Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

[docsmally]

2008 Larson Lxi purchased used this spring. Would love some advice as to why at low speeds (5mph) the boat is moving right then left. All seems to be perfect a higher speeds. The boat is cherry, has only 50 hours on it, and runs perfectly in every other regard. Have never come across this problem before & I have owned my share of smaller boats.... STUMPED! Thanks for any/all suggestions!

 

[pole position]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Outdrive with 1 propellor? If so very common.

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Common I/O wander.

 

[docsmally]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Guess I have had outboards and inboards for the last 25 years. Sounds like we're stuck with the problem. Thanks

 

[steelespike]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

This is normal and a deep V can be worse.You have to, pay attention to catch it before it starts to turn and to not over correct.Antisapate its next move.It gets easy almost automatic.
Trimtabs will help. I've been boating 62 years and only drove one boat that wandered a 26 foot Sea Ray.The action was slower but very pronounced.When the owner pointed out the wander
after about 10 minutes I got the hang, if I paid attention.

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Trim your motor up/out a bit and put your tabs down. It is normal deep vee low speed wander. Almost all deep vee or even semi-deep vee hulls do this. I don't fight it, I just let it wander.

JR

 

[seabob4]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Pretty much. Just constant little course corrections, nothing to worry about. Besides, unlike a road, you don't have to stay in a lane...

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

My '06 LARSON 204 Escape deck boat does the same thing. Haven't put trim tabs on it, but would like to. (Gotta go back to work first). It's normal.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Do not correct the wander, just let it go and make very minor corrections. It will take 7 sec and you will overshoot and have to go the other way if you oversteer.

This is VERY common. Having a good anode fin instead of a plate will make is just slightly better on my boat. Another thing you will discover is the boat will only steer one direction in reverse, anfd the other direction it will just dogtail.

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: Why is my 20' Larson buffeting right & left at idol speed?

Do not correct the wander, just let it go and make very minor corrections. .. It will take 7 sec and you will overshoot and have to go the other way if you oversteer....

I troll as slow as 2.5mph for Stripers and on my 21' Bayliner Trophy I/O wandered bad. How I solved the problem was to sell it and replaced the boat with an OB. :facepalm: