Speedster Handling issues

[ZRX Guy]

Last 2 times I was out on the Lake, once last Sunday and once yesterday, I noticed as I slowed the boat down, it handled a little funny. Last Sunday the wife was sitting in the middle next to me. When I started chopping the throttle, the boat steered left. Yesterday I had 2 friends in it. One on the far left and the other in the "spotter" seat. Both about 180lbs. I slowed down in some calm water and the boat started to waller, almost like the steering was coming loose. Regular riding I didn't notice it much. Is it because these boats have for the most part a flat bottom, if they aren't loaded evenly, they have a tendency to move around at low speeds?

 

[XP 787]

What year is the boat?

 

[ZRX Guy]

Speedster 2008

 

[JPass]

The main reason they move around is because you have nothing under the waterline that acts as a rudder or fin to keep the boat stable. Our 210 handles way different than our old nautique. The nautique had front tracking fins and a rudder to help with steering and stability. Every other type of propulsion seems to have things below the water line to aid in steering and stability (I/O has the outdrive, Outboard has the lower unit, inboard has the rudder and fins). These also create a bit of drag to sort of anchor the boat and give it some bite as opposed to not have any of that like our jetboats.

We even notice it when we have the rear anchor pole out at the sandbar. Our boat will swing faster than others due to not having anything below the water to slow the swinging.


You may get some stability if you added some of those retractable fins to the steering nozzle, but my understanding is they help the most with idle/slow speed maneuvering.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Not uncommon for boats that don't have a deep V, rudder, or out drives to wallow when coming off speed. It is a learning curve. You can do a gradual slow down and when it starts to wallow let all throttle off for a second. The boat will basically fall into the water instead of being on top of it.

 

[ZRX Guy]

I figured.

Problem is, these puppies seem to be a bit of a bear to work on, even if you know what you're doing. Never touched one, but being a shade tree mechanic and Jetmech for 21+ years, I can spot trouble when I see it. You know how it goes, your boat lift are 2x4's, your tool kit is a few Vice-Grips, and lubrication is WD-40 and Bar Oil. Doing things by the book isn't always an option. :cheers::thumbsup:

 

[pete63]

they are different!!
you will learn the best way to control the boat with time.
throttle off, no real control so back off earlier and regain positive thrust at a slower speed.
check your steering set up for loose or sloppy steering cable. search forum for helm or steering cable. there is two adjustable point with the cable (nozzle end and behind the helm) and the though hull connector can also be loose.

 

[xintersecty]

I had the same issue, early bringing back the throttle causes that unsettling wavering. Add throttle or keep up before steering. It's just like a jetski you need power on to steer.

 

[ZRX Guy]

they are different!!
you will learn the best way to control the boat with time.
throttle off, no real control so back off earlier and regain positive thrust at a slower speed.
check your steering set up for loose or sloppy steering cable. search forum for helm or steering cable. there is two adjustable point with the cable (nozzle end and behind the helm) and the though hull connector can also be loose.

Thanks for that info!! I do notice that once I'm going, there is some side to side slop in the steering. It feels a tad stiff, but then I've never had a boat like this and in reality, haven't driven that many other boats in my life time.