Here’s a question for you boat experts: I bought an aluminum bay boat last year (2014 G3 Bay 18DLX) with a 115 Yamaha motor. At full throttle, the boat rides cocked slightly tilted to the left. I thought it might be due to prop rotation, but it would seem that clockwise prop rotation would make it tilt to the right. The load of gear in the boat is balanced, and the gas tank covers almost the entire width of the boat in the rear. Any ideas on how to correct this issue so the boat rides level?
Might check the anode on your motor to make sure it is tight and straight.
Transducer drag? That’s a lightweight boat and I would think it wouldn’t take much to disrupt the balance. Even a 30-40# bag in a locker on one side can cause some boats to lean. My Whaler leaned if the battery in the rear was just 6" off center. I think weight at the transom, and transom drags have a much larger affect as well. I would focus on the rear and try to find something out of balance, or dragging.
Another thought is that at WOT, with that large a motor, you may have less running surface in the water than the hull was designed to have. That hull may have been designed to have the rear sit deeper while under way to keep it stable, and you have pushed it beyond its design making it rock back over to the chine. Some boats just get squarely when run hard. Might just need to get used to it, or back off the throttle a bit. Some different props that pull the transom down might also give a better ride.
Just throwing out lots of options.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Clockwise prop rotation will make the boat tilt to the left. IMHO.
ZX
Is it cockeyed when throttling up to plane, and is it cockeyed at all speeds when on plane?
quote:
Originally posted by GeronimoMy Whaler leaned if the battery in the rear was just 6" off center. I think weight at the transom, and transom drags have a much larger affect as well. I would focus on the rear and try to find something out of balance, or dragging.
Good thought. My battery IS on the left side in the rear. Nowhere else to put it.
quote:
Originally posted by tanksgtClockwise prop rotation will make the boat tilt to the left. IMHO.
ZX
I thought if the prop rotation is clockwise, it would tend to push the rear to the left, making the front tend to push right. Am I thinking wrong about that? I didn’t do very well in physics.
quote:
Originally posted by HoppyIs it cockeyed when throttling up to plane, and is it cockeyed at all speeds when on plane?
Don’t know; just noticed it when up on plane and WOT. I’ll be out this weekend and will check.
Is your steering weight/effort equal in both directions?
If yes, then your torque fin above the prop is probably close to correct.
If no, then loosen that little fin and turn it a little to one side. If your steering is more balanced, did it fix your tracking?
If your steering is further out of balance, turn the other way.
And, as others have said, it a boat that size and weight, a little weight will make a big difference.
17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25
quote:
I thought if the prop rotation is clockwise, it would tend to push the rear to the left, making the front tend to push right.
No, opposite.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
Originally posted by PalmerScottIs your steering weight/effort equal in both directions?
If yes, then your torque fin above the prop is probably close to correct.
If no, then loosen that little fin and turn it a little to one side. If your steering is more balanced, did it fix your tracking?
If your steering is further out of balance, turn the other way.And, as others have said, it a boat that size and weight, a little weight will make a big difference.
I looked at the torque fin last weekend, thinking that might be the issue. I’ll try to pay attention to the steering balance this weekend. If it’s off, I’ll adjust the fin and see if it helps. It’s set one mark to the right of center now.
17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25
Prop turns right. Pushes down right. Lowers left side. Same as trim tabs
Tall Sail Marine
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker Larryquote:
I thought if the prop rotation is clockwise, it would tend to push the rear to the left, making the front tend to push right.
No, opposite.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
If it’s prop rotation, as you and loopervet suggest, how do you fix it? I don’t have trim tabs.
Another idea, look at the boat while tied up at the dock. Does it sit fairly level or lean towards one side? Also check to see if motor was mounted off center. Have seen a few boats around with motor slightl off center.
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
quote:
Originally posted by carolinacootAnother idea, look at the boat while tied up at the dock. Does it sit fairly level or lean towards one side? Also check to see if motor was mounted off center. Have seen a few boats around with motor slightl off center.
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
That’s way too simple a solution! Why didn’t I think of that?
2014 G3 Bay 18 DLX
115 Yamaha
quote:
Have seen a few boats around with motor slightly off center.
Me too. Some more than slightly. Also seen them mounted crooked.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
I have a similar boat but a Duracraft. 1860 bay boat with a 115 Merc Optimax. Mine is really sensitive to weight and have to balance it or otherwise it will lean. Often this means putting a heavier adult on the right side to balance out the kicker motor on the left with my son on that side. Took me a while to figure it out but now even when I go shrimping I know just how to place all the bear and people so the boat rides even. Just had to spend some time on the water playing with diff setups.
Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I hope to get the boat out on the water this weekend and will check out all the possible causes for its left-leaning tendencies. Will report back when I think I have a resolution.
2014 G3 Bay 18 DLX
115 Yamaha
If it has Left leaning tendencies, it might be a Democrat:smiley: Just funnin there ronhenry23, couldn’t pass it up. Hope you get it figured out soon!
It’s almost always weight related.
Tall Sail Marine