242 Limited S pulling to port side

[ChrisP]

My 2015 242 Limited S is pulling to the port side all of the sudden. Both engines are at the same rpm and nothing is in either jet pump. I have to hold the wheel 1/4 turn against it to go straight .......... Does anyone know what would cause this?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Couple of thoughts on this ....

Check the reverse gates are out of the way when in forward. One gate not going up far enough could cause similar issues.

Make sure everything lines up straight and has no play out of the water --- nozzles and keel fin.

A steady wind to the side of the boat will make this symptom appear also. Were you out in the wind?

 

[Bruce]

Is the boat balanced. A weight imbalance from one side to the other could cause this.

 

[ChrisP]

Couple of thoughts on this ....

Check the reverse gates are out of the way when in forward. One gate not going up far enough could cause simar issues.

Make sure everything lines up straight and has no play out of the water --- nozzles and keel fin.

A steady wind to the side of the boat will make this symptom appear also. Where you out in the wind?

I checked the gates and they are working correctly. Also checked that the fin and nozzles were lined up, all looks good. Today was windy but seemed to always stay going straight when letting go of wheel before, even in wind. Maybe the low fuel and light load I had tonight made it feel worse?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

To rule wide or current out, turn around and run the opposite direction. If the pulling changes direction it is Mother Nature.

 

[ChrisP]

I always do a good job of moving people around to keep the weight even so don't think that is the issue.

I am at home now but if it is still happening I will go the other direction to see if it pulls the other way.

 

[MikeyL]

Consideration in "weight balance":

Have you filled up your 10 gallon shower tank with water yet ?

Yamaha's engineering depends on this being FILLED, for complete weight distribution in, at least, the 2015 242LS's.
I'm willing to bet this might help your situation.

Hope this helps, Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[ChrisP]

Consideration in "weight balance":

Have you filled up your 10 gallon shower tank with water yet ?

Yamaha's engineering depends on this being FILLED, for complete weight distribution in, at least, the 2015 242LS's.
I'm willing to bet this might help your situation.

Hope this helps, Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

Yes I filled the tank last weekend. (didn't have any issue before with it not being filled).

I guess I will have to go out again tonight to experiment if wind is the issue. Going to be nice here all week so this is a good excuse to get on the water

Thanks for the input everyone!!

 

[ChrisP]

So I have been out a few times now experimenting. With the wind blowing east I headed south, it pulled hard to the east as I let go of my starboard tension. When I turned around and headed North, the boat went straight just fine but noticed the wheel was not centered. I then ran straight into the wind and it pulled hard to the Port again. I am new to jet boats, are they really this unpredictable? I have always had Stern drives and outboards and they were very predictable.

I love the boat overall, maybe I just need to get used to it?