98 Four WInns listing to starboard??

yynnot

Recruit
Joined
Sep 26, 2003
Messages
5
Hey guys new to boating and this forum. I just bought a 98 Four Winns 225 sundowner and I noticed when sitting in the water it leans to the right side. I checked everything there is nothing inside that would cause it to lean the battery is on the right side but it would not make that big a diff. It leans about 5-6" I would say. I saw the post about the guy with the new Chap with this problem it doesn't seem like anyone knows what could cause this if anyone has any ideas please help me out.. :confused:
 

Spidybot

Lieutenant Commander
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Apr 4, 2002
Messages
1,734
Re: 98 Four WInns listing to starboard??

If your investigation showed no obvious reason, if there is no trapped water in any hidden rooms and there is not fitted any extras that may cause it, you have a hard deal.<br /><br />Try emptying it from all gear and see what happens. The battery should be moved - if not for anything else it will help (weigth moved from side to side has double effect on list as the weight is removed from one side AND added to the other).<br /><br />Is there a water- or holding tank onboard? Full or empty?
 

yynnot

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Sep 26, 2003
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Re: 98 Four WInns listing to starboard??

No holding tank.. No water in bilge or engine compartment. What do you mean hard deal????
 

mrn714

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
178
Re: 98 Four WInns listing to starboard??

In calm water, add weight to the other side until it is level. If it stays level, it may be a internal worm problem. It is lists back and forth, it is a watedr holding problem. A round bubble level will work best.
 

yynnot

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Sep 26, 2003
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Re: 98 Four WInns listing to starboard??

I am new to this what is an internal worm problem??
 

Spidybot

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Apr 4, 2002
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1,734
Re: 98 Four WInns listing to starboard??

'Hard deal' - just that it is a hard problem to solve.<br /><br />The boat needs to be in asolute balance to flow 100% even. A number of things can affect this, the obvious being the ones pointed out here.<br /><br />If the manufacturer installed something not 100% correct (like you read in some posts in Suds' topic about the new Chaparral), it may cause a list. Anything installed later may do it. Water in some closed compartment may do it.<br /><br />It is true that water can change the list if it moves, but only if it is trapped in a compartment that allows it to move from side to side.<br /><br />Good that bilge ect. is dry, but some closed compartment, not easily accessible, could be swamped too.<br /><br />I'd suggest you start by emptying the boat. All luggage compartment and all.
 

yynnot

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Joined
Sep 26, 2003
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Re: 98 Four WInns listing to starboard??

Can anyone help I think I found the problem?? When the boat was on the trailer I was at the right rear outside of the boat and shook the boat and heard water swooshing around at the right rear of the boat. I also noticed what I thought was a deck drain at the right rear of the boat. I think probably from rain water it drained through that drain at the rear of the boat and is trapped in that compartment. I looked in the bilge area and there are no holes from that compartment into the bilge compartment to drain and be pumped out. Can anyone tell me what the holes on the rear of the boat are that are on the left and right of the outdrive I believe they may be called scuppers and it looks like the water is supposed to drain from that drain I am guessing. If that is what they are for, then why is there water trapped in the hull???? SORRY FOR THE LONG STORY JUST WANT TO GET ALL THE INFO OUT THERE.. PLEASE HELP!!! :)
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: 98 Four WInns listing to starboard??

Hopefully a Four Winns owner will jump in to help. Do you know if the hull is foam filled below the deck? If so you may have a real problem and that being waterlogged foam. In any case I'm sure you will want to get the water out even if you have to drill a hole into that compartment.<br /><br />Your experience is a good example of why the folks here will strongly reccomend that a prospective buyer get a survey and thorough water test before buying. Better to find problems before rather than afte.
 
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