Steering

[Tinnmann]

I am new to the tugnuts and to the cutwater boats,,so here goes I hope someone has an answer for me
my question is when I am driving the boat and we are doing 15+ knots
the steering to the starboard side becomes very difficult to turn the wheel while turning to port is very easy,,
this only happens when we are going fast, as slow speeds the steering is very easy in both directions

I am being told this is normal can anyone confirm this for me
I have a cutwater 30ft

 

[Connerkip]

Yes, this is normal and a result of prop wash.

 

[BB marine]

This is normal . It is a combination of the prop wash hitting the rudder and prop walk. The prop is a right hand rotation prop which causes the stern to walk to starboard and bow to port in forward thrust. You don't really notice this has it is corrected with the rudder. When running slow there isn't has much force from the prop wash hitting the rudder so the wheel turns easily. When going faster the prop wash pressure is greater and the prop walk is greater making it hard to turn to starboard. This is common on any single screw boat and more pronounced in singles with larger rudders and larger props.
Brian Brown
Cutwater 26
PORT-A-GEE

 

[captstu]

This is normal and easily adjusted out with the trim tabs. Come to speed in an open area and trim both tabs nearly all the way down. Move one tab up about 3 or 4 clicks and see if it gets better or worse - if it gets worse, do the obvious.

I can trim the R-25 to go straight at almost any speed - but not with the same trim adjustments.

 

[YukonRon]

I can trim the R-25 to go straight at almost any speed - but not with the same trim adjustments.

So what trim adjustments do you use? Just redistribution of the weight in the boat?

 

[captstu]

Ron and/or Barb,

Sorry, one of the problems with bulletin boards as things are cleaning the writer may not be clear at all.

What I was trying to say is you can trim the boat to go straight at any speed but you may have to re-trim it if you change speeds.

Years ago I was on a delivery and the rudder failed. With some patience, I was able to maneuver the boat close enough to shore to pick up a tow using just the trim tabs.

I’ve practiced steering by our R-25 with the trim tabs. It isn’t very precise but it does work. Going straight it’s not nearly as hard.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

When I read the initial post the first thing that came to mind was that there may be air in the hydraulic steering system that is causing your condition. Obviously I don't have first hand experience with your boats situation and what has stated by others is probably spot on however it may be worth bleeding the steering system as an option, it can not hurt.

Jim F