lists to port when underway

D

dmc84dds

GreatGrady Captain
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Sep 11, 2025
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Age
66
Model
Freedom 255
Hello
I have a 2013 Freedom and a noticeable list to port when underway. I can correct it with the trim tabs but it is a steady phenomenon. The boat is loaded evenly, and I can't seem to figure out why it lists
I will check the bottom when it is pulled at the end of the season. I was thinking maybe trim tabs are defective, but they seem to work when I adjust them. or uneven bottom growth?
Can anyone make a suggestion?
Thank you
 
DennisG01 said:
Where do you have your motors trimmed when this is happening?

What does "underway" mean? Meaning, be as specific as you can.
Click to expand...
Sorry, Should have said making way , single engine yamaha engine can be trimmed in any position and does not correct the problem. Some one suggested prop torque? boat does not pull to port, only lists to port when making way (any planning speed)
 
Both of my Grady's have had port list (180 no trim tabs & 222 with trim tabs) the torque from the engine does impact how the boat rides...use your engine trim and your tabs (assuming you have them) or compensate for the list while underway!

I'm assuming nothing is wrong with the boat, a lot of them do it.
 
Up on plane - got it. Thanks for the clarification.

Hmmm. With an engine trimmed fully down (or nearly) it's quite common for all (or at least most) planing style hulls to experience a list due to having too much hull in the water (too much drag). But it should level out once the engine is trimmed to a more neutral state. But it seems you are saying that this continues even with the engine around neutral (or higher)?

How much list are we actually talking about? Admittedly this is tough to convey via forum without some sort of factual representation.

Do you have growth on the bottom?
 
dmc84dds said:
Sorry, Should have said making way , single engine yamaha engine can be trimmed in any position and does not correct the problem. Some one suggested prop torque? boat does not pull to port, only lists to port when making way (any planning speed)
Click to expand...
I'm thinking prop torque too. If the trim tab on the trailing edge of the cavitation plate isn't adjusted properly, the result is usually a list to one side or the other. It's likely that if the motor was truly centered up, your boat would be pulling to the right. But you're putting slight pressure on the steering wheel to the left to keep the boat going straight, which is inducing a list to port side. It's probably so little you don't even really notice it, especially if you have hydraulic steering.

On my boat, that tab is adjusted with the trailing edge about 1 tick mark to the starboard side to cancel out any prop torque. My prop is right handed. That's where I would start. Make small adjustments on that tab and get up on plane to test if it changes the performance.

Sorry this isn't the best photo, but this is all I've got to show the tab position:
1758135904567.png
 
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dmc84dds said:
Hello
I have a 2013 Freedom and a noticeable list to port when underway. I can correct it with the trim tabs but it is a steady phenomenon. The boat is loaded evenly, and I can't seem to figure out why it lists
I will check the bottom when it is pulled at the end of the season. I was thinking maybe trim tabs are defective, but they seem to work when I adjust them. or uneven bottom growth?
Can anyone make a suggestion?
Thank you
Click to expand...
My best guess is your intake for a livewell is open. This happened to me on my 06' 273 chase; when hopping on plane, the stern port side livewell would fill with raw water (hundreds of pounds minimum) and list the boat slightly. Now, when not actively using the livewell, I keep the seacock (located at bilge access) closed so no water can rush in. Was the fix for me.
 
dmc84dds said:
Hello
I have a 2013 Freedom and a noticeable list to port when underway. I can correct it with the trim tabs but it is a steady phenomenon. The boat is loaded evenly, and I can't seem to figure out why it lists
I will check the bottom when it is pulled at the end of the season. I was thinking maybe trim tabs are defective, but they seem to work when I adjust them. or uneven bottom growth?
Can anyone make a suggestion?
Thank you
Click to expand...
It is my understanding that this is a very common thing. I have a 2024 Freedom 275, and mine did it. I spoke with my dealer and we decided to install Sea Keeper Ride tabs. It cured the problem 100% and has been a fantastic addition to my boat. I realize it is a pricey fix, but in my opinion, it was well worth it. I will have it installed on all future boats.
 
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My brand new, 1995 208 had a persistent list to port. My dealer tried moving both batteries, which had been mounted to port, to the starboard side. That largely cured the problem except when the livewell was full.

After that, it was just a matter of getting the trim tab aligned up on the mark I had made. I could tell if I tightened the trim tab bolt and let the tab come off the mark.

I also got a second livewell drain pipe which I cut to half height for days when i didn't need so much water volume. Had to be calm days though, because the livewell would be more subject to sloshing around.

Rob
 
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