Turning V Hull

[choctaw]

This is my "new boater dumb question". I have only been boating about a year. Had a 16ft. Tri Hull. Recently purchased a 19ft. Glastron V Hull. When turning the old tri hull it "leaned" into the turn moderately, but always felt safe. The V hull is a different feel. The first time I attempted to turn, it really felt like it leaned significantly more. Made me a little nervous. Are these turned over more easily than a tri hull, or do they just lean more into turns. Thanks.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Turning V Hull

When you turn with a "V" hull the forces of nature take over a bit and give the driver the thrill of his/her life.<br />Turning means the outboard pushes the stern of the boat to one side and the effective force past the basic hull shape makes the flattened side of the hull on the opposite side to the turn become the deepest part of the boat. This in turn makes the bow section lean to one side causing the bow to lean to one side thus the feeling you experience. <br />The angle of thrust from the propeller has changed to one side a wee bit.<br />The tighter the turn or conversely the more power used in the turn the more the lean. Until you come unstuck, that is.<br />I guess with two hulls you wouldn't have had such an effect from the boat. It's a great feeling and one you'll come to terms with very soon. Enjoy and welcome to single hull heaven.<br />Ross

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Turning V Hull

Kinda like ridin the ol' motorcycle. You gotta lean into the turn. Your new boat probably turns better than the tri-hull too.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Turning V Hull

Does the engine have a Hydrofoil?

 

[airman]

Re: Turning V Hull

I have hydraulic trim tabs on my 21' cuddy. I wouldn't have bought them but now that I've had them I won't own a boat that size again without them. If I kick down the inside tab on a turn the boat turns way flatter, quicker and sharper. Without them I have trouble making tight turns safely because the boat leans so much I can't see past the hardtop. Plus there's all the regular reasons to get the tabs. (Better planing, balance, etc.)

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Turning V Hull

When that V-hull is leaning dramatically like that it is digging in better that the tri-hull will. It is just like a motorcyle. You don't want a boat to be turning flat unless it is a very low boat with a low center of gravity. Having a boat turn flat presents the possibility that it could rotate outward, causing it to flip. The best thing you can do is just run the boat and get used to how it performs. They used to have the 180 degree wheel turn full throttle test, which means you should be able to run at wide open and turn the wheel 180 degrees and the boat should handle that turn without sliding or skipping or any other horrid handling trait. The tri-hull, because of the outer sponsons, can't lean as much unless the hull design has a high deadrise amount to the center hull, then it will lean better. Flat bottom boats are the worst, if you try to turn too hard it can either come around on you or the prop blows out. In the end, just be safe with it.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Turning V Hull

I've got a Glastron GX205 and it took a few outings to get used to the lean. Now, I enjoy the leaning like (as others said), I enjoyed the way motocycles lean into turns.<br /><br />Do you pull tubes? Sometimes when pulling a tube, I'll do several tight circles to get the water churned up good and sling the tube into the big wakes (often referred to as "Circle of Death". It sometimes feels like I could reach over side of boat and dip my hand into the water the boat is leaned over so far. I like making left-hand circles better because it puts me on top of the lean and I get better view of water looking out for other boats, etc.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Turning V Hull

My new Carolina Skiff, will go like he11, but you have to slow down to turn it, it is flat bottomed (with a low center of gravity) it will not flip, but just will not turn without slowing.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Turning V Hull

Deep V will lean more, however thhis can be exagerated by too much down trim ( pushing the bow down) which will make the boat dig in turn and bow steer when running streight. A hydrofoil can cause the same problem. Do a search on Trim Tabs and Smart Tabs on this forum.

 

[choctaw]

Re: Turning V Hull

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll just take it slow until i get used to it.