When I was test driving my "new" boat (a 2004 Malibu VLX Wakesetter), I became concerned about the steering. If you are at speed, say 25 mph, and let go of the steering wheel, the boat makes a very hard right turn. Is this normal? The turn was so hard, it seemed a little dangerous. Is there an adjustment that can be made to the rudder? Please help.

That's normal, it's from the prop wash. There was a fix installed on the newer bu's to compensate for this on the rudder. It's only availble from 05 on though. You could change your rudder out, every inboard I've ever driven has done this.

I always hear people say all inboards do this, but none of the Sangers' I've owned ever even pulled slightly. It ain't just prop wash...

I've never driven a sanger. Must be that they are superior to any boat I've ever driven <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

I don't know about superior but I will say well rigged and mechanically Sound. Shake and Bake. I never need but two fingers to drive my boat. My buddies vlx does the yard to the right thing though. I dont mind it makes right hand turns easy and their is alot of those on the Delta.

I have an 04 Malibu VLX, it drives straight as an arrow at any speed. The wheel never turns on it's own.

"I have an 04 Malibu VLX, it drives straight as an arrow at any speed. The wheel never turns on it's own." <BR> <BR>So much for the "prop wash" theory. lol<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/uhoh.gif" border=0>

I don't remember any of the Malibu's that I've driven doing that.

I can drive our 05 with a rider in tow and not even have my hands on the wheel and it drives pretty straight and true. But then again it is an 05 with the rudder adjustment deally

Some people "tune" their rudders so that they do that. Its called loading the steering, and it makes it easier to drive in a straight line because the wheel won't "float" on center. <BR> <BR>Really a trick derived from slalom skiing and tournament slalom boats. Check out the rudder, and see if any part looks like it was ground on with a grinder. If so, post up where and how it was shaped, and someone on here or I can tell you how to alter it again to take the load out. Not too hard, just intimidating on your own boat. I've done 2 or 3 boats, and its possible to dial in just the amount of load you are comfortable with. <BR> <BR>The newer style rudder has an adjustable piece in the rudder than you can piviot to do the same thing. <BR> <BR>Any dealer or good slalom driver should also be able to help you with the grinding process. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by dhcomp on July 01, 2007)

Do some research "Sparky" maybe you'll learn something LOL<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/uhoh.gif" border=0>

Sanger's rudder is offset to the starboard side. Mine will hold straight with hands off the wheel for quite a while at any speed. <BR>To get rid of torque on the rudder you just change its shape a bit. Here's an article that will help you. <BR><a href="http://waterskimag.com/article.jsp?ID=12220&amp;typeID=123&amp;categoryID =162" target="_blank">http://waterskimag.com/article.jsp?ID=12220&amp;typeID=123&amp;categoryID =162</a> <BR> <BR>You don't need much shape change and it will probably change more or less at different speeds so do it in stages.

Great article Art thanks. Sorry I called it prop wash, torque is the correct term. Read up "Sparky" school is in session.

I am the third owner of the boat. The first owner was a professional wakeboarder and I've talked to him about it. Apparently, the rudder has been "tuned" by grinding on it. It will have to have some more grinding to offset. Can anybody tell me how to go about the process? As soon as I can I will look at the rudder and give ya'll a description so you can advise. Thanks! <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Noble59 on July 02, 2007)

nu bu, looks like you're the one learning, not me.lol

How do you figure? I already told you it's an issue with malibu's.

Kenneth, Just grind opposite to where it was ground the first time. You probably have to grind the starboard side at the back but read that article and look carefully at the rudder the way it is now. If you took the boat on trailer to a machine shop they'd probably do it cheap while you wait. You could also do it with a drill and a rasp bit designed for cutting bronze. <BR>If you do it yourself you can fine tune it just right for you.