Boat out of control

[san dimas]

Hello everyone,
I have a 14' Valco with a 9.9 Force outboard. When the boat starts to go up on plane, it becomes hard to control. It wants to turn left and right and I have to fight to keep it under control. It seems to me that I should be able to go across the lake at full throttle but it's just too uncomfortable and I don't trust it. I've never had this problem with another boat. Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

Yes it will go up on plane at about with just me in it at about 13 mph and will continue to about 20mph but it gets scary.

 

[oops!]

Re: Boat out of control

sounds like a hooked hull.

got pics?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat out of control

if it's a V hull, could be your bow is too low, causing it to catch and veer. This happens with larger boats and trim tabs. Move some weight back, and/or trim the motor up a notch or two (the bar under the motor). Not too high or it will porpoise.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

It's a V hull but transitions to more flat in the last third or so. It's not totally flat but more than the front. It also has a keel in the front that ends about two thirds from the bow that is about 3/8" wide and sticks down about 1 1/4". I'll try to tak some pictures of it tonight after work.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Boat out of control

Does your motor happen to have a hydrofoil mounted on it? I put one on my 9.9 years ago and it caused handling problems on my 12' Gregor.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

No, there is no hydra foil. Just the stock motor.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Boat out of control

Sounds like the motor is trimmed up to high to me, put your motor down in the lowest setting.

... or the cavitation plate isn't even with the bottom of the hull.

 

[riptorn]

Re: Boat out of control

Yes it will go up on plane at about with just me in it at about 13 mph and will continue to about 20mph but it gets scary.

What about without just you, what happens?

Sounds like the motor is trimmed up to high to me, put your motor down in the lowest setting.

... or the cavitation plate isn't even with the bottom of the hull.

 

[Davem3]

Re: Boat out of control

what happens when someone is up front ???

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

When someone is up front it seems to act the same as when it's just me, I really have to fight with the tiller.. The anti ventilation plate is even with the bottom of the hull and the motor was trimmed all the way down the last time out. It actually seems a little worse with the motor all the way down so I think HOME COOKING may be on the right track. I've tried the trim in several positions and the problem never seems to completely go away. Maybe it is a hooked hull, I don't know. It kind of feels like Im skating on ice or hydraplaning in a car.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

I finally took pictures of the bottom of the boat. The only possible problem I see is the keel at the stern looks like it is ground away. Is it supposed to be this way on a Valco or is this a problem?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat out of control

I finally took pictures of the bottom of the boat. The only possible problem I see is the keel at the stern looks like it is ground away. Is it supposed to be this way on a Valco or is this a problem?

Ayuh,.... That ain't the problem, but what probably Is, is the sideways bend in the keel, 'bout 2/3rds the way forward...

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

Thanks Bond-o. I took the kink out of the keel but after looking at it I noticed that the keel has about a gradual 3/8" bend from front to back. Could this be the problem and if so how would I fix it?

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

Hi Bubba 1235. The skeg is complete and straight. Maybe I better start looking for another boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat out of control

Thanks Bond-o. I took the kink out of the keel but after looking at it I noticed that the keel has about a gradual 3/8" bend from front to back. Could this be the problem and if so how would I fix it?

Ayuh,.... With straight bars, clamps, bracin', 'n a BFHammer....

 

[riptorn]

Re: Boat out of control

Maybe I better start looking for another boat.

Does it leak at all? Same flat hull as my fishing boat. How does it glide at low speed? 9.9 Force might be too heavy for that 14 footer.
Should of had a picture of the transom also.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat out of control

It leaks about a half quart every hour. At slow speed it seems OK. The 9.9 Force only ways 65 lbs. I don't think there is a lighter motor in that class. It only gets squirrelly as it is coming up on plane.