Need Help Boat Doesnt Handle Right

[sifocalpoint]

Here in PA v-drives are rare and its hard to find good help. We just finished restoring my dads Howard Flatbottom and it handles like shit
Howard flat, dyers blown 468, adjustable plate 11.5x16 prop
16 od gears in the box (i know these are low but we love the holeshot)
The boat FISHTAILS and its too hard to handle at high speeds, the boats rear end moves back and forth and its an uncomfortable feeling so we havent even had the boat over 65-70 yet. I changed props and it made no difference, will the cavitation plate effect this?? Could adjusting it help?? Whats the best way to adjust the plate? All turnbuckles equal??
HELPPPPPPPP MEEEE:eek!:

[Morg]

Don't take this the wrong way, This is coming from experience.
When I got my first flat the steering quadrant was not installed properly, It was loose & the key was the wrong size. Caused what you are describing.
I would start with the simple stuff. Check the rudder & steering. Maybe even take a look at the turn fin.
Good luck
Morg.

[dmontzsta]

repo man had this same problem with his boat, he said it was scary to drive around 60mph. He swapped props and said it made a HUGE difference, he is now back in control, of course Morg has a good point as well.

[sifocalpoint]

ill give it a shot, and check it out but if you hear of anything else give me a holler
Thanks

[coolchange]

I think more info is in order. You just restored it. What did you change. Did you have the strut off? Plates off? Fin Off? Wheres the water breakin? Plates to low and its tryin to drive around itself? Steering is a good place to start. Change one thing at a time.

[Spotondl]

Just some things to check...
Steering system, quadrant, pull/pull cable pulley system (hope it's not a push/pull type cable, kinda weak), rudder, key?
Driveshaft, is it straight?
Strut, is it secure to the bottom of the hull, strut bearings good with no play?
Prop, is it fully seated on the taper or is it riding on the keyway?
Plates even and secure? Start with some down for safety...
I'm sure there are many more that more knowledgable likes here may suggest... These are just my .02's worth for now...
Good luck...

[Spotondl]

More info definitely in order.... straight up....

[DansBlown73Nordic]

Like I said on the phone steering would be my first thought. Just a little play in back will make a huge difference up front.

[superdave013]

My Hondo did that too. Mainly when I let off the gas.
First off the steering quardrint needed replaced as the key way had slop in it. (Be sure to put a safty collar on top of the quadrent so the key can't come out even if the pinch bolt comes loose.)
But what I think could have caused that was the rudder stuffing box (deal that goes through the hull) was worn. The rudder had slop in it. So I replaced that and it still has slop in it! Took a closer look at the rudder and the shaft was just worn out in that area. Replaced that and all was well.

[Bob Hostetter]

Does it slip/wiggle side to side or rock from side to side? Is it a flat or a runnerbottom? Do you have a override pedal or just adjustable struts?
If there is any slop in the steering system from the wheel to the rudder they will kind of wiggle around on the tail. If it rocks back and forth from chime to chime that is a whole different problem......What happens when you input correction with the steering wheel?
Check you steering first, make sure everything is snug, make sure then is not any slop in the rudder, check and make sure your plate's are equal/balanced on both side's, and check your strut and make sure it is straight and the bushings are not worn out.

[ColeTR1]

Originally posted by sifocalpoint
11.5x16 prop
16 od gears in the box (i know these are low but we love the holeshot)
That's a big prop with a lot of tork behind it with 16 gears. Get a good 11 1/2 x 15
River Prop.

[sifocalpoint]

We put new 25 od gears in the box, and tomarrow after work im gonna play with the rudder to see if maybe it was hit and bent possibly?? Then im goin through the steering setup, and any other areas of concern. Hopefully im get it figured out, i have some pesky jet boats to beat down here on the monongahala river.

[WILDERTHANU]

TRY STAYING IN IT..MAYBE IT WILL SMOOTH OUT OVER 100.....J/K :D. IT HAS TO BE IN YOUR STEERING, MAKE SURE IT'S TIGHT. FROM WHEEL TO RUDDER CHECK EVERYTHING ALONG THE WAY!! MY COLE DID THE SAME THING WHEN I FIRST GOT IT.
p.s. "monongahala river"....LOL

[repo man]

Originally posted by dmontzsta
repo man had this same problem with his boat, he said it was scary to drive around 60mph. He swapped props and said it made a HUGE difference, he is now back in control, of course Morg has a good point as well. my boat had a 12 15 3 blade on it and it would get up on the prop and use it like a wheel. the whole ass of the boat would walk sideways like a hot rod with posi when you boil the hides. a 11.5 15 2 blade helped a lot

[dmontzsta]

Dan: Did you get my message?