Does the Sceptre dig in the bow with single outboard ?
 

One guy advised me the Sceptre with single outboard rides lower in the bow than stern at " displacement speeds " and steering therefore wanders - doesn't track straight.

Is this a common issue ?

No

What he was probably referring to I what I have been told and observed is the "Deep V wiggle."

It is a tendency of virtually all Deep V's to be very sensitive to surface conditions, wind and currents at hull speed and lower. This is because, I've been told, it is essentially due to dynamic responsiveness of the design that at higher/planing speeds is an desirable attribute of its tacking ability. The Seacraft hulls maybe SLIGHTLY more prone to it only because of their exceptional tracking ability at planing speeds.

Always get a tracking number. Light is right. Balance is Paramount. Tracking comes down to hydraulics or Dinosaurs like me. Look forward. Adjust the wheel as necessary. Be safe.

Cheers,
GFS

That's pretty common, but only when you are sucking down a margarita in a no wake zone, staring at chicks in bikini's, or when you can't pull your head out of the fish finder/gps to pay attention and see where you are driving. :)

all deep v's, regardless of power configuration, tend to do this at less than hull speed.

I like the way Tim describes it, though....

The Mirage plus prop I tried made my 18 cc wander around at lower speeds. He might have had a prop issue.

I guess the perception of "wandering" is influenced by what you are used to, in my case, deepVs, but my Seafari is a whole lot deeper than a Sceptre, probably 600 lbs+ lighter in the stern than it was designed for and, if it wanders, I sure don't notice. For sure, if "wandering" was an issue, mine should be much worse than an outboard Septre.

Upon re-reading Tim's reply, I like his better. too! I'm torn between the margarita's and the BIKINI'd though!

I should probably add that twin thrust vector eliminates 90% of the wander; with twins, pretty much all that is left is often margarita-induced......

My 20 wanders everywhere if I don't watch it, but I'm only going 5 mph - so what

"but I'm only going 5 mph - so what"

Exactly Dixon! You want it to wander, just tilt the engine up at slow speeds, it will wander all over the place. All deep vee hulls do it.

Sorry guys, no margaritas on my Seafari, unless you bring'um. Bikinis is a whole nuther thing. Single 350 I/0.

Well, I wonder if that could be an indicator of age?

My 25 has a very slight wander, not as much as my 20SF. It's worse if I'm watching bikinis and end up over correcting. If I set the wheel and leave it alone, it's barely noticeable. I suspect others exacerbate the deep vee wander by over correcting whether they realize it or not. Like most boat handling issues, it comes down to seamanship.
Dave

So right, if I'm on the flats with it trimmed up and trying to rig something I look like I'm on crack or something.

As long as it tracks straight at fity I'm good