I/O Wandering @#*!!

[Fishy McGee]

I have a 79 v20 cuddy w/GM 350 on a OMC 800. I love this boat but my problem is that I do a lot of trolling and this thing just wanders all over the place under 10 knots, after that it's straight as an arrow. I have read that this is just kind of "the nature of the beast" for this boat with an I/O set up. I was wondering if anybody out there in StepV land has had any luck resolving this issue. I have heard of using trim tabs to lessen this problem but I don't really want to try this just to see since my boat trims with engine tilt. Maybe mini skegs on the outside edges of the hull?? I don't know. If anyone can offer some insight I would greatly appreciate it.. Thanks
FMG

[Cam]

Never had been able to cure the wandering thing. I know you don't want to hear it but IT IS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST/ Actually, I did remedy it, I bought a boat with an outboard....don't have the problem any more.

[nipper]

My 91 V20 cuddy with 4.3 litre Alpha one I/O also has the wanderlust.

[spareparts]

check for play in the steering cable adn in the gimbal ring. Most I/o boats have some play in each location. You are going to have some play regardless if you have power steering, but check the gimbal ring bolts, adn check the steerig cable. there is also the posibility of play in teh steering arm, but its a PITA to tighten. Just try to not chase the wheel, leave it in one place and it will come back around. Most boats with deep entrys do it. I used to work at a Sea Ray dealership and allmaost every new boat under 26 feet would do it, all the customers would complain about it when they brought their boat in for the first service

[nipper]

Mine has done it since it was brand new in 1991. If anything, it seems to have gotten better, or maybe I just do not notice it as much.

[Fishy McGee]

Thanks for the input, hopefully someone has had some luck with this and will chime in. Congrats on the outbord Cam...not exactly the feasable fix for me at this time but will take it under advisement ;) Thanks again all

[garagenc]

I have a 91 I/O with the 350 and volvo penta dual prop system and it wanders at low speed. I have trim tabs and they don't help. Trim tabs are nice but they wont help with that problem.

[spareparts]

I just reread this post and realized you said you have an 800 series OMC, sorry, I was thinking you had a Mercruiser. Definately check for play in teh steering on your drive, if you have an excessive amount, you need to have it llooked at before it gets dangerous. If you don't have any play in your steering, then I guess its just the nature

[reelapeelin]

Fishy, here's something you might try...we troll w/leadcore line down here for stripes...to SLOW the boat down, we drag two 5 gal buckets off the stern...here's my thinking...the extra drag will make the prop push a little harder against the water and MIGHT add a little more push which could improve steady steerage...heck, give it a try...might work...might not...

[Fishy McGee]

Wow...that's really funny. That's exactly one of the possible fixes one of my fishing buddys came up with....to drag 5 gal buckets off the stern cleets....I guess well give it a try......Thanks Reel!