Boat pulls to starboard

[wgerstmyer]

Just took out a new to us Freedom 36 and the wheel pulls badly to starboard, not even close to tracking a straight line (perhaps worse at higher RPMs. Nothing interfering with the pulleys below decks, autopilot not engaged or on, wheel spun easily on land and now too.
ANY thoughts are greatly appreciated as no one we know has heard of this. Thanks, Will and Tasha

[tkeithlu]

Wow! You're talking about under power, so it's not very badly balanced rigging.

Could something be caught on the rudder? Could you dive down and take a look? There's nothing in the hull, steering, or prop that I can think of other than that. Tiny precessing of the prop, sure, but not what you are describing.

[markpierce]

Absent a 3-degree-to-port rudder on my boat, propwalk accounts for turn to starboard.

[SeaStory]

The wheel actually pulls or the boat turns to starboard with the wheel centered?

For the latter, have you checked that the rudder is centered?

[toddster8]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGuTRTrpUqk

[wgerstmyer]

The wheel has to be “fought” to keep the boat from turning. If we did not hold tight, the boat turns.

[siamese]

Does the boat have any tendency to turn to starboard while under sail at any speed?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by wgerstmyer

The wheel has to be “fought” to keep the boat from turning. If we did not hold tight, the boat turns.

I’ve been on quite a few boats like this, our own included.

Under sail I can trim and maintain a course without the autopilot. Under power I need to maintain a slight port helm to counter the propwalk. Our helm won’t just spin over as the rudder isn’t balanced, but the boat will turn right if allowed.

[Reefmagnet]

Check your engine alignment. Surprisingly, it doesn't take much misalignment to cause this kind of problem. I had severe pulling under power years ago that turned out to be a, albeit badly, misaligned engine.

[malbert73]

Nah- mine does it also under power due to balanced leading edge of rudder catching prop wash. Now if it happens under sail you have a problem

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Check your engine alignment. Surprisingly, it doesn't take much misalignment to cause this kind of problem. I had severe pulling under power years ago that turned out to be a, albeit badly, misaligned engine.

Fyi:

https://www.practical-sailor.com/sai...ews/freedom-36


"With the three-bladed feathering prop, the Freedom 36 performs well. The boat backs out of a slip, goes where you want it to go in reverse, and powers easily to hull speed without overloading the engine. The engine is mounted slightly off-center so the shaft is at an angle to the centerline of the boat, and some people will tell you that this helps the boat track in a straight line under power. The 36 did track straight, but then most boats with centerline installations track straight, too."


The Freedom 36 has an internally-mounted, balanced spade-type rudder

Also could be an issue with prop wash on a balance rudder causing pull on your steering wheel.

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Fyi:

https://www.practical-sailor.com/sai...ews/freedom-36


"With the three-bladed feathering prop, the Freedom 36 performs well. The boat backs out of a slip, goes where you want it to go in reverse, and powers easily to hull speed without overloading the engine. The engine is mounted slightly off-center so the shaft is at an angle to the centerline of the boat, and some people will tell you that this helps the boat track in a straight line under power. The 36 did track straight, but then most boats with centerline installations track straight, too."


The Freedom 36 has an internally-mounted, balanced spade-type rudder

Also could be an issue with prop wash on a balance rudder causing pull on your steering wheel.

If the engine is misaligned, the prop shaft becomes misaligned. It's almost like they are interconnected or something.

[Searles]

The answer is a bit of several posts,a large prop verry close to the leading edge of the rudder ,which may have a leading edge balance on it ,plus the shaft maybe off set to the rudder to facilitate easy removal of the prop shaft .⛵️⚓️

[Jdeuel]

Can you try getting up to max speed, then cut the motor and see if the problem goes away?

[Dove1955]

Just like when a single engine pulls to one side in a full power climb so it can be with a boat. In a plane you have to apply slight right rudder in a full power climb, or adjust the trim. Any proper moving through a fluid (air or water) will do this to some degree. Newton-every action has an opposite and equal reaction. Outboards have an adjustable small fin (slag) just above the prop to counteract this force, not sure if there is anything for sailboat. Powerboats with twin engines use counter rotating props to solve this. Good Luck !