hey guys,

I have a 1994 Crownline 185BR, 5.0L, 4BBL, Alpha Stern Drive.

 My boat is very hard to keep straight at slow speeds (No Wake Zone).  Its like I have to work very hard turning it left and right.

 Any Ideas????

 

Mark

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Mark Mazaraki
1994 185BR
5.0L w/Apha Drive

Make sure you are trimmed all the way down.  There isn't a whole lot you can do.  The faster you can go the more control you will have.  You can also look at a 4 blade prop if you've got a 3 blade.  It will give you a little more control but not much.

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MARK MAZARAKI:

 My boat is very hard to keep straight at slow speeds (No Wake Zone).  Its like I have to work very hard turning it left and right.

 Any Ideas????

Mark

Hi Mark,

That is pretty standard with boats at slow speed. Any wind, water currents and the tendency to overcorrect when steering and you are zig-zagging.

Some report having the outdrive all the way down as well as the trim tabs (if you had them) fully down help some. Minimizing the overcorrecting when steering is probably the biggest factor you can control.

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Phil Belcher
2003 266CCR
496 MAG, Bravo 3

I still feel that something maybe wrong.

 My friend can put his boat (same length, Chris Craft 20) into an idle speed and step away from his steering wheel.  His boat will remain on track.

 If I dare to not have my hands on it, it will veer very strong left or right.

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Mark Mazaraki
1994 185BR
5.0L w/Apha Drive

Mark,

Compared to my outboard, my inboard mercruiser with an alpha outdrive seems unstable at idle speed. I asked the same question myself. I can be unnerving. Try to position your outdrive in a neutral position and then let go of the helm to the point that you only keep a light touch. The bow will pitch back and forth but stay headed in the general direction that you intended to go.

Bill

'08 200LS 5.0L

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Bill Cook
Saratoga Springs, NY
Charleston Lake, On
'08 200LS 5.0L

Mark,  I got the same problem.   The minute I let go of the wheel it is out of control.  It's a real pain in the *** when your trailering or pulling into a tight slip especially when it's a double slip and your sharing with another boat.   You get used to it and learn to become a good driver.  When I go through the no wake zones I usually go a little faster than idle.  You can still not have a wake and kick up the throttle just a bit.  It seems to help in my situation. 

I was curious if this is problem is due to the Alpha?  Do the Bravo's have the same problem?

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Love your children, they may be taking care of you someday

I understand the problem comes from the torque of the Alpha. The Bravo 3, is not a problem given the counter rotating dual blades, so I am told.

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Bill Cook
Saratoga Springs, NY
Charleston Lake, On
'08 200LS 5.0L

Make very small corrections (VERYSMALL) and wait... it doesn't take much to correct the nose from wondering and i have found people tend o add to much correction and this just makes the boat weave more.  WIth my 240 the nose will wonder, but i only have to tunr the steering wheel 1/2 - 1 inch in the direction to correct and then i have to WAIT... and the boat will slowly correct.  it's funny when someone else drives 'cause they are all over the place overcorrecting.

 As mention.. this is "normal" for small boats.  Crownline attempted to correct this with the vented hull but it didn't seem to eliminate the problem.

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2007 Crownline 240LS Merc MAG350-BIII
-Corsa thruhull, Social Swim, Sport package, Factory Tower
- HeaterCraft heater
-Mercury Smartcraft SC1000 Tach and Speedo
... in need of a name. :(
Towed with a 2008 Nissan Armada LE 4x4
Redmond, Washington

Mark, most boats are a little difficult to control at idle. Had a similar condition on an ex boat. We found the direct drive mechanism was worn, which created a delay in wheel to leg response & the boat tendered to wander at wake speed. Once replaced it improved.

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Gary
"POZOR"
2008 19SS, merc 220, 5lt