205 Four Winns Sundowner Tilting to left

jlatusek

Recruit
Joined
Jul 8, 2009
Messages
4
Hey, I appreciate any help with this topic. I have a 1997 four winns 205 sundowner with a volva penta 5.7 and a cobra sx outdrive. While sitting in the water the boat sits a little (maybe .5 inches to an inch) deeper on the left side. When underway, especially at higher speeds it starts to tilt to the left. Usually its not a big deal but if you hit a wave at higher speeds it tilts bad so I have to compeltely release gas so I dont tip. The skeg is a tiny bit twisted but was told by an outdrive place that it wouldnt effect it that much. I tought maybe it was a minimally bent prop( doesnt look bent) but was also told it would make it tilt too much just get vibration. I called four winns and they said that its probably the adjustment on the skeg, does any one know how to adjust the skeg on this model and if that would cause this issue? The outdrive guy also told me that he used to have an older boat where the foam under the floor soaked up water. He said after it took it out it was something like 700lbs of water that was soaked up in the foam and maybe it collected on the left side. I also read another thread on this site saying that a guy got 700lbs of wet foam out of a 17 foot boat so maybe I have even more. Is it possible that that is an issue? If so how hard would it be to look and see it, how do I take the floor out? Is it a huge job, can I do it myself. Thank you for your help in advance. I love this boat but it is a little dangerous running it fast.
 

Bilgamesh

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
173
Re: 205 Four Winns Sundowner Tilting to left

My 17' Regal does the same thing, but not to such a great degree as you describe. I was worried about it until somebody suggested it may be caused by propeller torque. If you look at your propeller, the fins are pushing the water on a slightly downward vector on one side, and a slightly upward vector on the other. According to Newtons Laws of Motion, "Whenever a first body exerts a force F on a second body, the second body exerts a force −F on the first body. F and −F are equal in size and opposite in direction." i.e., your hull will react in the opposite direction to the torque of the prop.

As for the slight tilt at rest, I cannot say.
 

jlatusek

Recruit
Joined
Jul 8, 2009
Messages
4
Re: 205 Four Winns Sundowner Tilting to left

Somone told me that I can put some lead pipes or blocks in the right side of the boat to level it out. Anyone have any idea where I can get them? I would probably need 100 - 150 lbs of lead.
 

jacknbella

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
251
Re: 205 Four Winns Sundowner Tilting to left

I'm not sure if your boat is a fish-ski version, but if it is, is your livewell filling up creating more weight on one side causing the boat to list? Just an idea...
 

Kracken

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
158
Re: 205 Four Winns Sundowner Tilting to left

If the boat sits tilted in the water it is NOT the outdrive.

Unballanced load. Could be simple or....Water in the hull foam.
 

jacknbella

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
251
Re: 205 Four Winns Sundowner Tilting to left

I don't suppose you are the original owner? If not, do you have access to it's history? Was it slipped or trailered? Stored indoors or outdoors? Did it ever have a auto-bildge pump?

Is the fuel tank in the center of the boat? Does the problem go away if more people sit on the RH side?

Please help us help you (it's a boring day at work today)!!!
 
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