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Steering Fins

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[quote][i]Originally posted by Decca591[/i]
[br]Hi Guys
quick question for you all on the topic of steering fins - basically, my boat tends to be rather skittish, much over steering and zig zagging, no doubt to the equal delight and consternation to those parked in my path and unable to outrun me ;-)

Now I have been out in my son in laws boat and not had such problems, and was assuming different length, draught, etc and that I would adapt and settle in to the boats characteristics !!

However, I find after a chance comment that he has these fins attached to the outboard, they straddle the prop and concentrate the direction of flow instead of aiming in all directions - handling at very slow speeds and parking up like putting the car in the garage.

I have looked these up and found "Uncle Norms" an American provider, along with suitable videos that show exactly what I had witnessed.  Now as I would like the good lady to occasionally take charge at least going forwards I wonder what any of you know about such fiins and their availablility ??

Comments appreciated guys !

ps. Revamp of said Norman 23 going along at a pace, just finishing off re-lining walls with new carpet, painted and spruced up and nearly ready for putting back together so the good lady can sit in comfort while I start on the outside !

Will get the images sorted and posted guys, unfortunately work still rears its head occasionally ;-)

Decca

Decca
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T O P I C R E V I E W
Decca591	Posted - 26 Oct 2016 : 19:56:34 Hi Guys quick question for you all on the topic of steering fins - basically, my boat tends to be rather skittish, much over steering and zig zagging, no doubt to the equal delight and consternation to those parked in my path and unable to outrun me ;-) Now I have been out in my son in laws boat and not had such problems, and was assuming different length, draught, etc and that I would adapt and settle in to the boats characteristics !! However, I find after a chance comment that he has these fins attached to the outboard, they straddle the prop and concentrate the direction of flow instead of aiming in all directions - handling at very slow speeds and parking up like putting the car in the garage. I have looked these up and found "Uncle Norms" an American provider, along with suitable videos that show exactly what I had witnessed. Now as I would like the good lady to occasionally take charge at least going forwards I wonder what any of you know about such fiins and their availablility ?? Comments appreciated guys ! ps. Revamp of said Norman 23 going along at a pace, just finishing off re-lining walls with new carpet, painted and spruced up and nearly ready for putting back together so the good lady can sit in comfort while I start on the outside ! Will get the images sorted and posted guys, unfortunately work still rears its head occasionally ;-) Decca Decca
11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Florian	Posted - 07 Dec 2016 : 23:23:08 An add a rudder and two bags of pea shingle in the forward lockers will do what you want, the good lady, Florian florian
Margaret	Posted - 23 Nov 2016 : 08:22:43 Getting the ballast right is essential, our Norman 23 is fitted with a " rudder mate" it boxes in the propeller to improve the handling. If you are new to the boat you do need to practice , especially at low speed. We found the boat difficult to handle when we first bought her but this has improved with practice. J.L mee
Revolvor	Posted - 29 Oct 2016 : 17:51:10 I have something similar to the "Add a Rudder", on my Norman 23 - 15 hp outboard. I also added some bags of gravel to the bow locker, and the combination of both make steering much more positive. I can also turn in a much tighter circle than before. John Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads!
jud	Posted - 28 Oct 2016 : 22:19:40 "Add a rudder", �42 on Ebay, just bolt it on the leg. I've put one on my 23 and the difference was amazing the 1st time out. Held course with a lot less effort and even steers in reverse. It took me about 30 mins to fit, including explaining to swmbo what I was doing and why I was doing it. Jud.
Decca591	Posted - 28 Oct 2016 : 21:34:54 Another avenue to explore ;-) will look into different props as well !! Decca
df	Posted - 28 Oct 2016 : 08:20:26 For low speed manouvering a 4 blade prop can make a difference too. NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community. Visit leomagill.co.uk
Decca591	Posted - 28 Oct 2016 : 07:44:19 Hi Mike Thanks for the comments, it is extremely skittish, not much water in tank, its that time of year for running it down before winter kicks in, I realise that filling the tanks might improve things ! Only have a small space to moor into, nose in and bring the rear round - I think a rudder addition seems the way to go !! Many thanks for all the comments and advice guys ! Keep it coming, I cant be the only one looking at these mods ! Decca Decca
mike	Posted - 27 Oct 2016 : 13:02:09 More power would probably make it worse.Three suggestions. 1. Put weight in the front Normans tend to sit down at the stern and can make for skittish stering. 2. As discussed fit a rudder, ours is just 2 lengths of alloy flat bar bent to make a clamp around the outboard leg, with an alloy plate for the rudder. Bolts at each end to clamp to the leg (tight enought to clamp to the leg not so tight as the leg cracks) 3. Check the steering linkage for play. Also remember they are light weight boats with not a lot of draft so can be a bit skittish. I won't say practice make perfect but it makes for a big difference. Hope this helps Mike
Decca591	Posted - 27 Oct 2016 : 11:54:20 Hi Guys Thanks for the replies ! The one on son in laws boat looks a very simple affair, simply a 3 sided box (simple description) that just concentrates the flow ! Wondered if anyone had any negative experiences of these, so far all comments are good, and looks like might be worth a shot, a bigger engine I suppose would allow more power transfer and acheieve same thing, with fairly low power output from my Yamaha 9.9 looks like a good bet. Thanks. Decca
trevork	Posted - 26 Oct 2016 : 22:16:21 Bob Knowles does a good and easy to attach rudder but its not cheap. "Course Keeper" I think are twin ones for outboards but I have no experience of these.
stratford4528	Posted - 26 Oct 2016 : 20:17:15 Simply a bolt on rudder.

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