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Steering Question Carolina Skiff
Posted on 9/27/17 at 4:37 pm
Posted on 9/27/17 at 4:37 pm
I bought an old 19ft flat bottom carolina skiff recently (2003 with 2004 4 stroke yamaha 80hp). Its tough to steer and right when I get to the sweet spot trimming it up (out) when running where it gets easy to steer, it starts hopping. Any thoughts or solutions appreciated.
4
Posted on 9/27/17 at 5:37 pm to Dlawnboy
Cable or hydrolic
If cable prolly have to replace
If cable prolly have to replace
Posted on 9/27/17 at 5:47 pm to Dlawnboy
is it hard to steer in both directions or is it harder to steer to the right?
If its only harder to steer to the right then first check to see if the tourqe/trim tab is above the prop (I have had them fall off) and if so then try adjusting it. This counteracts the rotation of the prop.
If its only harder to steer to the right then first check to see if the tourqe/trim tab is above the prop (I have had them fall off) and if so then try adjusting it. This counteracts the rotation of the prop.
Posted on 9/27/17 at 9:06 pm to Mmackl1
If cable steering put the Baystar system on it and you will be pleased
Posted on 9/28/17 at 6:01 am to Dlawnboy
If cable check torque tab and adjust. It will always be harder turning opposite the rotation of the prop and smooth out when at the proper trim.
If hydraulic then check the system or replace.
As for the proposing that is the prop slipping when trying to lift the boat as you trim up. On a simple boat like that you can move weight around as a bandaid to the problem. To fix you need to reduce the prop slip by going to a reputable prop shop and getting your prop worked. You can get cup added but since yours is so old I'm sure it's worn down. Bringing it back to its original specs should work. If all else fails then the prop isn't right for that hull and you need a new one. I'm sure some prop work will get it back right for you situation
ETA: if you motor is too high or low it will make it bounce and/or hard to steer (too low). Adjusting the height on the transom fixes this or install a jackplate
If hydraulic then check the system or replace.
As for the proposing that is the prop slipping when trying to lift the boat as you trim up. On a simple boat like that you can move weight around as a bandaid to the problem. To fix you need to reduce the prop slip by going to a reputable prop shop and getting your prop worked. You can get cup added but since yours is so old I'm sure it's worn down. Bringing it back to its original specs should work. If all else fails then the prop isn't right for that hull and you need a new one. I'm sure some prop work will get it back right for you situation
ETA: if you motor is too high or low it will make it bounce and/or hard to steer (too low). Adjusting the height on the transom fixes this or install a jackplate
This post was edited on 9/28/17 at 6:04 am
Posted on 9/28/17 at 8:29 am to SeaPickle
Its Cable. Unhooked the cables and checked the rods, all clean. Easy to turn the motor with the steering wheel while its out of the water which led me to believe its not the steering cables. Its definitely harder to steer to the left on the water. Brought it to the shop to get GPS put in and asked about it, good ole boy said, "That's just how those boats are". I can't imagine that is the case. That sweet spot of trimming up to get to easy steering just isn't there. Right when it gets there, its start porpoising. Boat came with 2 props. May put the other one on and just see what happens. Motor did have one of these on it when I got it that I took off.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 10:07 am to Mmackl1
quote:
If its only harder to steer to the right then first check to see if the tourqe/trim tab is above the prop (I have had them fall off) and if so then try adjusting it. This counteracts the rotation of the prop.
This is exactly where to start.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 10:30 am to Dlawnboy
The "whale Tail" is a bandaid for a bad prop/set up.
1) Take off the whale tail - this could be causing the steering torque especially if motor is too low
2) check torque tab and adjust accordingly
3) Bring prop to get freshened up for $40
4) Raise motor so that anti caviation plate is just out the water when on plane.
4a) a motor that is too low will be hard to steer
where are you located? i have a good prop guy down here
1) Take off the whale tail - this could be causing the steering torque especially if motor is too low
2) check torque tab and adjust accordingly
3) Bring prop to get freshened up for $40
4) Raise motor so that anti caviation plate is just out the water when on plane.
4a) a motor that is too low will be hard to steer
where are you located? i have a good prop guy down here
This post was edited on 9/28/17 at 10:32 am
Posted on 9/28/17 at 10:49 am to Dlawnboy
I had a 16ft CS that had the same issues. First I installed a whale tail to stop the porpoising, which it did. It also had a positive affect on the steering, but did not completely eliminate the problem. I watched a youtube video on adjusting the trim tab and that fixed the steering problem.
The guy that told you, "they just do that", is partially right. Even though the trim tab corrected the pulling/tracking problem, it still took considerable effort to pull it out of a tight high speed turn. That's due to the flat bottom design. I don't know about the newer skiffs, but the old ones would slide sideways in a high speed turn. So when steering out of those turns you are working against the force imposed by the fishtailing or sliding of the hull. I found if I had to make a tight high speed turn (like when I was navigating a shallow bayou where I had to stay on a plane) if I would back the throttle down just a little going into the turn, the fishtailing force was greatly reduced. I can't really explain what was happening except to say that it felt like the change it speed caused the edge of the hull to bite the water and kill the fishtail. Made it a lot easier to steer out of the turn, and I never came off a plane.
The guy that told you, "they just do that", is partially right. Even though the trim tab corrected the pulling/tracking problem, it still took considerable effort to pull it out of a tight high speed turn. That's due to the flat bottom design. I don't know about the newer skiffs, but the old ones would slide sideways in a high speed turn. So when steering out of those turns you are working against the force imposed by the fishtailing or sliding of the hull. I found if I had to make a tight high speed turn (like when I was navigating a shallow bayou where I had to stay on a plane) if I would back the throttle down just a little going into the turn, the fishtailing force was greatly reduced. I can't really explain what was happening except to say that it felt like the change it speed caused the edge of the hull to bite the water and kill the fishtail. Made it a lot easier to steer out of the turn, and I never came off a plane.
This post was edited on 9/28/17 at 10:51 am
Posted on 9/28/17 at 11:01 am to SeaPickle
Boat is in Dulac. I took the "whale tail" first thing when I got it. Did also add troll motor and 2 batteries to front of boat. Not sure if that messed with the balance also. Thanks for the info. Got some starting spots.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 12:20 pm to Dlawnboy
Make sure you motor is mounted at the correct height. The cavitation plate should be right above the bottom of the boat.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 12:35 pm to Dlawnboy
My prop guy is in houma off of 311. He will work that prop for $40 and have it back to you the next day if you decide you want to give that a try.
I can give you his number if you want.
The weight to the front does mess with the bouncing. Think of the boat as a lever with the transom as the fulcrum. the more weight you add to the front the harder it is to lift about the transom. The prop is tring to lift 2 batteries and trolling motor and it is slipping and the boat is "falling" (bouncing)
I can give you his number if you want.
The weight to the front does mess with the bouncing. Think of the boat as a lever with the transom as the fulcrum. the more weight you add to the front the harder it is to lift about the transom. The prop is tring to lift 2 batteries and trolling motor and it is slipping and the boat is "falling" (bouncing)
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:44 pm to SeaPickle
Thanks. Would like his number.
Posted on 9/29/17 at 8:43 am to Dlawnboy
whats your email? i dont want to post his number on a public forum
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