Low speed steering suggestions?

E

Esmi2

Member
Clearly this is more of a newbie issue than a technical steering issue, but can you(s) offer some tips for maintaining steering at low speeds?

I find that idling around the harbor at 1000ish RPM (prox 4 kts), I have difficulty maintaining a straight course, and if I deviate from straight, I have difficulty returning to a straight ahead course.

I t h i n k steering improves by raising the trim tabs, and/or by tilting the engine up "a little."

Clearly the steering improves by running downwind :-) but I can't control that from the helm.

And, of course, the low speed steering control is improving marginally as I gain experience doing it.

What settings do you use/recommend for maximum steering control at low low speeds?

(I tried the SEARCH function, and was not able to find any relevant threads, though I suspect they are out there somewhere.)

Thank you.
 
These boats have pretty flat bottoms. This means there is nothing to help track straight. Any crosswind will tend to turn the bow downwind. Any transfer of lateral loads will cause the boat to turn to the heavy side.

This is the nature of these boats and it just requires attention to the steering when traveling at low speeds. With practice it becomes second nature.
 
Well by the looks of it you're getting it figured out. Keep playing around with different set ups and you'll find a happy place. I think the best possible slow speed steering enhancement is an auto pilot. I use the autopilot when I'm trolling for salmon. it will keep you on a straight course without you constantly have to correct for wind or waves etc.
 
It becomes a reflex to keep a steady course. Be sure there is no "slop" in the steering, in the hydraulic system, if fitted, and at the engine connection to the steering system.

Putting trim tabs down fully and engine up a little, seems to decrease it for me. Also give a little more speed. Most "no wake" zones are OK with 5 knots, which is close to "hull speed" for a C Dory 22.

The Chinese voyagers used to steer a crooked and variable course as starting out on a voyage to "break the dragon's back". The evil spirits or dragons came from land. My dad used to tell me, "OK you have broken the dragon's back-not steer straight. His sailboat hull was very similar to a C Dory 25's hull, with a flat bottom, and little deadrise.
 
Thank you for the replies. I just got off the water, and it seems like holding your mouth right, and practice practice practice are big parts of the solution.

Also, as mentioned, a little bit more throttle helps a lot.

I don't have a Permatrim, yet, but am looking in to it.
 
This kind of thing is always disappointing to find out later, after thinking,
researching and spending a pile of money for your new boat.

Tho' not often mentioned in "single vs twin" engine debates, I've found twins
on smaller outboard boats decrease snaking at low speeds.

Aye.
 
My two electric outboards have a fairly narrow shaft so I was able to "create" a rudder to put on each one for slow speed maneuvering. I took a 10" x 20" piece of 1/8" HDPE and formed it around a 1.5 inch pipe with a heat gun. I then rivetted the plastic around the motor shaft in a balanced airfoil shape (round in front and tapered in the back). This creates two rudders that provide a significant amount of extra steering at slow speeds (< 2mph). Since I only cruise at around 5mph the additional rudders do not affect the performance in any way I have been able to notice. I will try to get some pictures posted in my album.
 
I have an 80 lb Minn Kota electric trolling motor mounted on bow. It can steer the boat with a bearing or a course. It can also act as an electric anchor, keeping the boat in the same spot, particularly if there is a slight tide or wind. I often drop it when cruising up to 5 mph, and it tracks a compass bearing line very well. It will only bring the boat to about 3-3.5 mph at full power, which drains batteries quickly, but setting the gas motor to hull speed and putting the electric one at the lowest setting works very well most of the time. I also have a DC/DC charger for the LiFePO4 batteries that charge them when the gas motor is running.
 
robhwa":2kadqhfp said:
I have an 80 lb Minn Kota electric trolling motor mounted on bow. It can steer the boat with a bearing or a course. It can also act as an electric anchor, keeping the boat in the same spot, particularly if there is a slight tide or wind. I often drop it when cruising up to 5 mph, and it tracks a compass bearing line very well. It will only bring the boat to about 3-3.5 mph at full power, which drains batteries quickly, but setting the gas motor to hull speed and putting the electric one at the lowest setting works very well most of the time. I also have a DC/DC charger for the LiFePO4 batteries that charge them when the gas motor is running.
Click to expand...

Yup. Better slow speed control with more propellers.

Aye.
 
I Have now posted a picture on the rudders I added to my electric outboards to improve slow speed steering. (ALBUM - WATT NOW)

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