1987 Merc Alpha 1 / Steering pulls hard to port

W

wizard

Regular Contributor

• Jul 15, 2013

• #1

A buddy of mine has a 1987 4 cyl. with a Alpha 1 drive that pulls hard to port when going fast or slow. I have not seen the boat this is what he tells me. What do you think it could be making it do this ?

 

T

tweaker1959

New member

• Jul 15, 2013

• #2

Try adjusting the trim tab it is located above the prop.

 

W

wizard

Regular Contributor

• Jul 16, 2013

• #3

Tryed that he turned that as far as it would go. Very little bit better but still hard to hold

 

kghost

Silver Medal Contributor

• Jul 16, 2013

• #4

Bet he has a whale tail on the drive????

 

bondo

Silver Medal Contributor

• Jul 16, 2013

• #5

Ayuh,.... Try a Different prop,...

 

RicardoMarine

Gold Medal Contributor

• Jul 16, 2013

• #6

Vendors offer several trim fin/torque tabs for the Merc A drive. See if he can fit a larger one.

If the drive is pulling the boat to Port..... then you adjust the trim fin/torque tab towards Port.

 

W

wizard

Regular Contributor

• Jul 16, 2013

• #7

I will tell him. Thanks. I will let you know

 

kghost

Silver Medal Contributor

• Jul 16, 2013

• #8

I just thought of another possibility

Is the boat under 17 ft, Is your friend over 350 lbs? Is the Skeg severly bent or missing?

Many factors in a boat pulling to one side............

 

W

wizard

Regular Contributor

• Jul 16, 2013

• #9

He is a bean pole maybe 140 but around 6'14" tall. ( we call him too tall ) 18 ft. Skeg is good. He has a spair prop he is going to try this weekend. But thanks for all the maybes