Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

[docsmally]

Larson 2008 20' lxi just purchased used this spring likes to move to the right then back to the left when moving down the lake at idol speed (5 mph). The boat has only 50 hrs on it and work perfectly in every other way. Have never seen anything quite like this before. Would appreciate any/all suggestions. Thanks!

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Welcome to the club... My 18 ft [not a lLarson however] does the same thing, i believe its rather common with I/Os Try to minimize your steering inputs as it seems to take a few seconds for the boat to react and by then you may have over done it and you have to counter pretty hard... Less is more Trimming down helps. IMHO!
Oooops, just reread your post... Im not sure I understand. Are you talking a general wander? back and forth ? Or ????

 

[JimMH]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

I have a 2008 LXI 208 and the wander while idoling is something I experienced with my last I/O which was a glastron SX 195 and this boat also. I don't believe anything is wrong with your boat. The rotation of the prop is going to give you some of that at any speed. when I owned Direct drive inboards you could parallel park the boat using the throttle due to the rotation of prop would pull you either way.

 

[jkust]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

That is par for the course with an i/o. Just point the bow and you will go in a slight zig zag pattern but a straight course. Don't correct it but go with it. This phenomenon is called bow wander and my ob open bow doesn't do it at all and my i/o open bow does it as most other single prop set up's do. I'm guessing you have previously owned an outboard or dual prop or dual screw set up.

 

[MarkChambers]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Smart Tabs will minimize that wander a good bit. I've got the retractors on mine and the difference when they are down is quite noticeable.

 

[Mkelber]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Easiest way to fix is get twin engines