Wheel pulls to port—why??

[wgerstmyer]

Bought a Freedom 36 and first time out the boat doesn’t track straight but pulls to starboard. No tangles in the pulleys below, no autopilot engaged, have no trouble turning the wheel now in the water or while it was on land.
ANY comments appreciated, this is stumping us. Thanks, Will

[Nicholson58]

Does it pull the same direction while on port or starboard tac? If the pull changes direction it weather helm. Otherwise, is the wheel simply not centered when you think it is?

[Stu Jackson]

If this is ONLY under motor, it is normal.

[wgerstmyer]

N58–
No, always same side. Not wheel centering, happens at any wheel location.
Stu—
I hope you’re right as we were only motoring, we’ll sail tomorrow. Why does it do that? Does it have to do with the propeller action? Or the slightly angled (off-centerline) shaft? Our Sabre 28 had the angle too but it didn’t pull to the side. Thanks

[C420sailor]

Angled thrust affects one side of the rudder more than the other. Creates a turning tendency.

[SV__Grace]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

If this is ONLY under motor, it is normal.

I agree. Right hand prop direction (turns clockwise facing forward, most common in U.S. boats) results in Port prop walk (in reverse) and SB prop wash (in forward).

[Montanan]

Please in the future post only one thread per topic.

This thread post titled: Wheel pulls to port - Why?? is the same subject matter as your post titled: Boat Pulls to Starboard.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...hy-251638.html


BTW, this issue should have been noticed prior to your purchase by having taken the boat out for a pre-purchase motor and sail and the issue discussed with the seller and / or surveyor and its cause determined.

May need a front end alignment to deter from crabbing.

Hope you enjoy your new to you boat.

All the best.

[Hardhead]

I'm thinking it's due to prop wash when motoring. If it happens under sail, it may be an imbalance in the sail trim. Good luck, and have fun with your new boat.

[arcticmonkey]

my first thought was weight distribution.... I was surprised when I redistributed below deck weight how much difference it made

[gamayun]

I think there's the same question posted from me somewhere on CF about 10 years ago when I got my F38. It was prop pull (push?) from the motor that would turn the wheel over to port. I was motor sailing at the time. It doesn't do it under sail alone. If you're in reverse, you still have prop walk, but do hold the wheel even tighter because the flow of water over the rudder will slam the wheel over hard and can mess up the procedures. Not so good in a tight passageway.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by gamayun

I think there's the same question posted from me somewhere on CF about 10 years ago when I got my F38. It was prop pull (push?) from the motor that would turn the wheel over to port. I was motor sailing at the time. It doesn't do it under sail alone. If you're in reverse, you still have prop walk, but do hold the wheel even tighter because the flow of water over the rudder will slam the wheel over hard and can mess up the procedures. Not so good in a tight passageway.

When this came up, I thought of you immediately! Thanks for chiming in.

[P3sailor]

If you're motoring, this could be caused by "propwash" which, depending on prop rotation, could be normal.

[Geoff 3016]

another possibility is the leading edge of the rudder , if there is any difference from one side to other (the taper back to full chord section ) can give you quite a problem depending on severity.

[LByers]

I had this happen with a Caliber 40 and with that model it was a common problem. After extensive research requiring two libations, I learned the rudder was offset to allow removal of the prop shaft. Never happened under sail--only under power.

[wgerstmyer]

Thanks all for the great replies. See you in the Vinalhaven area later this summer. Tash and Will, SV Nirvana