Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

[cyclops2]

I need a replacement for my 2002 Chaparral 186 SSI. It has a 5 L 220 hp V8. Just a pain to keep straight, off plane & approaching my 12" clearenced boat slip.
It has a 35 degree bow up during the "in the hole" time. Then zips fast to 50 mph. A 250 lb person flattens the hole angle.
I want a level accelerating boat. It should not wander left & right constantly. It should go straight.

Do any of the ski boats meet my needs ? 40 mph is fast enough.

Thanks

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

It has a 35 degree bow up during the "in the hole" time.

I want a level accelerating boat. It should not wander left & right constantly.

Sounds like you need to get a set of Smart Tabs and see how those work, instead of getting a new boat.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

Do the smart tabs or any trim tabs stop the off plane wandering ? Last count of posts stated that the wandering is a built in, hull design problem of our modern bow riders with I/O drives & deep V hulls.

Why would I only correct 1 of the 2 problems ? I want to get rid of both problems.

 

[QC]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

Solves both. The wander at displacement speeds improves greatly, but their primary purpose is to limit bow rise while planing.

All hull styles introduce different compromises. Typical tournament boats have great acceleration, flat wakes, good handling in forward, poor in reverse, hard ride and low top speeds.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

To answer the question:
An inboard ski boat (either a D-drive or a V-drive) will not lift the nose very much. If you get a hydraulic wake plate the bow will lift even less. Any adult can drive mine seated in the driver seat and see over the bow at any speed, with the Bennett plate (tab) down.
Top speed is 39-45 depending on the boat. As QC says they drive differently. It is worth test driving a few and seeing if they suit you. I'd not be likely to go back to a stern drive after owning an inboard, but don't buy one until you've driven it.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

Thank you rallyart.

I have been in several old woody Garwoods, Hackers & other 1930 to about begining of the Vs.
ALL were straight when off of plane.
All are very low bow rise at any time.
All are far less blown sideways at the bow when docking.
Almost all have full length submerged hulls with vertical bows.
They DO have all the best slow speed qualities I like. Their speeds are fine at upper 30s to mid 40s

They do have 1 viscious quality sometimes. SEVERE BOW HOOKING at near top planning speeds. ALL are of the classic John Hacker warped bottom design.

I have started digging into the Jet Boat group. They seem to use a constant Deep V deadrise all the way back. Do the better ski boats use longer deep V hulls also for directional stability on & off plane ?

I really do not care if the 600# of marine plywood & hull drag, requires a 350 CI V8 to do a sedate 40 mph.... It has the right look.... I just need a very stable NON - hooking underwater hull design.

I am trying to lock in on the below the waterline hull shape for the, below boat, my Son in Law & I are cutting up right now.

 

[QC]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

I'm confused . . . Do you want to fix your current boat, buy a tournament boat, or build a classic knockoff?

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

Build a classic knockoff that does not have the bow hooking problems, that all the old warped bottom woodies have, at top speeds in a chop.

 

[QC]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

Glen-L Tahoe 19 or 23

 

[skibrain]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

Sounds to me like you should water test about 4-6 boats and pick the one that best meets your criteria.

D-Drive inboard ski boats have minimum bow-rise, most have a greater than 40 mph, less than 50 mph top speed, and track great at speed. The ones I've driven don't wander at no-wake speeds. They have their own unique low-speed handling characteristics that make them either easier to dock or more difficult depending what you're used to.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

Skibrain

Which makes in the 19' to 20' length seem to be level & not have that bowrider off plane wandering ?

 

[skibrain]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

My seat time is mostly with Malibu Response LX, Malibu Reponse LXi, Mastercraft 197. All seem good to me.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

A classic boat hull is nothing like the hull on my inboard, nor that of a Malibu Response. If you're building a classic replica don't expect it to be similar to a modern fiberglass hull.

Cool boat QC, have you seen one built?

 

[86 century]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

I have a 90 supra bravura dd inboard handles great except reverse. The steering wheel is useless.
Next to no bow rise and she rides ok in the chop.
Good luck

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

Well I am finally gaining some understanding from all the different boat drive setups..........Many thanks to everyone.
Go straight & level in foward... inboard straight shaft.... reverse is not good.
Go straight in reverse... my I/O ....foward is not good.

Go great in foward & reverse with level ride all the time....twin inboard engines...

I was afraid I would need the twins. Reason I picked a 21' boat to start with.

I like machinery. Looks like 2 small z drive gearboxes to complete the layout. & the rudders.

Unless I am off base on my logic. That looks like the only solution ?

 

[skibrain]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

I still recommend test driving some boats to see if they perform as-desired.
6 different boats with twin-inboard drive system to your spec above may all handle quite differently.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

In your analysis do not leave out the direct/v-drive and steering systems being below the boat and not moveable versus drive tilting available for sterndrive.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

I did electrical & computer modifications before retirement. So If I were to simply put in a bow & a stern thruster of about 80 pounds each, that would really allow me to do 1 man cruises again. I simply put both thrusters to pin the hull to the dock.

Rouge River Jet boats was kind enough to tell me how they keep their boats straight in rough waters. The use of a constant deadrise hull. It makes sense to me. Longer below the surface hulls, increase directional stability.

 

[QC]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

I think you are assuming that the knockoff plans have the same hull designs as the originals 80 years ago. I don't think that's the case. What's your budget? Have you looked into Axius?

It seems like you have two handling goals. One is high speed bow hooking stuff and the other around the dock. They are not related if you ask me.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Do ski boats stay very level all thru their speed range ?

I did electrical & computer modifications before retirement. So If I were to simply put in a bow & a stern thruster of about 80 pounds each, that would really allow me to do 1 man cruises again. I simply put both thrusters to pin the hull to the dock.
.

Might be easier to just buy a fat sack to offset your weight when boating alone.