Boat is pulling to left

[Merle in MT.]

I have a 21 ft. fiberglass I/O that has developed an annoying pull to the left that is not corrected with the trim tabs. It is worse out of the hole but is still bad when on plane. I have inspected the power trim tabs and they appear to be working just fine. Any suggestions as to what might be causing this problem???

[REW]

One word -- Rocks

My guess is that you have had a bottom hit on the lower unit -- if this is a new problem that you haven't had before.

With the boat on the trailer -- take a 3-5 ft straight edge -- and lay along the side of the skeg near the bottom -- such that the straight edge runs down the center of the boat.

Inspect the straight edge, and see if the end of the straight edge aligns with the center of the bottom of the hull.

My guess is that you are going to find that you have a twist in the skeg - due to a bottom strike.

If this is the case -- the fix is easy --
Pound the skeg straight. DO NOT put a wrench on the skeg to try to straighten it -- you will break out pieces of the aluminum.

However, by using large hammers, sledges, or boy dollys - it is a very straighforward matter to straighten the skeg.

Simply use a large backing hammer or body dolly on the back side of the skeg - on the side that you want the skeg to be bent.
Then hammer on the other side of the skeg - with a large hammer with enough fource to move the skeg. It may take many hits to get the skeg straight - but it will move if you have enough force on the hammer. Always keep the backing plate behind the area that you are striking - so that you don't chunk out the skeg.

As a matter of fact -- if you have always had an out of the hole torque pull - and a slight pull when on plane -- you can put a bit more twist into the skeg -- to completely eliminate this extra torque pull.

Take care

REW

Go easy - test between attempts - and continue adjusting until perfect.

[Merle in MT]

Thanks alot. I'll check it out.