Boat lists starboard

[zornman]

I'm having an issue with my 'Bu listing starboard. I am curious how much of a list others get while in the boat by themselves. First, I do not have anything heavy in the boat to cause this issue. Actually, I took everything out of the boat except a few life jackets because the boat went back to the manufacturer. Secondly, the list only occurs while the boat is under power.

If I am in the boat by myself, the boat leans so much that a turn to the right feels like I am on a bank curve and a turn to the left feels like I am on rails. In order to get the boat to ride level, I actually need to sit in the observers seat and reach over to steer. In this position, the boat is perfectly level under power. Basically, I need about 300 pounds + the weight of the driver on the port side for the boat to ride level.

Malibu had the Marina remount the fins - no fix. I just got the boat back from Tennessee (they remounted the fins again) and they claimed that the driver could just lean towards the middle and the boat would level out. I have found no change. I still need to sit in the observers seat as the only passenger to have the boat ride level.

What is everyone else's experience with this issue? I find the boat very uncomfortable to drive by myself. If I don't lock the drivers seat, it will actually turn unless I push back with my legs.

Thanks.

[wedge88]

I have a direct drive RLXi and don't have any issue if I am by myself.

I'm having an issue with my 'Bu listing starboard. I am curious how much of a list others get while in the boat by themselves. First, I do not have anything heavy in the boat to cause this issue. Actually, I took everything out of the boat except a few life jackets because the boat went back to the manufacturer. Secondly, the list only occurs while the boat is under power.

If I am in the boat by myself, the boat leans so much that a turn to the right feels like I am on a bank curve and a turn to the left feels like I am on rails. In order to get the boat to ride level, I actually need to sit in the observers seat and reach over to steer. In this position, the boat is perfectly level under power. Basically, I need about 300 pounds + the weight of the driver on the port side for the boat to ride level.

Malibu had the Marina remount the fins - no fix. I just got the boat back from Tennessee (they remounted the fins again) and they claimed that the driver could just lean towards the middle and the boat would level out. I have found no change. I still need to sit in the observers seat as the only passenger to have the boat ride level.

What is everyone else's experience with this issue? I find the boat very uncomfortable to drive by myself. If I don't lock the drivers seat, it will actually turn unless I push back with my legs.

Thanks.

[bretski75]

In smaller boats like mine this is pretty common when there is no observer. I just added weight to the left side to balance. lead works good.

[BlastRlxi]

Is the battery on the starboard side? If so, that doesn't help either.

[zornman]

Is the battery on the starboard side? If so, that doesn't help either.

Battery is under observers compartment. There is nothing on the starboard side underneath seats - no heater, sub (waiting to correct this before installing), battery, etc.

[bigD]

I use the factory ballast to level mine all the time.

[99response]

Not to be a smart...well you get it... but how much do you weigh?

[Sixball]

My 07 Rlxi is also very weight sensitive. I think this is one of the biggest reasons CC still rotates there prop the other direction. I keep two empty cat litter pales with tops on or at the boat lift so I can change the boat ballast for driver only skiing.

I think this is the one think I would find fault with my Bu!

[zornman]

Not to be a smart...well you get it... but how much do you weigh?

That is one of the first things I thought, but I ruled it out. It doesn't matter how much the driver weighs. I simply need 300-350 pounds more on the passenger side than the driver side. Basically, I need almost 2 more people port than starboard for the boat to level out.

I am going to try a test this weekend. I am going to take a 400 lb sac and see how much I have to fill it to level the boat. My guess is that it won't be enough to make the boat ride level with just myself in the boat. If it's not, then I will put another smaller sac in to see how much more it takes.

Really, I am trying to get an idea of how other boats handle passenger weight. I have a buddy who weighs about 30 pounds more than me. When he sits on the passenger side while I am driving, the boat still lists starboard.

Surfing is interesting behind the boat. I put abut 800 pounds more ballast port than I do starboard for similar waves.

[zornman]

I use the factory ballast to level mine all the time.

Problem is I have a sunscape. No factory ballast in the rear.

I know this boat doesn't perform to Malibu's standard because they have paid to have the fins remounted twice. I'm just trying to get an idea of how much improvement I should expect in order to be satisified.

Maybe I'll try to get some pictures this weekend if the water isn't too rough.

[Laycon Row]

I have the same problem in my 2005 VLX. I think the deep V hulls are very weight bias sensitive. I usually half fill my Port ballast when riding solo, but you don't have that option. I have recently added a second battery and relocated the factory battery as far outboard as possible. That seemed to help. I also stow my heavy gear exclusively on the Port side, particularly the anchors.

Make sure you are not carrying a bilge full of water. That will really lean you over as the water rushes to the low side.

[johnsvt]

Prop rotation?

[Surfin247]

Does the Bu list as badly with the boat at rest and no passengers. If not what kind of prop do you have.

[zornman]

I have the same problem in my 2005 VLX. I think the deep V hulls are very weight bias sensitive. I usually half fill my Port ballast when riding solo, but you don't have that option. I have recently added a second battery and relocated the factory battery as far outboard as possible. That seemed to help. I also stow my heavy gear exclusively on the Port side, particularly the anchors.

Make sure you are not carrying a bilge full of water. That will really lean you over as the water rushes to the low side.

Obviously my dealer agreed that there was a boat issue because they discussed the issue with Malibu and Malibu agreed to have the fins remounted under warranty. No change. Then Malibu took the boat back to Tennessee and mounted them the original way. No change. Tennessee told the dealer that the boat was "fixed." They said the boat lists slightly and if the driver leans to the middle, the boat levels out. This simply is not true. I have had a 155 pound driver and myself at 210 drive the boat and neither can simulate what Tennessee said. In fact, 155 pound driver and myself as a passenger and the boat still lists starboard some. I probably needed another 150-200 pounds on my side. Basically, 3 people minimum for the boat to level out. Now getting it to list port is a whole different story. Just keep adding people and it will get there.

No water in the bilge (or anywhere in the boat for that matter). Prop is an OJ 475. I used to have the Acme 381 that came wth the boat. No change except better hole shot and only 1 mph off the top end.

Also, the boat does not list at rest. I can move from side to side and make the boat lean both ways while at rest.

Edited June 9, 2009 by zornman

[UWSkier]

At what speeds is this happening? In our '01, if I'm by myself and cruising at say 20 MPH or so, there's a list to starboard. If I crank it up to 30-40 MPH, it's relatively flat with only a slight asymmetry to the wake. With the weighting of the V drive and the prop rotation, you're always going to have some list to starboard when you're by yourself... unless you buy a Correct Craft, and then you have to deal with French engineering.

[Surfin247]

Has anyone checked the propshaft for proper alignment. And even more unthinkable has the engine alignment on the mounts been checked to see if it is square. If the list only occurs while underway then you are getting an over amplification of the list caused by prop rotation. Sounds like an alignment issue especially if it is dead even while at rest. Has anyone checked out your rudder is it perpendicular to the bottom hull of the boat. could it be slightly bent and amplifying the list from propwash. That is all I can think of.

[Matt_Alger]

I have a similar concern with mine although no where near as significant. Also, mine lists to PORT. My dealer hasn't addressed this issue yet. Frankly, I would rather have your problem. Usually you have more people wanting to sit on the port side so if it lists to starbord then it isn't as much of an issue once everyone is in the boat. If I am in the boat by myself (and have removed all gear but the minimum USCG safety equipment) it is basically level but add a 150 lb person to the passenger side and it is clearly not level. I have 2 batteries under the observer's seat so that is a disadvantage for me. However, I store my tower boom and all other heavy stuff behind the driver to somewhat offset the issue. I have even thought about moving the batteries to make it level with just me driving and 1 passenger on the port side. To date, I just find the biggest guy and sit him behind me and am usually good. I also bought a jump seat for the walkway which allows me more options on moving people in the boat to level the wake. The list is clearly more noticable at 20 mph than 40 or 50 mph.

[johnsvt]

How does the wake look? I have heard of boats that have had to have hull repair because the wake was not the same on both sides.

[zornman]

How does the wake look? I have heard of boats that have had to have hull repair because the wake was not the same on both sides.

If I have 200-300 pounds more port than starboard, the wake is nice and even. With less weight than that, the port wake washes out.

I was able to take a quick spin in the boat last night. I guess I found one advantage to the list. With myself and one passenger (about 370 between the two of us) and the wedge down, the wake starboard is definitely surf worthy. I don't think too many people can say that. To get the same wave port, I would need at least 1000 pounds of ballast in addition to having my passenger sit port.

As far as alignment, that was the first thing the dealer checked 2 years ago when we first started looking at this issue. I'm not sure what the proper method is for checking alignment, but supposedly it has been done. I don't know if they checked the rudder at the same time.

Also, the list starts as soon as the bow starts to rise - maybe 6 mph. It does lessen some above 35 mph but is still present at W.O.T.

Edited June 10, 2009 by zornman

[Hydrogasm]

My neighbor has a very similar problem with an '09 Regal 20' bowrider with a 305 Chev EFI engine. The boat lists to the port side with him alone (180lbs). With an i/o the trim does not make any improvement. Like others have suggested, positioning passengers corrects the problem but hard to do when he is by himself. The selling dealer checked drive installation etc and everything was in spec. The factory told the dealer to put a straight edge on the bottom fore to aft on the running surface to make sure the hull was true. The result was in the length of the straight edge (5' I think), one side was convexed 1/4" and the other side was concaved 1/4". Regal wants to have the concaved side filled and re-gelled to repair the problem. The boat was that way from day one and has about 25hrs on it now. If you access to a good straight edge, it is worth a try to make sure the hull is true. Hope that helps, Gary.

[zornman]

My neighbor has a very similar problem with an '09 Regal 20' bowrider with a 305 Chev EFI engine. The boat lists to the port side with him alone (180lbs). With an i/o the trim does not make any improvement. Like others have suggested, positioning passengers corrects the problem but hard to do when he is by himself. The selling dealer checked drive installation etc and everything was in spec. The factory told the dealer to put a straight edge on the bottom fore to aft on the running surface to make sure the hull was true. The result was in the length of the straight edge (5' I think), one side was convexed 1/4" and the other side was concaved 1/4". Regal wants to have the concaved side filled and re-gelled to repair the problem. The boat was that way from day one and has about 25hrs on it now. If you access to a good straight edge, it is worth a try to make sure the hull is true. Hope that helps, Gary.

I'll give that a shot this weekend. I only have a four foot straight edge, but I should be able to tell if there is a difference from side to side with a little creative measuring. Thanks.

[Surfin247]

Measure the distance from the center of the boat to each of the chines for the whole length of the boat that is in the water while the boat is at rest. If one of the chines is longer than the other corresponding side then you will have more lift on one side and less on the other. Not sure what effect it would have if the mold for this hull was not level when it was poured and glassed, but if it was not level the hull could have shifted off center.

[twrv]

I spent 3 years trying to convince Copes that I had this problem. They kept blaming me, the way I loaded the boat, my driving or my inability to adjust to a weight sensitive boat. Thank god they went out of business because I got to deal directly with Malibu.

I just got my 21XTi back from the factory for this same reason. It sounds like they did much of the same "repairs" to my boat as they did to yours. Re-centered the fins, shaft bearing etc. No change. They really seemed quite baffled. They told me to take it out for the summer and then bring it back because they were getting into their busy season. Understandable.

My boat leans to the starboard side whether it's resting or moving. I'm only 150 lbs so it ain't me. I have a cop buddy with portable scales who weighed it (trailer and all) and found that it is around 400 lbs heavier on the right side. I posted this on my own thread a while back and the best theory I heard was that perhaps they sprayed the gel coat heavy on one side.

I don't know what it is but it is quite a nuisance and feels like a slow right turn will turn the boat over (for some reason, turning at speeds doesn't give you that sensation). Don't even get me started on how messed up the wake is.

I wish someone could figure this out so I can get this fixed. Just kind of ticks you off after spending so much money on a quality boat.

[bretski75]

The way an XTI is designed i can see how it is weighted more to the starboard. And the fact that weather its under power or not is consistent with more weight on that side. The gel coats are thin so I doubt that could be it.

Am I understanding that the root issue in this thread is a boat that sits level idle and leans an unacceptable amount to the right under power??

[twrv]

I think the problem (at least in my boat) is that the boat is always leaning regardless of whether it is at rest or not.