Just prop wash?

[New 30 owner]

I recently purchased a 1985 Catalina 30 tall rig. I have noticed that under power the Edson wheel wants to pull very significantly to port. Is this normal prop wash for this model??? I had a Hunter 27 with wheel steering and there was nothing like this.

 

[Bob Stephens]

Prop Wash

I own a 1987 Catalina 30 and have always had significant prop wash under power also! I seem to remember reading at least several articals relating to this problem. Some 30's have it and some don't. Over the years it has just turned into a minor inconvenience. From what I know it's just one of those things we have to live with.

 

[Jim]

same here

I've found the same with my '88 C-30. It is a shoal draft, anyone know if it affects the prop wash?

 

[Stan Rogacevicz]

Prop Walk is the Real Issue

The paddle wheel affect of the prop causes "prop walk" of the stern to starboard in forward and port in reverse. The wash from the prop is actually helping stear you but the stern being walked to starboard causes the bow to point to port. You can use it to your advantage when doing a quick U-turn by allways turning to port because the prop will push your stern around for you. When backing out of my slip to starboard if have to fight it every time. The method I use is to gun it with the wheel only slightly turned to starboard, then when I am almost clear of my slip, throttle down, hit neutral, crank the wheel to starboard, and coast through the turn so that the left prop walk won't interfere with making the right turn. Every time -Before- you shift just picture what the stern is going to do and try to adjust for it ahead of time.Stan"Christy Leigh"c320 #656

 

[Richard]

just a catalina feature

Both my old 27 and my current 30 will turn on a dime if you let go of the wheel/tiller under power!