We just bought a 1995 Catalina 36 shoal keel. Under power it pulls strongly to the left to the point i cannot let og of the wheel without it zipping around. Hard to say if it is doing the same under sail because weather helm may be masking it but the feeling is that it is most under power. there is another 36 at the marina and it has a fixed two blade prop but ours is a 3 blade, not sure if that could be an issue. I would think a 3 blade would only make for a smoother ride. Anyone have the same experience or ideas? Is it just a crazy amount of prop walk?
Thanks,
Craig
pulling hard to the left under power
Sun, 01/19/2025 - 06:12
#1
pulling hard to the left under power
Going forward or reverse? If in reverse, that is normal.
Going forward, you should not feel the pull. Is the rudder centered?
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
Yes, as the other commenter pointed out, in reverse the Catalina 36 will pull hard to Port. If it's doing it in forward, you'll have to open the aft teak panel in the AFT cabin and loosen the cable on the starboard side of the steering quadrant and tighten it on the port side too adjust the rudder.
Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada
Rudder is centered, do not think it is deformed. No noticeable vibration in the shaft, once it starts pulling to the left it just keeps going, does not right itself to a straight line.
Thanks,
Does the boat have an autopilot. If it does, it's possible there is some kind of short or crossed connection to the rudder servo that is making it want to turn right, even if the autopilot is not on or active. Also, I would check all the rudder connections and make sure nothing in between the two aft lazarettes is pushing on the mechanisms back them.
If you center the rudder and lock it does the boat still pull to the left? Prop wash will turn the unlocked rudder.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
Mine does this too. If I'm motoring with throttle and I let go of the wheel, it will start turning to port. I don't think anything is wrong with it. I think it's from the torque of the propellor at higher RPM.