C28 pulls to port when motoring

[Stewart]

Along with the regular port prop walk while in reverse, our 2000 C28 MK2 pulls to port when motoring in forward. The load on the wheel typically increases as the RPM's go up. We did not buy the boat new, and didn't really concern ourselves with the problem until we installed an autopilot this spring. The autopilot works great under sail, but while motoring, it has a hard time dealing with the load on the wheel.Has anybody experienced this problem or know a solution? Any help would be much appreciated

 

[Dave Slepoy]

PROPWASH TO PORT

I own a 1991 Catalina 28 and I have been on 2 other 28's...THEY ALL DO IT !! I have never seen a solution but 2 years ago someone did refer to a autohelm that worked well with the problem. I feel that it is a result of the distance from the prop to the rudder, this is less on other Catalina models ( just my guess ). If someone can solve it they could sell the solution to a lot of people. Dave

 

[kenneth]

propwalk to port

Our 28 goes to one side under power too, but the autopilot (raytheon 4000) seems to deal with it ok. I don't know what autopilot you're using, we've found that the autopilot had trouble dealing with anything at all until we set it to hydraulic (rather than mechanical) steering; all of our steering and course problems went away.If your boat has that much pull that the AP doesn't overcome it, you may want to check your rudder bearings or (stupid suggestion, but I've been guilty of it) that your wheel brake is off!Kenneth