steering tab, 25ho Mecury

**polarcrafter** · 08-22-2014, 07:34 PM

My BIL recently purchased a used bps tracker alum boat with a 25hp Mercury short shaft motor. During the first trip out the boat pulled hard to the right. Inspection revealed bolt holding steering tab was stripped. A new tab was ordered from Iboats using the same using same part number as was on tab. When the new tab was installed it had less than 3/16" total movement (adjustment) and after a trial run today there no improvement in the handling ( boat still pulled hard to the right) tried adjusting both full right and full left but could tell no difference in the steering. Any one have experience in replacing broken or damaged tabs, how much adjustment should there be for the tab?
The boat does have stick steering and we would appreciate any suggestions, comments or past experiences in correction this problem

**dfar** · 08-22-2014, 10:18 PM

IMHO that trim tab should have more adjustment than 3/16". That little amount of adjustment will make nearly Zero difference.
I would check the part number you ordered to see if it is the correct part for your model of motor. The one that was on it when purchased might not have been the correct one.
It might help to post pictures taken at different angles of the motor on the boat so some one might pick up on another problem.
Also post the model number of the motor and the part # of the trim tab you have.
Some one on here might look it up for you

Just a another thought is have you checked the hull of the boat for damage?

**Barnacle Bill** · 08-22-2014, 11:13 PM

What year is the motor? Some of those tabs must have the bolt loosened quite bit before you can turn it. A good stating point would be to adjust the rear of the tab about 10° to starboard.

**Rees Guide** · 08-23-2014, 05:51 AM

Heighth of the motor could be an issue as well. I know on mine it makes a huge difference in torque

**polarcrafter** · 08-23-2014, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

What year is the motor? Some of those tabs must have the bolt loosened quite bit before you can turn it. A good stating point would be to adjust the rear of the tab about 10° to starboard.

It is a 2001 Mercury Tracker motor {package unit from BPS) The tab has a saddle and mating surface that come together when the bolt is tightened and we can't see any way to adjust and tighten and don't have the old tab to compare (another story) Plan to contact tech rep. at Iboats on Monday: mean while any information would be appreciated. No pictures available at this time.

**polarcrafter** · 08-23-2014, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by polarcrafter

It is a 2001 Mercury Tracker motor {package unit from BPS) The tab has a saddle and mating surface that come together when the bolt is tightened and we can't see any way to adjust and tighten and don't have the old tab to compare (another story) Plan to contact tech rep. at Iboats on Monday: mean while any information would be appreciated. No pictures available at this time.

We also noticed that the d/f transducer is approximately 2" lower than the bottom of the boat. Could this be contributing to problem: also, the faster the boat speed the more pronounced the pull to the right. The transducer is mounted on the right side of the boat. Thanks

**dfar** · 08-23-2014, 08:59 AM

Transducer is mounted too low but I don't think that is the main problem. It is more likely the trim tab and/or motor height as mentioned above.

**Barnacle Bill** · 08-23-2014, 09:28 AM

Looks like the trim tab part number should be 98432T5 . 98432T 5 - TRIM TAB

**Mike R** · 08-23-2014, 05:30 PM

Has the skeg at the bottom of the motor been damaged?

**polarcrafter** · 08-23-2014, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mike R

Has the skeg at the bottom of the motor been damaged?

No damage to skeg..

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