Sharp turn to port

[David Garrison]

Hi. I recently purchased a 1986 Catalina 30SR. The boat is in great shape overall. There is one thing, however, that has me puzzled: if I let go of the wheel while under power (or sail), the boat makes a sharp turn to port. The boat continues to turn to port and would make a complete circle if I didn't grab the wheel. Is this normal behavior for a Catalina 30? If not, what might be causing this type of sharp turn to port?Thanks,Davids/v Kindred Spirit

 

[Bob Camarena]

Normal Under Power?

I have the same problem with my '81 C-30, but only under power, not under sail. Under sail, mine holds course quite well when I let go of the wheel. I've always assumed that it has to do with the prop-wash putting assymetrical pressure on the rudder. Are you sure about it under sail?

 

[David Garrison]

Well, hmmm....

Thanks for the reply Bob. Well, I have only had her out sailing once so far but have motored a few times. I thought I rembered the sharp turn under sail but now I'm thinking that may not be right.I understand about prop walk but I am suprised at the how sharp and forceful she is turning. I suppose that next time I am under power (or hopefully sailing!), I can let go of the wheel while in neutral and see what happens.Does anyone else experience this sharp a turn to port while under power? I think the prop is a 12/13 but I have not confirmed this myself.Thanks,Davids/v Kindred Spirit

 

[richard]

normal

I have had a catalina 27 and 30. They both will turn on a dime if you turn loose of the tiller or wheel under power. The severity of this turn must be a catalina design issue.Now if it does this under sail you have a different problem (rig tuning issue). If your sails are trimmed right you should be able to let go of the wheel and hold a decent course. Kind of hard to achieve, but then if the sails are close the boat should not make a radical turn if you let go of the wheel under sail.

 

[Stanley J. Rogacevicz]

Prop Walk

Prop Walk walks your stern to the right when in forward and to the left when in reverse. It's not a Catalina thing - All props except for the feathering AutoProps types have this problem. You can use it to your advantage if you want to make a U turn - allways turn to the left and you can spin it around on a dime.Stan"Christy Leigh"c320 #656

 

[Robert Moretti]

Prop walk

When I upgraded from a Grampian 26 with an outboard to a Catalina 30 with an inboard, I was surprised at the extent of the prop walk. But if you are still not convinced, put the transmission in forward and vary the engine RPM's. You should notice that the pull to left is stronger when RPM's are higher. Your prop doesn't sound particularly unusual in size or pitch.