Bow very light.

[daviddsims]

Hey I am looking at another boat to purchase. It is a Glasstream 16 feet ski boat with a 120 mercruiser inboard motor. It drives very good except when you get going fast it starts bouncing in the front end unless you put weight up there. Any ideas on what that is or is it just the way the boat is?

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Bow very light.

It is called porpoising and most boats of this type and size will do this.

 

[daviddsims]

Re: Bow very light.

Do smart tabs help this problem?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Bow very light.

Good weight distribution can make a huge difference in how your boat performs. It's worth spending some time figuring out how you can shift some weight from the rear to the front...just enough to stop the porpoising. It'll make the boat safer, too.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Bow very light.

Daviddsims;<br /><br />Yes! and they will improve many other performance characteristics as well. Do a search on Smart Tabs, or call us at 800-233-0194

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Bow very light.

You can also try a Doel fin or stingray fin first.Its a lot cheaper and worth a try.Charlie

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Bow very light.

Boy this sounds like one of them cheesy commercials...<br /><br /> <br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[Jcrain]

Re: Bow very light.

Yeah, it does, so I think I'll use this time to go to the fridge and get a beer

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Bow very light.

Sand bags are cheap. Put one or two in the bow and you'll notice a definite difference.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Bow very light.

I put Smart Tabs on my previous 18' bow rider and performance and ride were greatly improved. I think you'll find them much better than an engine mounted fin.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Bow very light.

I just put smart tabs on too, and noticed a significant difference with bow rise, it was greatly reduced. I have some timing problems to work through to get advance working, but lent a hand to a boat that needed to be towed a long ways to thier dock at the other end of the lake. With 4 people on my boat and 2 in the rear seats towing thier boat with onother 2 people on it at about 5knots from the ski rope loop, no bow rise, boat was traveling like it was not towing anything.<br /><br />Also any snap quick turns are very responsive and if you straighten out right away you can really experience the "shock absorber" effect as the tabs level out your list almost instantly and smoothly.