left turn only

[DampDragon]

Just got an 83 SN. Great boat. I love it. Problem is, backing off of the trailer, as soon as I shift into reverse the thing wants to go to the left. No matter what direction I am steering it just wants to go left. Wierdest thing. Going forward seems to control just fine. Backing up kinda not cool. This is my first direct drive, I have always been driving stern drives or jets. This can't be normal. Any suggestions or remedies would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks All

[NautiqueJeff]

Welcome to the world of inboards!

Believe it or not, to a point that is normal for an inboard. That's one of the hardest things for people coming from the I/O world to get used to. In reverse, the flow of water is directed under the boat (and away from the rudder), and since the flow is not directed at the rudder, there is very little steering control. When you're in forward, the flow of water is directed across the rudder, and you have total control.

The boat backs to the left due to the rotation of the prop. Other (non-CC) inboards back to the right because their props turn in the opposite direction of a Correct Craft.

[NCH2oSki]

Welcome to inboards, its a small price to pay for the performance and handling. You will get used to it, just try to pick the ramp with the docks on the right hand side.

[DampDragon]

OK, thanks guys, just something I have to get used to. I thought that it might be something like that but I wasn't sure. I do like the performance and handling that I get from this boat and am looking forward to a great season. Hope you all have the same.

[ag4ever]

Yup, I bought my SAN in Oct. '02, and proceeded to take it out on the lake. I backed up and spun the wheel both directions, and thought what the heck. I had only driven outboards before that. You learn to deal with it, but it sure shocked the heck out of me after plunking down some big money for a boat that can't even steer in reverse.

I can put an outboard right against the dock in either direction with just a slight kiss, I have not learned how to do it as well in the SAN yet, but I am sure learing fast.

[882001]

i drove my first i/o in at least 5 years, last week. that thing is hard to dock/ drive wanders around like its drunk. i hated it! youll get used to that inboard in no time, and never wanna go back

[Hollywood]

that thing is hard to dock/ drive wanders around like its drunk. i hated it! youll get used to that inboard in no time, and never wanna go back

Me too over the past summer, I came in at a decent idle, and when i threw it into reverse it took a few seconds before anything happened. A few guys in the bow had to jump out and help slow her down. Woops, I haven't driven that piece since, not plan to.

[AbunDiga909]

I drive our friends 2000 MC 205V a lot and I find that I have a lot more trouble going in reverse in that MC than in our 82 Ski. I guess its cuz of the size and weight difference maybe? There are some times when if I go in reverse for long enough in our boat and turn the wheel to the right, it will eventually turn to the right. Not easily, but once it gets going, its going...

I think the slower you go, the less of an impact you feel from the "left turning." I know some outboard and IO drivers are used to being able to go relatively fast in reverse...not in inboards... the faster i go in reverse in both boats i drive a lot, the more the back turns to teh left or to the right. So next time when you back out off of your trailer, try going extra slow, maybe that will help...

[redelf75]

I have an 82 SN and basically didn't buy a new boat until this year because of the handling. I always thought my boat turned and drove like a sportcar compared to the newer and larger which ride like a Caddy. I chose the 216 over the 210 partly for this reason.

However, I can park that 82 SN like a Cooper Mini in a NYC parking spot. Parallel that is!

Also, you'll find that picking up a skier on the port side is very simple. Just coast up slowly about 12 feet to the side of the skier and nudge it into reverse for 2 seconds. THe swim platform slides right out to meet the skier like a red carpet!

[redelf75]

I think the slower you go, the less of an impact you feel from the "left turning." ...

True, also, you learn to back up left by going forward to hard starboard and then reverse (you don't even have to turn the wheel back to the left), and back and forth. In this way you can rotate left or right. Of couse, that doesn't work so well coming off the trailer.

[BigBald]

Got the same lesson this summer with my first inboard. (Purchased in June - 1988 Ski). But I found that I got the feel fairly quickly. By the end of the summer, I was feeling pretty good...except that I felt a little foolish because I could never get myself to stop steering when in reverse...got lots of bass fishermen lookin at me kinda weird at the dock...

One thing that I did notice is the difference the left pull is in different Nautiques. I have a buddy that's got a 1998 Ski Nautique. It pulled a bunch harder in reverese than my 1988. I have just purchased a 1999 Sport and I am anxious to see how it handles.

[M3Fan]

I drove a boston whaler 18 foot this summer with a 135 Merc on the back- after driving my SN for all this time, I found it way less manuverable around the dock! I always thought inboards were less manuverable, but once you get used to it, there is NO going back. Inboards feel like you're driving a car for some reason. I/O and Outboards feel like you're driving a boat, if that makes any sense.

[siuski]

Try this trick to get it to turn right in reverse. Start off the trailer with slight right rudder. When you come off the trailer and have a little momentum, put it back in neutral then turn hard (or full) right rudder and coast for a few seconds, the flow of the water over the rudder will turn the boat to the right, then put it back in reverse and continue the right turn, that should work. Haven't tried it in a 2001 SN, but it works for the newer (1990 and up) SN's.