? '71 Wriedt/Sidewinder jet with BBC steering question...

[JW]

I'm not sure what year it is, but looks to be about a '71 Wriedt (sp) and/or Sidewinder jet boat with a big block chevy. Place diverter. My brother-in-law just bought it, and only ran it one time. When it's not on plane, the boat wanders around in circles left or right with no rhyme or reason.

Anybody know why a 70's vintage jet boat would wander left or right uncontrollably when below planing speeds?

Sorry about spelling, just had me a snoot full.................

thanks!

[dicnasty]

thats the nature of a jet!!!

[WICKEDRISTER]

Does it have a berkley pump and does it have a rudder? Pumps that have a rudder seem to track much better than pumps with no rudder at low speed.
Fred

[JW]

No rudder on the Berkley pump. The intake grate has some small fins on either side with holes drilled in them. I guessed they were for a scoop?

So it's normal for the jet boats to wander uncontrollably at idle and below planing speeds? He says his buddy had the exact boat decades ago, and he doesn't remember that one not tracking straight. The jet ski my neighbor has doesn't have a rudder, and it tracks basically straight when idling around.

My bro in law is thinking of pulling the motor for one of his V-Drive boats and junking the jet hull............Anyone interested?

[OldSleekOlds]

Where are you located?

[WICKEDRISTER]

Tell him to find it a good home and don't let it just end up as a old field boat.
Gotta hate it wnen that happens :D

[JW]

He's in Kalamazoo MI. Won't let it out to rot, as there's no room to do that where he lives.