Excessive helm under power- oday 27

[FredrikEdwards]

Recently purchased a 1975 O'Day 27 with Atomic 4 inboard and when I moved her to new birth when under power there was excessive helm on tiller when powered in forward... is that typical or did prior owner replace with wrong prop... tiller wants to move hard to starboard.... when in neutral and reverse the helm feels balanced...????

 

[Ray T]

Exessive helm

What you are experiencing is normal with an inboard and the prop on center. You need to find the best rpms on the engine to give you optimal cruising speed. It will be apparent when your engine seems to be loafing along and the boat is moving at almost maximum speed. any more rpms and the boat starts to squat in the stern, any less rpms and the boat will slow down. You have way more power available than you need except in strong headwinds and steep waves. The slower you run the engine the less helm you will have. Good sailing, Ray T

 

[FredrikEdwards]

Thanks Ray

I had a full keel 34 ft Swedish racing sloop that had an inboard, but the prop was center above rudder with no prop wash or helm issues. I figured it was normal but I was not sure. Now I know why wheel steering is used. I must have over powered the throttle because the stern was squatting... My knotmeter wasn't working nor do I have a GPS to check my speed... next time I'll tweak the throttle...

Thanks,
Fredrik

 

[nightowle]

same on my 27

I have a similar O Day 27 and have a heavy feel to the tiller under power. It can be even more noticeable on other boats of similar size I've sailed with the A 4 and tiller.