Rear end stepping out

[KDAVID1]

I fished 2 crappie tournaments this weekend so I ran the boat all out both days (biggest workout it has had ever)
Lots of turbulent water due to boat traffic and some wind maybe 10mph or less. Well while running all out every now and the the rearend would step out a bit (kinda like in a race car and it gets loose) It wasn't chine walk or anything like that. The boat is a Ranger 354V with a Merc 150 xr6. Any ideas what this might be? I kinda thought maybe the prop would loosing bite--but I really do not have a clue. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rear end stepping out

I fished 2 crappie tournaments this weekend so I ran the boat all out both days (biggest workout it has had ever)
Lots of turbulent water due to boat traffic and some wind maybe 10mph or less. Well while running all out every now and the the rearend would step out a bit (kinda like in a race car and it gets loose) It wasn't chine walk or anything like that. The boat is a Ranger 354V with a Merc 150 xr6. Any ideas what this might be? I kinda thought maybe the prop would loosing bite--but I really do not have a clue. Thanks in advance for your help.

Ayuh,.... My guess is, ya skipped over the top of a wave,... tiny bit of air, allows the tail walk...

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Rear end stepping out

Ayuh,.... My guess is, ya skipped over the top of a wave,... tiny bit of air, allows the tail walk...

Makes sense--I did look at the tac when it would happen and it stayed steady. So I would suppose the prop stayed in the water but the pad caught the air pocket?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Rear end stepping out

I used to run a pad boat, Ranger Fisherman, and used to do that deliberately in a 1-2' or so chop. I'd set the speed and trim to skip over the waves with the transom settling in between each crest, and it was a lot of fun and a smooth ride. I was amazed at how well that boat could take a good chop. I was also amazed at how well it took 4-5' swells on Lake Texoma one day when I got caught out. The bow would bury down to the rub rail on the advancing wave and then pop out, ready for the next one. Not a fun trip, but my Ranger and my Merc tower of power didn't let me down.

I was running a Laser SS prop and in heavy water, I could lift the bow up with the right rpm and trim, don't remember the speed but it was right around planing, just on plane to be exact and if I could hold it there even in 3-4' swells, it was an amazingly smooth ride.

I sold it to my BIL and on our initiation outing, we got into some pretty good stuff and upon getting past the jetties coming back in, I could see he was relieved......he was driving and didn't know what I did about the boat. So I said to let me have it and I'll show you something. He did and I turned right around and went back out into the stuff and showed him how to run that boat in rough water. He was amazed....as I was the first time I figured out how to do it.

Mark

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Rear end stepping out

I used to run a pad boat, Ranger Fisherman, and used to do that deliberately in a 1-2' or so chop. I'd set the speed and trim to skip over the waves with the transom settling in between each crest, and it was a lot of fun and a smooth ride. I was amazed at how well that boat could take a good chop. I was also amazed at how well it took 4-5' swells on Lake Texoma one day when I got caught out. The bow would bury down to the rub rail on the advancing wave and then pop out, ready for the next one. Not a fun trip, but my Ranger and my Merc tower of power didn't let me down.

I was running a Laser SS prop and in heavy water, I could lift the bow up with the right rpm and trim, don't remember the speed but it was right around planing, just on plane to be exact and if I could hold it there even in 3-4' swells, it was an amazingly smooth ride.

I sold it to my BIL and on our initiation outing, we got into some pretty good stuff and upon getting past the jetties coming back in, I could see he was relieved......he was driving and didn't know what I did about the boat. So I said to let me have it and I'll show you something. He did and I turned right around and went back out into the stuff and showed him how to run that boat in rough water. He was amazed....as I was the first time I figured out how to do it.

Mark

Well I can tell you on the 354v as long as the waves aren't longer than 18ft apart this thing is great. Was out last fall in 40mph wind drifting (starboard side into the wind) and had no problems. When it was time to move just got up on plane and ran about 35mph on top of the waves and stayed dry as a bone--I was amazed. I kinda figured on the stepping out after thinking on it more that the air pocket made since and the prop torque is what is doing it--so I'm not too worried with it--I can just expect it when I'm at a certain trim and speed. You gotta love these boats