Boat doesn't drive straight!!

Here are a few possible causes.

The first one that comes to mind is a slipping prop.  What I mean by this is the rubber center or hub that is pressed into the prop.  After awhile the hub can deteriorate or if the prop hit anything the hub can spin inside the prop.  This would be like the clutch slipping on a car.  That would cause one engine to do all the work. This would cause the boat not to track correctly.  A reasonable check for this is to take the boat out and drive it on one engine. Make a mental note of the RPM's and that engines ability to propel the boat under aggressive throttle.  Turn that engine off and start the other. Repeat the test to see if RPM's match up with the boats acceleration.  If one or the other appears to be racing the engine and the boat doesn't appear to be moving along as the other engine did you most likely have a prop issue.

Another possible cause is the steering link between the two engines.  This really isn't all that difficult.  First let's describe this piece and its location.  This is nothing but a round bar made of pipe that connects one out drive to the other. Another words when you turn the wheel and one out drive moves the other must move equally.  This allows both out drives to turn as one.  This bar is located horizontally left to right across the inside of the transom.  You can see this in the engine room.  Here's the possible problem.  If by chance someone stepped on this bar it would bend it. This would in essence shorten it.  So if this was the case you would drive your boat with the rudder gauge straight and one of the out drives would be way out of alignment.  This would certainly cause the boat to track to the right or left severely.  You can basically look at the bar and see if it swags down in the center of the transom.  If it is you will need to remove it and straighten it.  Do this by removing a simple carter pin and raising the attachment pin out. Do this on both sides.  Once you have the pins removed remove the bar and straighten as needed. Re-install and that should correct the problem.  Believe it or not it happens.  I know because it happened to me. I'm not the one that stepped on it but at some time someone did.  This is another example of why we started this web site. 

Another cause could be worn bushings in the pivot portion of the out drive.  You can check for this.  Have someone hold the wheel straight and get it the water. WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.  Grab the out drive and attempt to move it side to side. If it has excessive side to side movement you may have worn out bushings.  If this is the case you need to contact a professional.  This repair could be involved.

Hope that helps

Uncle Ricky