Bav 34 (2009) pulls to port or stb under power

[Bobb]

Looking to buy a 34 Cruiser. Sea trial yesterday & found that under power, the wheel swings to stb by itself, and the further it turns the more the wheel turns .. a strong pull. Will do the same to port if I encourage it. Like weather or lee helm, but under moter. And the higher the revs the stronger the pull.

anyone else have this? know the reason?

[MarkTheBike]

Hi Bobb, welcome to the Forum.

I've got a 34, admittedly 2001, with the original MD2030 engine/prop combination and I have never had any swerving at any engine speed to +3200rpm. It will also hold any turn to port or stbd under power without deviating. Have you had the boat out of the water yet and if so, was there any play in the rudder bearings? Is it possible the rudder has been reversed into something, bending the stock forwards at the bottom? Those are the only things I can think of that might cause the problem. Some of the more experienced people on here may be able to throw further light on this, e.g. unbalanced prop, etc.

Cheers

[tiger79]

I'd also suspect rudder damage, it certainly shouldn't do that.

[Symphony]

That is unusual as one of the features of Bavarias (and many others with saildrive and balanced spade rudder) is there is little influence from the prop to rudder. So not a characteristic of the design and worth investigation at the rudder end.

[tiger79]

Out of interest, how was the rudder feel under sail?

[ANTREVELL]

Does the boat sit upright when on its mooring ?

Regards Tony   Pegatha    Cruiser 33

[Konan the Bavarian]

My 2006 B37CR does the same thing under motor, especially at high revs.
Helm is nicely balanced when sailing.
Have had lower rudder bearing recently renewed, and new prop installed (both unrelated to this issue)
Boat sits evenly fore & aft at anchor.

I would be interested in solution to this too.

I presumed this issue arises from turbulence of water from the prop, as lower speeds has less affect.

Steven
SV Konan

[Bobb]

So Konan's response  is interesting since it confirms my experience.

On haul out, There was no significant rudder play, no suggestion of grounding or being bent, etc. The only other symptom is that the wheel does have some vibration under motor.

She's perfect under sail.

Further thoughts??

[Noelio Abrunhosa]

hi Bobb
on my boat replacing the prop got rid of the vibration. the rubber hub had collapsed and you could move the prop quite a bit. surprising still had drive.

regards

Abby

[MarkTheBike]

...the only other symptom is that the wheel does have some vibration under motor...

Hi Bobb

Further to my earlier reply (#2), I also noticed rudder vibration when motoring on the test sail. Perfectly fine when sailing. Fixed by cinching up the rudder stock nut by a quarter turn. Can't hurt to try...

Cheers

[Jackho]

Just another thought as had this issue myself.  Check the gaiter on the saildrive is not hanging off.