Stern lowers under power

[John Mercator]

Greetings from Oregon. I just bought an 1983 Cat 30 with a 3 cylinder Universal. When under power the stern lowers about 6 inches to the point that the exhaust hole is at or under water, this is true even when going 3 to 4 knots. Also perhaps related the tiller steering is very difficult to steer (it is difficult but less so under sail) . Is this normal? I am wondering if the prop could be damaged. It was out of the water recently and the prop looked symetrical to my unexperienced eye. Any ideas to the cause/cure for this?Thank you for any comments,John

 

[Phil]

Wave

Its not so much that the stern drops as it is the building of a trailing wave. If you look behind the boat you will see a set of trailing wavesas the boat moves thru the water. The first of the waves is right at the stern giving you the illusion that the boat is squatting. Its pretty much typical.