Outdrive alignment
 

Posted this over in General Discussion, probably better suited here.


OK boys, just heard this one, tell me what you think:
Heard that on V-hull boats, the drives should be aligned slightly towed-in to compensate for the tendency of the V-hull to send the water outward.

Now, I have never heard of this theory before and I personally do not subscribe to it. However, maybe I should.

So,,,,,,,,,,,,,hyperbole or fact??????

Don't know why , but yes , I've heard the same thing about the necessity for toe in. (and mine is)

I've heard this also, anywhere from parallel, to having the front of the drives 1/8" closer together than the rear of the drives, easiest way I found to do it is to take the props off and measure distance apart from center of dimple on prop shafts and then measure front edge just above torpedo. Should be one of those 15 minute jobs, of course on mine I had to take the tie bar off and get it cut down on both ends to get the correct adjustment.

did any of you notice a difference in handling or top speed?

Jeff, you should realize that if it's on a boat it will take four times the time you think it should.:rolleyes:

I have 4 outdrives, 2 turn left & 2 turn right (out board rotation) Do I toe them all in or what ?

hot rod,
keep all of your straight.

tbird,

yes you want a little toe in. if you have a feel for the boat then play with it. you can tell a diffrence. 1/8 to a 1/4 at the most. the theory is when your at top speed the drives actually straighten out. something you can't see. kind of like a tennis ball flattens when you hit it but you actuallly never see it.

Treadwell

Would toe in only apply to counter rotating drives? I just got a 26' nova st with twin non-counter rotating alpha drives that are 1/2" closer at the leading edge than at the propshaft centerline which seems very odd to me. Wondering if I should reduce to 1/4" or reduce to none when I redo the tiebar.