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Author Topic:   Weather Helm

Powergroove803 posted 05-05-2014 09:33 AM ET (US)
New engine on boat so [the engine is] in the break-in period and finally getting to where [the engine] can run at high RPM. I have noticed at lower speeds I have a pretty firm pull to the right but this eases off to almost neutral at higher speeds. Adjust the trim tab? Adjust motor position at lower speeds? What is the answer here?
ConB posted 05-05-2014 02:24 PM ET (US)
Reef sooner.
Teak Oil posted 05-05-2014 06:40 PM ET (US)
The motor is probably mounted too low, enhancing the effect called torque steer.
You can adjust the tab behind the prop and see if it helps. It can't hurt
tedious posted 05-06-2014 09:22 AM ET (US)
Tighten the forestay, slack the mainstay.
Tim
jimh posted 05-06-2014 01:09 PM ET (US)
Yes, take a reef in the mainsail. You know the old saying: the best time to reef is when you first think about a reef.
Powergroove803 posted 05-07-2014 02:29 PM ET (US)
I guess I opened myself open to that one...
Torque Steer
Got it!
jimh posted 05-07-2014 03:08 PM ET (US)
Re Boston Whaler boats and their behavior in wind:
I have noticed that my Boston Whaler boat tends to lean into the wind if there is a cross wind. I was rather surprised by this, but then an explanation was provided, which I have found to be plausible: the Whaler hull lists into the direction of a cross wind because you are giving the helm some turn into the wind to keep the boat tracking straight.
To be clear, if the wind is blowing from the West, and I am traveling North in a Boston Whaler, the hull tends to list to Port. This is believed to be a result of having a bit of left turn applied to the helm to compensate for the windage on the boat blowing it to leeward (or EAST in the example above).
As for steering torque, see the owner's manual:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/manual18-25/operations. html#trimTab
and
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/ reference/ manual9-17/ operations.html#trimTab

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Author	Topic: Weather Helm
Powergroove803	posted 05-05-2014 09:33 AM ET (US) New engine on boat so [the engine is] in the break-in period and finally getting to where [the engine] can run at high RPM. I have noticed at lower speeds I have a pretty firm pull to the right but this eases off to almost neutral at higher speeds. Adjust the trim tab? Adjust motor position at lower speeds? What is the answer here?
ConB	posted 05-05-2014 02:24 PM ET (US) Reef sooner.
Teak Oil	posted 05-05-2014 06:40 PM ET (US) The motor is probably mounted too low, enhancing the effect called torque steer. You can adjust the tab behind the prop and see if it helps. It can't hurt
tedious	posted 05-06-2014 09:22 AM ET (US) Tighten the forestay, slack the mainstay. Tim
jimh	posted 05-06-2014 01:09 PM ET (US) Yes, take a reef in the mainsail. You know the old saying: the best time to reef is when you first think about a reef.
Powergroove803	posted 05-07-2014 02:29 PM ET (US) I guess I opened myself open to that one... Torque Steer Got it!
jimh	posted 05-07-2014 03:08 PM ET (US) Re Boston Whaler boats and their behavior in wind: I have noticed that my Boston Whaler boat tends to lean into the wind if there is a cross wind. I was rather surprised by this, but then an explanation was provided, which I have found to be plausible: the Whaler hull lists into the direction of a cross wind because you are giving the helm some turn into the wind to keep the boat tracking straight. To be clear, if the wind is blowing from the West, and I am traveling North in a Boston Whaler, the hull tends to list to Port. This is believed to be a result of having a bit of left turn applied to the helm to compensate for the windage on the boat blowing it to leeward (or EAST in the example above). As for steering torque, see the owner's manual: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/manual18-25/operations. html#trimTab and http://continuouswave.com/whaler/ reference/ manual9-17/ operations.html#trimTab