New RIB...steering problems.

Midger · 01 April 2012, 12:03

Good Morning All,
Having purchased a new 5.5metre Zodiac Pro with a evinrude etec 90 hp, I took it out yesterday for the first time in Fowey. I had a smaller zodiac with an evinrude 60 on it before so I have something to compare it to.

The first thing i noticed was it felt very juddery at low speeds compared to the old one.....is this just a brand new engine settling in or something I should be concerned about?

Secondly when at high speed the wheel pulled heavily to starboard, not just like a car with bad tracking but if I had let go of the wheel the RIB would have gone straight into a tight turn, surely this cannot be right, the old one stayed pretty much on a straight course if you let go.

The guy who set up the boat did mention that boats like this will tend to pull one way or the other and I accepted that, but this seems excessive and i am not comfortable with it.

I am ringing my RIB guy tomorrow but would love some feedback from you lot before i do with reference to the engine juddering and also the steering.

On the plus side the boat itself is fab, much more room than the old one and also we were accompanied all the way from town key out to the bar by a dolphin off both bows and going under the boat, never seen a dolphin from the boat before so very exciting.

I'm sure (hope) these are just teething problems and easily rectified and would love your comments.

Cheers
Midger

Kernow Buoy · 01 April 2012, 12:46

Hi Midger
Juddery doesn't sound right, do you mean at tickover in neutral or whilst under way?
Steering is almost certainly the trim tab needs adjusting, not a problem at all and with a bit of experimentation should eliminate that pull at speed. Give the etec owners a bit more info on that juddering and see what they say

m3mm0s rib · 01 April 2012, 13:00

To correct the address of the board change the direction of the wing that is in the lower unit

Midger · 01 April 2012, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

Hi Midger
Juddery doesn't sound right, do you mean at tickover in neutral or whilst under way?
Steering is almost certainly the trim tab needs adjusting, not a problem at all and with a bit of experimentation should eliminate that pull at speed. Give the etec owners a bit more info on that juddering and see what they say

Thanks for that , the juddering is more a large vibration at slow ahead, engine just doesn't sound happy , I'm sure if I take it back to him he can tweak something !!

With the steering , when you say trim tab are you referring to trimming the engine when running or something else , sorry , not very mechanically minded !! Thanks for the suggestions .

Midger · 01 April 2012, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3mm0s rib

To correct the address of the board change the direction of the wing that is in the lower unit

Sorry to be a daft head but I don't follow any of that!! Any chance of saying it in idiot speak ?!?

Dirk Diggler · 01 April 2012, 13:27

They're referring to the trim tab, which may also be the sacrificial anode on your motor. It's designed to offset the steering torque when off set slightly. (never seems to work for me)

it's no 74 in the pic

Is your steering Mechanical?

Midger · 01 April 2012, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

They're referring to the trim tab, which may also be the sacrificial anode on your motor. It's designed to offset the steering torque when off set slightly. (never seems to work for me)

it's no 74 in the pic

Is your steering Mechanical?

Yes it's mechanical ( I think ) . With all this talk of anodes and steering torque I had better leave it to the professionals !!

Tim M · 01 April 2012, 16:45

Sounds like very "loose" cable steering to me. You'll probably find its less prominent if you trim out (with the power trim) a little as well. (i too never seem to have much luck with those trim tab anodes!). Failing that you could install hydraulic steering which will eliminate this issue.

ribraff · 01 April 2012, 18:10

Hydraulic would be the way to go but the other cheaper option is a no-feedback Helm, it sounds as though you have the cheap one installed. It would be worth asking your man which you have.

m3mm0s rib · 01 April 2012, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midger

Sorry to be a daft head but I don't follow any of that!! Any chance of saying it in idiot speak ?!?

How about you;

kerny · 01 April 2012, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3mm0s rib

How about you;

m3mm0s rib · 01 April 2012, 19:15

kerny

Midger · 01 April 2012, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3mm0s rib

kerny

Well done ...... Don't I feel the twat !! Not sure what you are trying to say but enjoy your joke guys, thanks to all the genuine help though and sorry if I have miss understood yr humour . Thought this seemed a good place for advice .... Ah well .

kerny · 03 April 2012, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midger

Well done ...... Don't I feel the twat !! Not sure what you are trying to say but enjoy your joke guys, thanks to all the genuine help though and sorry if I have miss understood yr humour . Thought this seemed a good place for advice .... Ah well .

Sorry Midget, the joke wasn't on you mate, the language barrier has caught out our Greek friend on more than one occasion. Apologies

Kernow Buoy · 03 April 2012, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

Sorry Midget, the joke wasn't on you mate, the language barrier has caught out our Greek friend on more than one occasion. Apologies

I've pm'd him, all's good

kerny · 03 April 2012, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

I've pm'd him, all's good

Nice one

Pikey Dave · 03 April 2012, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

Sorry Midget, the joke wasn't on you mate, the language barrier has caught out our Greek friend on more than one occasion. Apologies

Midget! you just don't give up do you

When you're in a hole...stop digging

kerny · 03 April 2012, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Midget! you just don't give up do you

When you're in a hole...stop digging

oops

not sure how that happened

(misprint)

diver 1 · 03 April 2012, 14:51

Try just trimming up slightly. On my rib i get vibration through the steering wheel when the engine is trimmed down too far. Not sure why it happens but with the engine trimmed up its fine. The trim tab is the small traingular 'fin' which hangs down from the horizontal plate above the propellor.

PeterM · 03 April 2012, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by diver 1

Try just trimming up slightly. On my rib i get vibration through the steering wheel when the engine is trimmed down too far. Not sure why it happens but with the engine trimmed up its fine.

When trimmed all the way down the engine is pressing hard against the transom - and the engine vibration is easily passed to the transom/ hull.

When trimmed even a little up the vibrations are damped by the whole lot 'wobbling' abit on the tilt tube and the trim rams....?

Some rear facing video of race or pretty much any OBs show how much they can move !