Hydrostream Vegas XT Torque Steer

[VEGAS88]

1988 Hydrostream Vegas XT with stock 1990 Merc 200, jack plate, and Mazco RE3 27P has too much Torque Steer making steering correction for chine walk impossible. I am considering moving to a Chopper 28 or 29 but expect the same issue, please correct me if I am wrong. The boat will reach 70 mph at 3/4 - 4/5 throttle but trouble begins around 60. I am considering a Bob's rivet on or T & H torque tab. I understand I could build a tab from PC7 or Marine Tex but I am not sure if I should try to reinvent the wheel while learning to drive at speed. I expect a purchased tab could be made larger if needed but would be difficult to make smaller after installation. Thanks very much for any advice or shared experience.

[TooStroked]

Two words of advice based on personal experience: Hydraulic Steering. My Progression 22 used to have a 2.5 / 200 Merc on an 8" jack plate running a 27" 3 blade prop. (Sound familiar?) Latham wing plate style hydraulic steering completely eliminated the torque steer.

[David - WI]

We always just riveted the Bob's tabs on... then trimmed them down as needed. Left the top rivet out until done trimming so you don't have an extra hole in the skeg if you trim that much off.

[LakeFever]

My Valero with tele rack dual cable steering and no LWP was a hand killing exercise to drive all day. My vking with no lwp, the same prop, and seastar pro? Like butter

[David]

You need the torque tab even with hydraulic steering to keep the gear case pointed straight

[VEGAS88]

We always just riveted the Bob's tabs on... then trimmed them down as needed. Left the top rivet out until done trimming so you don't have an extra hole in the skeg if you trim that much off.

Thanks for the help - when trimming down the Bob's tab, I can't picture how to cut it down while it is still on the skeg. Does it need to be removed, trimmed, and then reinstalled?

Is this the process - Boat pulls right due to torque so Bob's tab is installed. If boat now pulls left, remove some tab until a neutral wheel is achieved at the desired throttle setting which I assume is WOT?

Thanks again.

[David - WI]

Yes, exactly. Just mark 1/2" or so and cut it off the top carefully with a hacksaw. When you have it how you want it, drill & install the last rivet if the hole is still there and paint or "aluminum black" the cut edge.

You could also drill out the rivets, cut the tab, and re-rivet it with stainless pop-rivets. We filled in the rivet holes and made a little filet with black RTV so there were no sharp edges.

[VEGAS88]

Has anyone drilled, tapped, and used little hex screws in place of rivets? Then, after adjustments are complete, lock tight could be used on the screws. Perhaps the skeg is not thick enough to get enough threads in place for a proper hold.