Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

[Regal1900]

Hello -

Boat scared me this past weekend.....

I have a Regal 1900 Bowrider (4.3 GLSX) - This is my first boat -

The handling is great when it's just me and my wife -

The other day I had 4 people in the boat pulling a tube (trim all the way down) -

When I would make a turn it felt as though the boat was going to tip right over -

Is this normal?
Is it safe?
Is it possible to roll a boat?

Just want to know if I am pushing the limits of the boat or if this is me being overly cautious -

Thanks -

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

Which way were you turning?? My friends Mariah does the same exact thing I can touch the water when he turns that thing-SCARY, but it is normal on some boats!!

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

my boat will dip down far enough to touch the water if i turn really sharp. It happens all the time, especially when we are retrieving skiiers from the water that fell off. I like it, its fun. And, everyone else kinda freaks out lol.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

Ride a sportbike for a bit....then it won't seem so bad...or ask your friends to loose some weight.

Ian

 

[jdlough]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

When retrieving fallen tubers, make a LEFT turn. I find it's not as scary to be up in the air for a sharp left turn (and gives you a good view of other boats out there), rather than down at the waterline for a right turn (where your own boat blocks your view and you're turning 'blind' for a bit).

Trying to fling tubers off the tube is a great way to find out what your boat can do, and to get you used to it.

Also, I installed Smart Tabs SX. The boat doesn't lean as sharply in a sharp turn, and just 'feels' much more stable. Plus you can stay on plane at a lower speed for the tubers.

Flinging tuber off the tube tip: Zip along at high speed. Slow drastically and take a 180-to-270 degree turn. Straighten out and gun it across your own wake. Fling tuber. Hilarity ensues.

Jim

 

[cadunkle]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

My boat leans pretty far when turning at low speed high power as in recovering fallen skiier. Turn real sharp when moving fast (40-50+) and that's when things can get interesting. You know your boat and how it handles, so long as you arent' about to take water over your gunwale then you're not pushing it too far. With more people in the boat it will handle differently, just take it easy with more people onboard. I've seen guys with a bunch of folks in the bow almost stuff it when slowing down...

 

[highN'dry]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

Do not trim all the way in, that is shoving your bow down, once the skiers are up then trim out to a more neutral motor position.

I disagree about turning to the left for recovery, you should turn to the right so that you (the boat operator) can keep the downed skier in good view as to avoid running over him/her/it.

 

[skargo]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

Do not trim all the way in, that is shoving your bow down, once the skiers are up then trim out to a more neutral motor position.

I disagree about turning to the left for recovery, you should turn to the right so that you (the boat operator) can keep the downed skier in good view as to avoid running over him/her/it.

That's how we always did it, waterskiing as a kid years ago.

 

[rbh]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

If your outside elbow aint wet, you aint draggin a skier.
rob

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

I've had boats that were downright scary on turns and others that were fun to crank around. I think a lot depends on the hull shape and weight distribution. Some hulls will "dig" in and displace a lot of water as they make the turn. I find it much more comfortable as the driver to be at the inside/bottom of the turn. I've had other hulls that tended to "skid" around the corner rather than digging in and those can be downright scary at times. It feels as though it might hit a wake sideways and flip you out of the boat.

 

[rp23g7]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

We bought a 2003 17' Starcraft, i was amazed at how tight a turn it can make. On a 3/4-1/2 throttle turn to pick up a skiier i only have about 6 inches of hull on the turning side out of the water.

When pulling a tube with three people, if i slow down with the three people on it still without trimming the bow down, it feels like the boat is going to stand on its stern.

 

[Regal1900]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

Appreciate all the feedback - it sounds like I just need to hold on tighter and enjoy the ride ; )

 

[BF]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

I disagree about turning to the left for recovery, you should turn to the right so that you (the boat operator) can keep the downed skier in good view as to avoid running over him/her/it.

Ditto. And when going around them (to get rope behind their back), turn right (keep them on the driver's side of the boat), and go around them at idle speed (=no wake).

 

[jkust]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

Our Bayler does this since you can turn with the wheel lock to lock at WOT. My Chaparral likes to aerate the prop (crappy prop) so I can't turn as sharp. The gunwales are a lot higher on the Chap also...I can't reach the water bending over the side when sitting still on the BL I can easily. I think it is fun.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Scary Rollercoaster? Not what I expected....

Trim up there's no reason to turn trimmed down.