2002 Sport Nautique Rolls in Turn

[mrese]

When we were kids, we used to try and ride the tops of rollers from larger boats. (When mom and dad wasn't around) If you got left or right of center of the roller, the boat would really feel like a gunwale was going to go under if you didn't throttle back and get out of the trough. Very exciting. That was a 85 MasterCraft.

I had to laugh at the insurance man when he asked if anyone under 18 would be driving my boat without adult supervision. "Do you know what kinda things kids come up with when left alone?" I laughed. If what comes around goes around, I am sure many of us would be hesitant to give up the cockpit.

Other than that, aside from driving like a group 15 year old boys who think life never ends, I have never expericnce that feeling. Power slides and checking out the performance characteristics of turning on dimes still don't call up the feelings deep inside as you slide off a good size roller.

[Bay]

The roll I refered to at the start of this thead felt like a 30 deg. bank on a curve. Really felt weird like I would drive the front left gunnel into the water.

Most ski boats do track flat in the turns, sure a little roll but not like an I/O or OB. At slow speeds the roll is more pronounced. These boats don't slide the turns they track like your on rails.

Do any of you CC guys ever do power turns (aka powerslides, belly turns, etc.). Full speed and crank the steeering wheel full left or right - the boat will spin out on its CG? I would be hard pressed attempting this in my friends SN.

[mrese]

Yes we still do powerslides. Set aside the undue physical stresses it puts on the boat, I would highly recommend wearing your ignition kill switch. I know of one ugly accident to resulted with the driver being thrown from the boat, the rudder went full deflection, boat circled, and ended with the driver being run over and killed. However, giving the person sitting on the engine box a heads up prior to initiating the manuver is optional.

[Moe]

It happens to me too, It is a SUDDEN roll when turning sharp at wakeboard speed loaded. In the turn the boat speed will often drop to 17-19MPH. At that speed Is it possible that the bow has risen enough so that the tracking fins break loose? Mine is a SAN with wedge,center tanks plus 500 LBS. lead distributed throughout. V-drives are unbalanced. (stern vs. bow) it never happens to me if I make a bigger, faster turn.

[xmalibuman]

This is not sounding good to me guys, I have just sold my 02 Malibu VLX and will replace it with an 01-02 air nautique. My decision to get the air was based on handling! We board/ski on small man made tournament ski lakes that have very tight turns atround an island at each end, My V drive malibu was somewhat sketchy around these and would roll on it's side and give the feeling you were not going to make the turn and go onto the rocks. Everyone else on the lakes have direct drives and all turn flat with no worry's. Do I need to reconsider?

[xmalibuman]

Oh ya and Moe, you have a wedge on your SAN? thought they were Malibu specific?

[SGY]

I'd see if the seller will let you try it out on your lake.

[xmalibuman]

That makes good sense problem is the three boats I'm considering are all out of state.

[SGY]

Do you plan on driving the boat before you ink the deal? If so, then I would put it through its paces. Also, you might benefit from a call to CC in Orlando. Ask for John Givens and describe to him your concerns. Even my 03 206 leans a little in the slow turns so I don't think you are going to have any problems. I can't imagine an inboard boat, especially a CC, having that kind of issue without something being amiss.

Good luck.

[skinautique]

Guys,
I have driven over 100 different sport/air nautiques. I have never had something like this happen. XMalibuman, I wouldn't be concerned about this at all.
I think the "wedge" that moe was referring to was the wedge shaped ballast tanks in the 210/super air.

[Moe]

thats right, I was referring to the wedge shape tanks. I would never drag a potatoe plow behind my boat.

[Jesse1]

My 2000 Sport Nautique has never shown any weird handling characteristics. Doesn't handle as quick as a 196 but is still an excellent handling boat.

[Nautiqueman]

I am with Ski Nautique.. I have owned 17 different Ski Nautiques, Sport Nautiques, Martinique, Southwind 20, Air Nautiques, and a SV-211 (2004) and have never experienced any problem with stability in 16 years with a Correct Craft. Of course with my experience, it is unsettling to hear of rolling with any kind of boat.

Nautiqueman