2000 Tracker 185 issues

[dennishoddy]

Just bought a tracker 185 with the revolution hull and a 75 merc. While idling, it runs flat. When getting on plane it wants to pull left and has a noticeable lean to the left with the driver side being high. Whats causing this?

[fishinwrench]

Well for starters your 185 is underpowered with a 75, especially if it's a 4-stroke.  A 115 would be better.

The port list at wide open throttle is either caused from weight distribution (battery's?) or from sloppy rigging (motor not centered and/or squared, or engine height is too deep).   

The pulling (steering torque) to the left can be equalized somewhat by adjusting the trim tab on the lower unit. But first make sure the rigging is proper.  

[dennishoddy]

Well for starters your 185 is underpowered with a 75, especially if it's a 4-stroke.  A 115 would be better.

The port list at wide open throttle is either caused from weight distribution (battery's?) or from sloppy rigging (motor not centered and/or squared, or engine height is too deep).   

The pulling (steering torque) to the left can be equalized somewhat by adjusting the trim tab on the lower unit. But first make sure the rigging is proper.  

My wife was with me, and moved to the center seat. It didn't really help much. Mine is a 2 stroke 75 that gets 40mph with a 21 pitch prop. The batteries are on the starboard side and the fuel tank is centered. Its a very noticeable list to the left. The trim tab looks to be in the same position as my 200hp Ranger 375V at about 5-10 degrees.

[fishinwrench]

So all the weight load is on the Starboard, yet it still lists port ?   That's crazy.  Either the rigging is wrong or there is a problem with the hull.  

Is the motor centered and straight?   Cavitation plate no more than 2" below the hull ?     No dents in the bottom of the hull ?  Hull ribs straight ?

What is your WOT RPM ?

[dennishoddy]

I measured the width of the boat today, and measured to the middle of the motor, from each side to the motor mount, and every way I could measure it. The most I got was maybe 1/4" off. Other measurements were dead on. Got on a creeper in the shop and visually inspected the hull front to back, nothing out of the ordinary came to the eye. My motor RPM at full throttle is about 5200 rpm. I'm thinking a 19 pitch might get it up to 6000 rpm if that's top end for that motor. I haven't had time to spec out the factory recommendations for that engine, but was working from memory that 6K was tops for my 200hp merc. 

[fishinwrench]

Sounds fine.  I haven't got a clue as to why it is running crooked if the motor is straight and the load is balanced.   Doesn't make sense.    The outer chines on that Revolution hull are definitely going to try and make the boat run in circles if it goes through the water with a list, so steering torque is a given.  

Weird.

[dennishoddy]

I spent the day putting in a new Lowrance HD7 gen 2, and repairing all of the twisted wires covered with electrical tape in the wiring harness with soldered connections and shrink tubing. Previous owner sure wasn't a retired electronics guy. LOL.

Everything in the flex split conduit now. I'm going to the lake tomorrow with a wrench to adjust the trim tab, and see if there is anything more I can do to correct that list.

[Smalls21]

what year is the boat?

[Smalls21]

nevermind, rigging specs for a 2000 tracker pt185 , should be rigged @3/4" above transom or in the second hole down. with a 12 3/4x21 aluminum prop

[dennishoddy]

what year is the boat?

its a 2000 Pro Team 185 with the revolution hull. The motor is mounted in the second hole.