Crooked Plane

[Jagrrich]

Does anyone know what would cause a boat to plane more to one side than the other?? I've got an old 16 ft fiberglass bass boat with a 70 hp johnson. This boat will get up and go but at full speed it wants to ride high on the right side and low on the left.

I've made sure that the load was equal and even overloaded the right side and it still does this.

Any suggestions would be helpful!

Thanks in advance.

[Muddpuppy]

I'm just throwing these out, So they may not be helpful.   I guess it would give you something to check ... the motor hasn't cocked a little bit or worn in the mount.  A small crack in the floor or hull and water in the hull?

[Jagrrich]

Well thanks for the suggestions. The hull is sound as a pound no water leakage since I installed the Keel Guard. As far as the motor being cocked I never thought of that so I'll have to check that out.

Thanks Muddy.

[fishinfool]

well this is probably not the cause of your problem. but my boat does the same thing but thats b/c i'm 6'4" 225 and have a 16' jon boat. just thought i'd throw that out there for ya. good luck fixin it!

[Jagrrich]

That couldn't be it because I'm 5'11" 140 lbs.

Thanks anyways.

[just_another_newbe]

it probably has something to do with the torque of the prop against the water, as you get faster there is less hull in the water to counter act the torque. you see this alot in the BIG salt water motors, mercruiser actually mada a twin prop counter-rotating out drive to eliminate this problem.  the motor you have could have a large diameter/low pitch prop on it, that also makes the torque worse.

[stratos_man]

my old boat did that when it wasnt trimed right, try triming it up farther, thats what fixed my uneven plane

[5bass]

I had this same problem on my Gambler when I first got it.My left arm would be hurtin' after a long ride down the lake at full throttle.The boat pulled HARD right and it got worse as my speed increased.

There is a little fin just above your prop,I had to adjust mine a couple of times to get it right but now I can take my hands off the wheel and run straight as an arrow.

[Jagrrich]

I've seen that but I didn't think it could have been the reason for the hard left turn. Mine is off just a tad pointing to the left. I guess I should adjust it!

Thanks a million Five!!

I'll let keep you posted on the outcome of that little fin thingy!!

It boggels the mind that one little bitty thingy could screw up the plane that bad.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

My last saltwater boat did that too.  It was a 21' steiger with a 225 merc offshore.  The boat had trim tabs so I just adjusted the difference through them.  Only had the boat about a year so I never investigated further.  Try an email to the motor manufacturer.  I bet they will know EXACTLY what the issue is.  Good luck.

[shutout31]

steering torque is a very common thing in boats. I had a big problem with mine when I first bought it and tried everything , and then discovered the Torque Wedge made by T&M marine. It's a little aluminum wedge that bolts to the bottom of your skeg to combat that torque. You would not beleive what a differece that little thing makes. I feel like I have power steering now. I can drive down the middle of the river and take my hand off the wheel with no problems. My boat was also a leaner and no longer does that either. You can find the wedge at BPS for about 15.00.