I should think it would help. Possibly add an inch or so in front of the drive as well, as the drive is a good part of your "rudder". An outfit that does custom nose cones, etc should be able to do it for you.

It's not one of my problems but I'd also thought one could install twin rudders on the transom, and slave them off the outdrive with a tie bar.

Whatever you try, keep us posted; a lot of folks would be interested.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

The cure is twin engines.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

I've always thought on these single stern drives you could attach two aluminum plates along the sides in the back of the boat (about 5' long and maybe 10" wide) that would help tracking considerably.

Fixed skegs would definitely help tracking; but they wouldn't do much for maneuverability. Everything is a compromise.

I'm thinking that in addition to the extra "rudder" the twin boats sit lower in the stern due to the weight; and therefore track better. Any boat that's down by the bow or nearly so is hard to steer.

If speed isn't an issue a drum or two of water ballast on the stern would be a quick, easy, and cheap way to find out. If it helped, I'd think about installing a new fresh water tank as far aft as I could get it, and maybe leave the original tank empty.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

The lag time is something you will have to get used to; it's not a fishing skiff. You have several tons there and lots of inertia.

More rudder area will improve the reaction; but you'll still have the lag. What happens with newbies is they are not used to it so when the boat doesn't respond quickly they apply MORE rudder; then when it starts to turn it picks up momentum. Unlike a car or a small boat you do NOT leave the rudder on, as soon as the bow starts to swing you reduce the rudder to just enough to keep it turning. Take all the rudder off and maybe apply counter-rudder as you approach the new heading; otherwise all that inertia will carry you past your heading and next thing you know you're all over the river. I think you're already familiar with that...

My guess is this was Zone Man's problem.... With time you'll learn the tricks. Mainly, use as little rudder as you can, be patient and plan ahead. It's a lot like learning to ride a bicycle; once you get it you'll wonder what made it so hard.

Houseboats have their own particular problem; with the forward steering (often off-center) you have no way to "aim" the boat and it will get off-course before you notice it. My approach to that is to stick a sun-catcher on the window directly over the compass, just an inch or so above my line of sight. It gives me a reference point; a piece of tape works just as well but everyone thinks the suncatcher is just an ornament. Try it; it really works.

Maneuvering I'm not sure you'll be able to get away from having to use a lot of wheel. Some folks like a spinner knob on the wheel.

Probably, time and practice will solve most of the problems for you.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Just a thought here. Why wouldn't trim tabs serve as a great help in maneuvering? Gibson s tent to skid across water due to keel design and not react fast. But with one tab down and one up I'll bet it would turn a lot harder. Never had the opportunity to try but sure sounded good. 

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Boatless at the moment
www.spboatsales.com

Monkey rudders will help but you pay for this in drag. Hold off for a season and get more experence. You will probably not need to do anything. There are hundreds of these things out there and most people learn to handle them and do a credible job. We sold a 36 Nautaline to a lady and you'd think she has twins. Zero wiggle in her wake. Shes got the "touch".

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Agree with OHB. Play with it for a season while you think over the pros and cons of all the "options". There's a good chance that by the time you get a "round tuit" you won't need it.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Here's a pic of a small houseboat with LEEBOARDS to control the slide and improve maneuverability.


(One is just below the captain, there'll be another on the other side.)

They're something you could build in the garage, and hang on the boat while it's in the water. Lift 'em out when not needed. Cheap, no modifications required. Generally they're weighted to stay down, and will kick up if they hit anything.

Pic is from HANDMADE HOUSEBOATS by Russell Conder

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Edited: 11/11/2007 at 09:41:30 AM by stmbtwle

I know you mentioned you thought the hydrolics were faily well tweeked, maybe a quick check of your fluid level and make sure the line has no or as little air in it as possible I know it help my response time new at this,

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"Come OOON Back............