Boat won’t steer straight???

'76 Southwind 20'. My 13 yr. old pointed out the other day that when we were attempting to go straight, it looked like the boat was pointing to the right. He was corret. Regardless of speed, when I try to go straight, I have to overcompensate and steer left some and the boat is pointed about 10 degrees to the right. So I am essentially pushing through the water sideways. Can a boat be out of alignment like a car? What's up????

Kirk, What you are seeing may be normal from prop torque. It's the same thing that pulls the stern of a RH boat to port when reversed.

Is the boat actually turning in an arc, or is there just a load on the rudder. Many inboards, and particularly the competition slalom boats are set up with a load on the rudder so there is actually constant pressure on the rudder. You can go straight, but if you let go of the wheel, the boat will instantly turn one way or the other. This can be fixed as well if one desires neutral steering. BKH

I feel what Kirk is describing is the boat is "crabbing".

This is definitely what it feels like. I will check everything that was mentioned above. Thanks

You need to use more rudder peddles then.


Does it have fins? Are they bent?

Tim