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Boat Shudders under load


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Just a quick questions for all the Malibu Guru's out there. I have noticed that when I have my VTX loaded up with ballast and the wedge down that I will get a shudder/vibration when accelerating on a turn to pick up a downed surfer. Keep in mind this is a gentle turn and acceleration due to the weight in the boat for surfing. I have looked a the prop thinking we may have hit something, but it all looks great. I have read in other posts that the blade may be bent very slightly and you can't really even see it. I am thinking it could be a little cavitation? It seems to only happen when turning. Any input would be great. I guess tis would be the time to pick up a spare prop for troubleshooting! Whistling.gif

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Just a quick questions for all the Malibu Guru's out there. I have noticed that when I have my VTX loaded up with ballast and the wedge down that I will get a shudder/vibration when accelerating on a turn to pick up a downed surfer. Keep in mind this is a gentle turn and acceleration due to the weight in the boat for surfing. I have looked a the prop thinking we may have hit something, but it all looks great. I have read in other posts that the blade may be bent very slightly and you can't really even see it. I am thinking it could be a little cavitation? It seems to only happen when turning. Any input would be great. I guess tis would be the time to pick up a spare prop for troubleshooting! Whistling.gif

We get the same thing all loaded up. I just attributed it to lots of load and the resultant forces working on all the parts of the hull and drivetrain. (propeller train?) Not a whole lot differnt than the strange "seat of the pants" meter readings when towing or driving a heavy truck.

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My steering wheel shuttered really fast back and forth like you are describing under a heavy load and trailering. I had the Malibu mechanic in the boat for other reasons and he said it is normal while driving it up on the trailer but not normal in regular use even heavily loaded. Took it in and he fixed it. I think he tightened the steering cable or something to do w/ the rudder. Afterward my steering wheel was not straight but it doesn't vibrate.

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Yes, that's normal, and it can manifest itself in the steering wheel too as "slop" in the rack and pinion rattles back and forth.

Try not accelerating in the turn to pick up the person in the water and that problem should go away (along with the wakes you're ruining the flat water with). Thumbup.gif

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...I will get a shudder/vibration when accelerating on a turn to pick up a downed surfer...
...Try not accelerating in the turn to pick up the person in the water and that problem should go away (along with the wakes you're ruining the flat water with).
No power turning involved here!

:unsure:

...I will get a shudder/vibration when accelerating on a turn to pick up a downed surfer...

:unsure: Sounds like a power turn to me. Fingerwag.gif

Tease2.gif

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I sometimes notice a shudder at higer speeds....I can feel an occasional shudder in the steering wheel...even when going straight...maybe that adjustment tab on the rudder?

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have noticed the same shudder when applying power (accelerating) in a tight turn after the skier is down. I was going to wait until summers over to have it checked.

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I have noticed the same shudder when applying power (accelerating) in a tight turn after the skier is down.

Easiest way to fix that...Stop Doing Power Turns!!

After your skier falls, reduce throttle to idle, let the boat settle, put it back into gear and then turn to go get your skier. When you power thru a big ole turn you're sending a huge roller the length of the lake that your skier and every other skier now has to deal with.

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I have noticed the odd shudder in the steering wheel, but not enough to worry me. It should be fine if it's only happening under load.

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