How to get better "traction" in hard corners.....

[2kwik4u]

Took the boat out last night to check the speedo, and watch the sunset on the water. Lemme tell you it's nice to be ~12 miles from the lake!!

Anyway, since they were forcasting rain (although radar showed it clear), and it was a Wednesday night. The lake was EMPTY. Less than 5 trailers at the ramp that is typically FULL to capacity (listed as 53 spots) it was a nice change. We took the boat out of the no wake zone, got her up on plane, and cruised down the lake for a minute. I was curious just how well it would "handle" should I have to go dodging this that or the other thing in the water. I quickly found that it steers VERY quickly, and seems to turn very sharp even at full speed. However it seems to loose some "traction" in the turn, and I drop speed. Not enough to really come off plane, but enough that it drops 1k rpm, and slows noticably.

Is this a prop issue? The current prop is a 19p stainless 3blade.  Is it hull design, and something I just have to live with? It's not a big deal, but if I can make it better that would be great. Maybe I had the trim set wrong? It was ~1/2 up when running at full speed, and bringing it down just seemed to slow the initial turn in, once into the corner it didn't change much.

Any thoughts?

[cyber]

Just don't be like this idiot...

http://www.thelakepaper.com/articles/20 ... ews001.txt

I would much rather loose 1k RPM and slow down that be dead...

[Hank]

Good Reply Cyber.....
My reply is somewhat the same to 2kwik4u's question "Maby you shouldn't turn that fast"

It's like the old story
This guy goes to the doctor and say's "Doctor, Doctor it hurts when I do this", and the Doctor says " don't do that"  

[2kwik4u]

Oh yea.....we were the only ones on the lake, and I won't be doing "evasive maneuvers" when it's either crowded, I have people on the boat, or it's otherwise unsafe. I made sure the GF had plenty of time to get ahold of something, and I sat all the way down in the seat after making a huge visual sweep......I'd definately rather slow down then be tossed from the boat!

[Hank]

I wasn't trying to bust your chops.... just want to make sure your around long enough to tell us about the next 3 or 4 boats that you buy...

[2kwik4u]

I wasn't trying to bust your chops.... just want to make sure your around long enough to tell us about the next 3 or 4 boats that you buy...

I know.....

I'm a bit of a gear head, and a definate sports car guy, so going fast in a straight line gets boring quickly for me. Although I'm sure tubing, skiing, and wakeboarding (if my boat can handle a wakeboarder) will keep me entertained later this season.

[Hank]

Just try to remember....
Us old farts used to be fast car gear heads as well now we just "CRUISE"

[Dream 'Inn]

Yeah, I agree with Hank...you want to be around long enough for a few more boats!  There are specific performance boats made to handle those turns, without much loss of power, but Rinker isn't the manufacturer of them.  They're made for more of the casual cruise and turning.

remember, on a cold spring day, you are only a couple feet from that cold water, which only a little mistake, and a minute or two in that water....

Edit:  Gosh, I'm sounding like an old fart!

[rdlegacy]

I had to chuckle in reading Hank's comments as well as Dream 'Inn agreement.  My previous boat was a 232 cuddy w/454/B3...my top speed per gps was 63 mph...I also had what I call the “T switch” (testosterone)....or captain's choice.  I remember the need for speed.

However, recently I road with a friend with a 21' Stingray and it sounds much like 2kwik4u performance.  I just remember thinking how much I do not like pounding waves.

Anyway, to your issue 2kwik4u......yes you will get some slippage in a turn.  When you read boat reviews, especially fast runabouts like yours, they typically comment on how well the hull will grab water in a turn.  Some hulls are better than others.  I would think Rinker would perform well.

You will also have some cavitation on the prop....a vacuum forming behind each blade and therefore you’re not moving water at all.  Depending on the turn the propl can also break the surface of the water.  Too much cavitation can literally burn the rear surface of your prop with visible damage.  So be careful about this issue.

All hulls will slip some so I would not be concerned if you are otherwise satisfied with the performance.  Plus, there isn't anything you can do about it anyway.

I still do receive great excitement with speed but on smooth water, like first thing in the morning, or as the sun is setting and everyone has gone home!  It really is great!  Even with my boat, I'm usually standing at the helm with my face in the wind.

BTW....and I'm not criticizing either, you may be a great skipper.  However, I have seen this too many times.  (I teach boating safety)...but when you do plan to make several maneuvers always advise your passengers in advance that you plan to do so.  They need to grip tight and hold on, leaning into the curve.  Also, you should probably attach your kill switch lanyard when doing such driving.  I know it is fun, but like Hank mentioned you want to be around a while.  When you are cuttin' hard, if you hit a wave/wake the wrong way it will throw you right out of the boat!

I have always made it a practice to never surprise passengers, and never try to scare young kids, or anybody for that matter by aggressive driving or while tubing.  Only go as fast as they tell you to go.

That will quickly destroy their interest and eventual love of boating.  Your girl friend may not say it, but does she really like to boat that way, or is she trying to be good sport!

Great Boating
bob

[Hank]

Good advise Bob
I chuckled when I wrote it too..... 10 years ago (and i wasn't a kid then either) I had a 23' Donzi......  in the 60's easy  ...  VERY< VERY FAST... Hey, my 270 will do in the 40's.... I'm very ok with that now a days.... This boat has a/c, genset, blender, ice maker... what else does a man really need...

[rdlegacy]

Now Hank....that would start a whole new string on wants versus needs!  An perhaps not suitible for all audiences!



Bob

[2kwik4u]

I also don't like hitting the waves at mach 5 with my hair on fire.....Although glass like water similar to last nights lake conditions begged for it.

She doesn't really like my aggressive driving style (in the truck or the boat), however understands that it only takes a time or two to get it out of my system, and I'm good for the day. She's sympathetic enough that the first time she drove the boat she wanted to do a "donut" to see what it was like. She commented that she enjoyed it but not enough to pursue a second.

I'm also right with you guys about not scaring the passengers. Scare enough of them and eventually I'll be boating alone. The whole reason for the boat is getting a fun toy that I can enjoy with my friends. I certainly won't be scaring them away anytime soon thats for sure. Little kids are the same way. If Id' been scared when I was younger I wouldn't be anywhere near a boat today, I'll gladly extend that courtesy to todays youth!

In regards to the better traction issue. I suppose it's something I'll just deal with. It won't be a huge pressing issue since I don't see it being a common occurrence. I was hoping someone would say...."yea, just set your trim like this, and turn like this, and it'll get all better". Certainly appears thats not the case. I did do some reading on various other sites, and ALOT of people are saying that the High 5 props are a great solution for better "bite" in the corners, while not loosing much top end. Perhaps I should see if a local prop-shop will let me try one of those for a small fee?

[Hank]

Good to hear that Mike...

Also Bob, you should start that string....

[Dan&Darci]

My two cents on the subject....  On a prior boat I owned, a 1995 21' Marada with 3 blade aluminum prop, "sharp" turns were accompanied by slip, a drop in speed, and a little cavitation.  After I switched to a 4 blade composite prop and added a Doel-Fin the boat improved considerably.  

It also helped acceleration with better bite and faster planing out of the hole

[BigSioux232]

One other tip...when executing a sharp turn, trimming in will minimize, but may not eliminate, cavitation.  If you are making a high speed turn trimmed out, you will almost always cavitate because the prop line is not parallel to the line of travel.