Power causing boat to list to Port

[RussHaley]

Can anyone help?

A friend has a Fletcher Faro with a Mercury 100 on it. I'm not sure of the exact details of the engine, but it is a straight 4, autolube model, very tall and certainly not recent. I know it's not a RIB, but I think it is probably an engine problem and sure someone here can help

The problem is that although when at a standstill and at low speed the boat is level, as soon as the power comes on the boat leans to port, a good 10-15 degrees. The helm also pulls to starboard (again only at speed).

Any ideas? He's only recently bought the boat and this seems to be the only problem with it. I've never experienced this before on any powerboat.

His prop is a bit tatty and there might be a slight kink in the skeg, but it's very hard to tell. The engine has got bolt-on planing-fins added.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Russ Haley

[Mark Halliday]

It could be that the fins are not level or twisted.
Try taking it out without them fitted and see.
How is the boat loaded, if there is lots more weight on the port side (fuel tanks, battery, driver, lunch box, beer etc) it may be causing the list when on the plane.

[Matt]

If it's level at rest, it's quite possible the engine needs to be trimmed out a bit when running fast.

[Carl]

trust you to beat me to it,i was going to say that..........................as the old saying goes............ if in doubt...............................answers on a post card to

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by carly baby

trust you to beat me to it,i was going to say that..........................as the old saying goes............ if in doubt...............................answers on a post card to

If in doubt give it a clout!

Well this is a technical term in the furniture trade!

[Matt]

If in doubt...trim it out!!! lol

[-Dan-]

Is the thingy that copmpensates for the rotation of the propeller adjusted properly?

Sorry for the lack of technical words

Dan

[Nick Hearne]

"Trim it out" you lift/tilt the outboard up on the power tilt, if you not have power tilt then raise the stop bar a hole!

[Simon Hawkins]

The balancing of the boat does not appear correct. It may be worthwile speaking to a propellor company to see if the correct propeller is fitted as this could list the boat to port at speed. You may also consider offsetting the engine from central position to remedy the proplem.

[Nick Hearne]

I would go along with Simon about off set, some hear would say you do not knead it but on a small boat with a lot of power & torque the engine is trying to turn the boat!
Nick