Rudder Adjustments for Tracking

[bradcox]

I am the owner of a very nice 99 Sportstar. I have used my boat primarily for barefooting and slalom through the course. Until recently, I had no idea that my boat doesn’t track well through the slalom course. I discovered this only after driving a newer boat that tracks extremely well through the course. I spoke to a very good dealer who gave me some advice about adding load on the rudder by grinding the rudder on one side. I trust his experience and I am capable of handling this.

My question is, has anyone done this, and what tips can you give me? (which side, angle, depth, etc….)

[BriEOD]

Yep, the dealer told you right. However, before you break out the angle grinder and safety goggles understand that once you take some off it's going to remove the play but also it's going to want to pull to one side. So, make sure this is what you want.

If you do decide all you need is a file. Take a little off the leading edge. Remember you can always take more off but can't put it back on.

Good Luck.

[Spyder]

Bradcox, I read on this forum about this topic. Do a search.
One thing I remember was to file very little at a time! As to what side
I'm not sure.

[USC8791]

Had mine grinded by MYMC and am very happy with the change.

[crdickey]

File the trailing edge on the drivers side if your boat is LH rotation and file the trailing passengers side if it is RH rotation. Master Craft's work best if you load the rudder to cause the boat to want to turn right on their own and you only need to steer to the left slightly to track straight down the course. You may be able to purchase a tunable rudder, this allows you the ability to add and remove torque at will. Call Mike @ MasterCraft of Charlotte.

He explains loading the rudder pretty well, just click on this link.
http://mymastercraft.com/Forum/view_thread.cfm?postid=1571&forum=1571&category=2

[east tx skier]

Mine was like that when I bought it. Remember, just do a small bit at a time. Then try it. If you want more pull, add more angle, but only a little at a time. As Brian said, you can't undo it, and a little goes a long way.

[bradcox]

Thanks for the help. Mike at Mastercraft of Charlotte(MYMC) is the good dealer that I already talked to. So. I must be on "Track". I know, bad joke. Thanks again.

Come ski with me in S. Florida.

[DooSPX]

im in south central FL. where you at?

btw, I highly recommend that you look into spending the money for a tunable rudder, that way you can change it to what you want without actually cutting on your boat. I know I wouldnt.

[bradcox]

This week I'm at the 63rd annual GOODE Water Ski National Championships at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, Fla. There have been some good scores this week.

http://www.usawaterski.org/nationals/index_nationals.html

I live in Ft. Lauderdale though. Member at Gold Coast Ski Club and South Florida Ski Club.

[bret]

It will also track differently at different speeds: You can take a bit off, say to get the steering neutral at 30, for cruising, but when you pick up the speed to 34-36, it will again track to the right. My wife was *****ing about the boat being right heavy, I took a small amount off on the port side of the rudder and made it neutral at around 30-32 but as you pick up speed it goes back to being right heavy.

Some of the boats now have 4 fins and a bit longer blade which helps in tracking.

[BuoyChaser]

does the '05 197 rudder need to be "tuned"...it came stock without a tunable rudder...not noticing a problem one bit with tracking in the course, even with some hard "YANKERS" through the course at shortline...tracks like a beauty...

got a local that claims he's tuned 100+ over the years, and tuned my buddies 197 TT...but in comparison don't notice any difference in tracking when driving the two...just that with the tuned have to be more alert as a driver...