steers to port

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r. gallagher

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Mar 18, 2007
86
Hunter 28.5 cedar creek lake, tx
I just noticed while out motoring yesterday that the boat steers to port when I release the wheel. I never noticed this before on my still new to me H28.5. Any thoughts on why this is? The boat had a complete survey done in June this year and was clean in and out. The prop is a two blade folding prop.
 
B

Benny

May be normal torque steer under power.

or it may be induced by a fouled prop. Shift to neutral and it should dissapear. If you have to overcorrect for more than 10-15 degrees to keep a straight course is not normal. If it continues in neutral or under balanced sails then you have issues with the rudder. Don't know about the 28.5 as some boats pull more than others.
 
S

S. Sauer

Release the Wheel?

Having sailed our deep keel 28.5 for 21 years, I can't imagine letting go of the wheel. She has a balanced spade rudder with the rudder shaft in the forward third of the rudder, but without a wheel lock 'on' letting go of the wheel would have the water flow push the rudder to one side or the other. I should say our rudder may be a little more sensitive, as I repaired a little 'slop' in the rudder movement by casting a graphite impregnated epoxy 'bearing' at the lower end and installed a couple zerk grease fittings to grease the lower end and also reinforced and re-bolted the upper nylon bearing supports. Even with the wheel locked and no sail up it will not hold a straight course as the windage or waves will start to influence your course. You may get other owner's responses specific to the 28.5 on: www.huntertwentyeightfive.com
 
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r. gallagher

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Mar 18, 2007
86
Hunter 28.5 cedar creek lake, tx
S. Sauer, thanks

S. Sauer, Letting go of the wheel is not something I normally do. Hence the query here about this situation. I never noticed before because I never let go of the wheel before. The wheel has NO pull to port when holding on to it while motoring. I just noticed the steering to port after I release the wheel. I may look under the captains seat and check out the rudder bushings and the steering cables to make sure everything is operating normally. Just wanted to check in and see if anyone else had this happen. Thanks for the responses.
 
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Steve O.

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Jun 4, 2004
125
Hunter 333 Elk Rapids, MI
It's normal

Every boat I've owned did this (2 Hunters, 1 Catalina) It has to do with prop wash and the direction of the prop rotation.
 
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