Zig-Zag with my Zed-drive

[Guest]

Been having a bit of trouble avoiding river banks in my new boat (well, I say 'new' - it's 20 years old!). At first I thought it was me but I don't remember my old boat being so difficult to handle - then someone said something about a thingy you can attach to your Z-Drive to make the steering more responsive - can anyone shed any light on this bit of kit?

I've checked the steering connections and there's no slack. Is there anything ballast-wise I could do? The boat is a 23' Cleopatra V-hull single petrol.

I can eventually get her under control but once she starts wandering it just turns into a battle with over-compensating steering.

I've tried 'softly, softly' steering, varying the speed etc. but when you're about to smack into a tree the old 'lunge at the wheel' instinct tends to kick in.

 

[andyball]

"ruddersafe" I think it was called.....but as I remember it, no-one thought anything good of them & some people swore by a home-made "mock-rudder" bolted to the outdrive (cheaper than a ruddersafe,anyway). Try a search

 

[ultrarep]

Got the same problem with my 23 foot Fairline Holiday meanders left and right all bloody day long. Shagged out by end of day.
Anyway i found a ruddersafe at the last Norwich boat jumble and will be fitting it this week end as the boat is out of the water till then. will let you know if it helps.
These things retail for about £120 but I payed £3 for mine. Have seen them advertised in the Compass brochour.

 

[Chris_d]

All quite normal I'm afraid, you will get used to it, try setting the wheel to
as close to straight ahead as possible, then hold the wheel completely
still, the bow will gently swerve back and forth but overall go straight.
After a while you just get in-tune with it, one tip is to fully lower your
trim tabs if you have them, this will have no effect on trim at low speed
but reduces the swaying considerably.
Add on rudders are waste of time in my experience and only help when
you have no power on, its better to steer with the power than rely on any
rudder effect anyway.

 

[Geoffs]

As others have said all perfectly normal. Only way to cure it is to get boat up on the plane, and not worry too much about speed limits .

Add on rudders don't normally help, its a characteristic of a V hull.

 

[Guest]

I once had a Scorpian Scourcer which had a very deep V and the boat was all over, I changed all the steering helm unit and the cable with no change to the snake like manner. But as other people have stated if you leave it to it's own devices and the river is wide enough if you leave the steering along it will get you roughly to the point you wanted to get to.
I was told if you fit the attachements if you put power on the attachement will get bent and these are only of use with low speed use.
I have just moved up to a Fairline Corniche and have the same problem, any boat that is not a displacement craft seams to move in the same way, I now have the added problem of a much bigger boat with what seams to be smaller rivers, locks and moorings adding to the problem. I just think I am getting used to the problem when the added devil, the gust of wind that does not tell you when it is going to do it's deed but blows you right off course.

 

[oldgit]

After about a year you do not notice it and you will automatically compensate before the old tub even starts to wander.Ps After a beer or two your steering dramatically improves two more and its not the boat wandering about.

Exercise is bunk.If you are healthy,you do not need it;if you are sick you should not take it.

 

[Eightpots]

Forget what they say. you need a keel running along the bottom of the boat. You will find it will hold a much straighter course with less pilot in put. Planning boats by design are'nt very good at displacement speeds. Look at any diplacement hull and you'll see the pronounced keel that is just not there on a planning hull

 

[Guest]

So beer is the answer! Not only will my steering improve but I'll also become a progressive and articulate conversationalist and every woman will fancy the arse off me ... not to mention my improved singing voice!

I can't thank you enough for you helpful advice.

I'm just off to the offy ....

 

[oldgit]

blimming heck thats usual, someone actually reading one of my posts.you not ill or something are you.

Exercise is bunk.If you are healthy,you do not need it;if you are sick you should not take it.

 

[Chris771]

A few (perhaps many now, on reflection) years ago I owned a Freeman 24. They were made in two versions a river boat with little engine and a seagoing version with 130 HP which planed. The river version had a wooden (hardwood encased in fiberglass) keel which blended into the hull forward and became about 9" high and actually extended under the prop a few inches for protection. The sea going version wandered at low speed, the keeled version sailed straight as an arrow. I could even go below and put the kettle on and it would still be going straight.

A friend with a wandering Seamaster 810 (27') was so impressed that he had his boatyard fit a similar keel one winter. Now his Seamaster is steerable on canals.

I also made and fitted a rudder extension to a leg on an earlier boat, worked well and also steered in neutral, but would take over when going astern. The worst canal boat I ever had was a Buckingham 22, no hint of a keel, just glance away for two seconds and it was seriously heading for the bank, required constant and continuous correction.

The keel is the best option for going straight......slowly........ but not if you ever intend planing and travelling in a hurry.

Hope this may help.