Trojan Boat Forum

I have three questions I sure could use thoughts and ideas regarding my f28 the phoenix.

1. Boat has a list to starboard a coupled of degrees even in dock. No water in tanks, fuel tanks equally full everything on centerline or equidistant other than flybridge control station is offset, wheel in center, guest chair to starboard of fly helm. Lower helm is on Starboard as is most of the wiring and power centers and frig is on port side. Thoughts?

2. Engines seem to be running perfectly 318 Chryslers both at WOT are 3000 RPM and best speed is 20 MPH. Trojan says should do 31. I have not as yet opened engine room at speed and checked to see if secondaries are opening on AFB carbies, might be the issue. The boat does have a 400 lb mcck genney between engines.

3. On plane the hydraulic steering seems to require a lot of correction and what I would perceive as slack, just like an old car with loose front end that wanders. Hydraulic oil low? Rudders trimmed incorrectly?

1) More beer in the fridge and move your self to port

2) & 3) On a more serious note : Have you cleaned the bottom and running gear yet ? fouled gear and rudders could cause all the issues .


3) To much trim tab use will cause steering issues at speed

the beer is a good idea, have not cleaned bottom yet, what I see of it really does not look that bad but bet it is. Playing with trim you can steer the boat to a degree, but is not trim as it is same setting at dock not moving. Most concerned about the 3k rpm at WOT next week will check for WOT visually while underway I have a suspicion the secondaries are not opening, could be binding, though I do not think so as I rebuilt them. It could be a choke linkage adjustment that prohibits secondaries from opening until engine has enough heat in it, might be Chryslers version of the bimetallic spring in the manifold pocket that is shot.

I do not see how the boat could be heavier on one side than the other, of course I see how, but cannot locate it.

I am not familiar with hydraulic steering issues, I don't see any leaks but a low filling of hydraulic seems it would or could cause slack as could slack in the steering gear, has new steering cylinder installed, have not checked the connections to rudders yet.

I have seen a lot of info on setting rudders, seems a lot of people get boat on plane and loosen one rudder then while holding straight tighten the loose one down making them the same?

Just measure the distance between the front of the rudders and then the back of rudders. the rear should be 7/8" farther apart (+- 1/8 ) this will give you the correct toe of approx 5 degrees total .

Ignore the tiller measurements in the photo .
This was from a post by ready123 http://www.trojanboats.net/wforum/viewt ... rudder+toe

Thanks Paul this is a big help. The speed and rpm issues I think I can solve, my bet secondaries are not opening + dirty bottom are causing.

It seems like low hydraulic oil or air in system will cause steering slack?

It could .It sure would not hurt to check it . Do you know the type of system ? If its a pressurized system check the pressure too .

larryeddington wrote:I have three questions I sure could use thoughts and ideas regarding my f28 the phoenix.

1. Boat has a list to starboard a coupled of degrees even in dock.

My 78 F30 also lists to the starboard a few degrees at the dock. Underway its not a problem as the trim tabs balance it out.

I have 2 helms, the dinette, a bathroom, a hot water heater, and all the cabinetry is on the starboard side. On the port is the galley and couch with minimal cabinetry.

Obviously, you will want to store all the heavy stuff on the port side where possible.

I have had stringers checked out and recently passed a survey.

I say @ 35 years of age a little list ain't that bad. Besides, it always the Searay owners that point out the list to me!!

Paul it is not a power hydro system, Looks like the original old one. I think just using regular hydraulic will work fine, comments.

Paul it is not a power hydro system, Looks like the original old one. I think just using regular hydraulic will work fine, comments.