm at full speed on plane.

So my question is, can I pull the trim tab, put it in a vice and straighten it out or will it break?

 

[Splat]

Re: Trim tab bent and boat pulling to left hard.

You could try to bend it back, but it will prolly snap off.

How badly bent is it?

Have you tried to adjust it as is and run the boat? If the boat is pulling left you'll want the rear of the trim tab also left. Make small adjustments and try again. Repeat.

Bill

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Trim tab bent and boat pulling to left hard.

if its stainless steel you can take it off and have at er.
I'm not a body man but would put it on some plywood and carefully hit the crown then flip it over and so on and hey good therapy!

 

[cshirley]

Re: Trim tab bent and boat pulling to left hard.

I haven't tried adjusting it yet. It probably has a 1/2-3/4" bend in it. it's zinc I think, gray, definitely not stainless steel.

 

[QC]

Re: Trim tab bent and boat pulling to left hard.

Picture?

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Trim tab bent and boat pulling to left hard.

FYI

Zinc Anodes
Zinc anodes are placed on hulls, propeller shafts, rudders, trim tabs, outboard engines, stern drives, and in the cooling system of most inboard engines to protect their metal parts from galvanic corrosion

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Trim tab bent and boat pulling to left hard.

Just buy a new one, they only 10 bucks or so!

 

[Splat]

Re: Trim tab bent and boat pulling to left hard.

If it is zinc then its sacrificial anyways and just replace it.

Bill