When I sail my "new" 381 (1996) with de engine (VOLVO MD22)the boat turns right very "strongly". If you let it go on its own, it finish making circles clocwise after 100 or 200 m. As soon as you leave the wheel it begins to go to the right. "Sailing" wiht the sails nothing cgoes wrong and the 381 goes perfect. Any help ??? Thank you. Nicolas
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possible start
I have a hunter, but maybe this will help. I have cable run wheel steering on my boat and developed a slight pull to starboard while under power. What I discovered was one of my steering cables was a bit looser than the other allowing some rudder play. To the best of my knowledge, all boats under power will have a tendency to pull a little to starboard due to prop motion. In my case this was exaggerated by the loose cable. If you have cable steering, check your cables. If you have hydraulic steering, your lines may need to be bled of air, but I don't know enough to offer suggestions beyond that.
I have a hunter, but maybe this will help. I have cable run wheel steering on my boat and developed a slight pull to starboard while under power. What I discovered was one of my steering cables was a bit looser than the other allowing some rudder play. To the best of my knowledge, all boats under power will have a tendency to pull a little to starboard due to prop motion. In my case this was exaggerated by the loose cable. If you have cable steering, check your cables. If you have hydraulic steering, your lines may need to be bled of air, but I don't know enough to offer suggestions beyond that.
Propeller position?
Hello Nicolas, Thank you for your challenge! We have had to deal with this kind of problem in the past and we have found that if we repositioned the location of the propeller by either reducing the overall shaft length or, easiest, increasing the shaft length you alter the disturbed water and where it impacts the rudder. By placing a spacer between the coupling halves you move the propeller aft thus changing the point the spilled energy, off the propeller, impacts the rudder. Spacer you can use is a 910-020 R&D flexible coupling which is 1.28” thick. (sorry to suggest the purchase of a product to you but in your case, short of replacing a $400.00 shaft, you do not have many options. ) There are some metal spacers that are sold but somewhat difficult to find, one that comes to mind is Spurs Marine in Ft. Lauderdale. I believe that their spacer is 1” thick. Hope this all helps. Kevin
Hello Nicolas, Thank you for your challenge! We have had to deal with this kind of problem in the past and we have found that if we repositioned the location of the propeller by either reducing the overall shaft length or, easiest, increasing the shaft length you alter the disturbed water and where it impacts the rudder. By placing a spacer between the coupling halves you move the propeller aft thus changing the point the spilled energy, off the propeller, impacts the rudder. Spacer you can use is a 910-020 R&D flexible coupling which is 1.28” thick. (sorry to suggest the purchase of a product to you but in your case, short of replacing a $400.00 shaft, you do not have many options. ) There are some metal spacers that are sold but somewhat difficult to find, one that comes to mind is Spurs Marine in Ft. Lauderdale. I believe that their spacer is 1” thick. Hope this all helps. Kevin
Learn to Live with It
Nicholas Brian's right when he says: all boats under power will have a tendency to pull a little to starboard due to prop motion. It's simple because of the rotation of the prop. Of course it doesn't happen when you're sailing because the engine's off. Don't waste a penny on it. Learn to live with it. In fact, if you check the archives here on "prop walk" you'll find some very handy uses for it, both in forward and reverse. Stu
Nicholas Brian's right when he says: all boats under power will have a tendency to pull a little to starboard due to prop motion. It's simple because of the rotation of the prop. Of course it doesn't happen when you're sailing because the engine's off. Don't waste a penny on it. Learn to live with it. In fact, if you check the archives here on "prop walk" you'll find some very handy uses for it, both in forward and reverse. Stu
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