Can bent skegs cause bad list at speed?

[LCYrace]

Back at the pond today to make sure my exhaust re-seal job worked. This thing is a handful when it is running over 35mph. Not to mention I can't seem to get more than 40mph but thats not a big issue. I can see that 2 of my 3 skegs are bent so that if you are looking at them from the rear the bottom of the skeg is maybe 1/2 to 1 inch off center to the strarboard side. They may have a little twist as well. Might this cause handling issues at speed? The biggest issue is that the boat doesn't ride no where near level once on plane. I am 6'2" tall and I cannot see the water out of the port side windshield when on plane. Also it is VERY darty if I try to run flat out at about 40mph. Any one ever experience this? I have some play in the steering so that my be contributing to the high speed issues but I would really like to get it to ride a little more flat once on plane.

[Salty87]

just guessing but i'd expect bent skegs would cause some handling issues...depending on which side they bend to compared to the prop torque i'd expect there to be pressure fighting against the steering to one side or the other. i don't think it would cause listing though. most boats have a list to starboard. the weight of the dash + driver needs some counterweight like a spotter on the other side. can you get someone to take a pic from shore?

slop in the steering is never good but with bent skegs it could be worse. there's a spot on the tiller arm toward the stern that can be greased. kinda sounds like a cable that's going out though. i don't know if the skegs can be straightened while they're still attached. time to call a prop shop to see.

what are your rpms at wot?

[haugy]

Is your trim plate level? The wake plate at the back of the boat is adjustable, make sure it's level.

Weren't you the boat that wouldn't sit level?

[DAFF]

I would think the bent skegs are causing a lot of the grief , considering the amount you are talking. I would try to bend them back using a large adjustable wrench from the bottom of the boat. As for the plane issue the front is turning and the rear is running straight causing a crabbing issue more less the boat is very twitchy and unstable.

[LCYrace]

Salty my RPM's are about 3800-3900 WOT and I see about 39-40 mph. I think she is a little tired. Has almost 1100 hrs on her. 35 is plenty fast if it ran straight and level.

Yes haugy I did have an issue with a list while sitting still but after a week of sucking water out with a shopvac it sits pretty level now. I do have the cavitation plate slightly below level so I will level it.

And Daff, it has a mind of its own you get her wound out. It will hook hard to starboard but I have to fight it to turn to port. Forget going straight!

With the bent skegs I expect they are acting like a rudder trying to turn the front of the boat to starboard. Maybe if I bent them the other way it would counteract the prop torque and she would run level. There has got to be a way to make it run level without putting a sumo wrestler on the port gunwale!!!

[gogger]

What kind of shape is the rudder in? Is there play in it? My old rudder and bushing had so much wear you could wiggle it about an inch. Donny said it should have been doing what your describing. Luckily it never gave me much problem, just let a lot of water in the boat.

[Salty87]

Salty my RPM's are about 3800-3900 WOT and I see about 39-40 mph. I think she is a little tired. Has almost 1100 hrs on her. 35 is plenty fast if it ran straight and level.

clearly handling is your priority but after that you should check the prop. if you need a prop shop to straighten the skegs, get the prop checked too. 1100 hrs ain't nuttin and you should be hitting 4800 rpms with a 351. being under propped is not good for an engine in the long term. imagine riding a bicycle uphill in too high of a gear.

[LCYrace]

Wow, if it would turn 4800 rpms with this prop that would be nearly 50+ mph. I guess there are alot of factors. I do know it will jump out of the water when you hammer it off idle. Probably gets to 25 in a matter of 3 to 4 seconds. Not sure if that's good but seems like its pulls hard. I will get some pics this week. Also, how free should the prop spin. Should it freewheel or should there be a lot of resistance. Mine does not spin freely. You can turn it by hand but it does take some effort. Even in the water it still seems to have a lot of resistance. Maybe this is normal. I do not know. I love this boat just wish I could get all these kinks worked out.

My rudder does have about 1/2 inch of play under the boat. Seems like there are some worn parts at the adjustment pivot under the floor. Steers easy enough, 1 or 2 fingers from side to side just has about 1/8 turn of play at the wheel. Don't think this is my problem with the ride angle. I guess it still may be way heavy on the starboard side. Just too many variables it seems.

[Zim]

Sounds like you have many issues. Start by getting the skegs straight. By the sound of it, you need to service your entire steering system. New cable, rudder mount, etc. You might even consider swapping to a hydrolic steering system.

[Jetlink]

I would think a hydraulic system is not even worth it let alone feasible. I'd look at first fixing what is there. Your adjustable wake plate needs to be flush or just a 1/4 inch higher than the hull otherwise at high speed it wants to lift the stern and bury the nose which can make for a very unstable driving boat.