control and steering issue

[Jimgrady]

Hi, I have a 93 24' Explorer with 200hp outboard, I have a hard time running the boat across the bay when the chop and wakes are hitting me from the side. At times it feels like someone grabs the bow and jerks the boat a couple of feet to the left or right. I am on plane but it feels like the bow digs in and jerks to one side or the other. The boat runs better on a full tank of gas so i'm sure the weight has some effect to this. I'm tired of zig zagging across the bay when I see other same sized boats or smaller going stright? Any Ideas on what is going on or is that just the way this boat handles? I had a 23' proline and do not recall this issue? Thanks for any replies, Jim

 

[uncljohn]

Are you using trim tabs and/or trimming up your motor after you get on plane? I trim my motor up a little when I get on plane to get optimum speed. It almost sounds like your trim tabs are all the way down and its forcing the bow down too much.

 

[cgmiller]

JimGrady,

I believe that the 24 series are bow-heavy due to the cabin-forward setup and long open cockpit, which you will notice more w/o a lot of fuel in the tank. It sounds like you are plowing along and are being subjected wind and wave "drift". If you can get the bow up more, the hull should rise up and over the waves a little more when running in the troughs..or you can alter course slightly to give you a little angle to the waves...every boat is subject to wind and wave action trying to turn the hull in the direction that they blowing/rolling..if you can get the bow up more, there will not be as much hull for the waves to push against and the effect will not be as much, but you are not going to stop it completely.

 

[NO REGRETS]

Trim motor up use tabs to level side to side for level.It is also helpful when effected to NOT lean the boat into the on coming sea.But, most important is to bring the motor up to where it stops bow steering. :goodjob

 

[Jimgrady]

Thanks for the replies, I just did a search on ( handling) and see that I am not the only one having this issue which makes me fell better! I only use the trim tabs to level the boat, not to adjust bow height. I will try raising the bow with the motor trim to see if it helps. Thanks Jim