Steering Problems 2021 GS24 - looking for suggestions

[baldmike73]

Hi there thought i'd post here as i spoke to my local dealer and they can't replicate what i am experiencing.

This happened on more than one occasion now - boat is 2021 GS24 only has 22 hours on it, but when were heading out to our surf spot in CA Delta (Union Point), i noticed after about 15-20 mins driving at 30-33mph the boat lists (high sides) to passenger side (had 4 adults/4 kids all spaced out evenly) and it became really hard to steer. I went out to the local spot (Colero reservoir - really small) with the dealer and was not able to replicate.

So thinking i was crazy or being super sensitive I had my wife drive Sat and while driving she got spooked as she could not get the wheel to turn left - she backed off the throttle, corrected, and then throttled back on, but was still hard to steer and she pulled back the throttle and said "i'm done"

So my question is this: has anyone else experienced this - the dealer can't replicate while at the shop and at the test spot its barely a mile long so you can't really run the boat for more than 5-10 min demo in a big circle

Ballasts were empty at zero
Ballast shift at "0"
Plane assist set to high
8 people in the boat - evenly dispersed
Full tank of gas
11 am - no wind - water like glass


Side note: Love the form/function boat (my first Nautique) - still dialing in my surf wake but with Pro System full - so far best at 10.1-10.3 mph with wave shape 4 to 5

ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS WELCOMED - my dealer probably thinks i am crazy, but i bought the boat new and want it to be perfect - already went in the shop at 9 hours for new coils, fried alternator and cracked wires (think that was the culprit upon build).

[MBarker]

I have had a somewhat similar experience in my 2019 GS24. I have found my issue is ballast is remaining in starboard side, even though the boat indicates no ballast. One way to confirm this is once the boat confirms no ballast remains turn the boat off and then kill the power using the battery kill switch, let it sit for 10 seconds and then turn the battery switch back on and then check the ballast reading. My boat will tell me no ballast, but when I check using the described method it confirms ballast does remain only on the starboard side. I think the ballast has a bad sensor. It's going in to the dealer next week. I'll let you know what they say.

[baldmike73]

MBarker thanks for replying - its driving me crazy as you imagine - the gauge showed "0%" - even after we surfed for the day and emptied the bags again to "0%" on the way back to the dock the boat still was high siding - steering was more manageable, but still not completely level.

I even called 2 dif Nautique Dealer Service Departments to see if they experienced and both were at a loss - but said to drop the boat at the dealer and get on with Nautique tech support and start troubleshooting -

keep me posted on what you find - water is cooling down here in CA so may try to go out 1 more time then off to the service dept - and will try with you noted above so i can give them a ton of troubleshooting -

[GMLIII]

I have had a somewhat similar experience in my 2019 GS24. I have found my issue is ballast is remaining in starboard side, even though the boat indicates no ballast. One way to confirm this is once the boat confirms no ballast remains turn the boat off and then kill the power using the battery kill switch, let it sit for 10 seconds and then turn the battery switch back on and then check the ballast reading. My boat will tell me no ballast, but when I check using the described method it confirms ballast does remain only on the starboard side. I think the ballast has a bad sensor. It's going in to the dealer next week. I'll let you know what they say.

To both of you, your ballast sensors are toast and need replacements. These have been a huge issue for Nautique and in my opinion they need to be redesigned for better reliability. I have talked to countless Nautique owners who have gone through ballast sensor replacements recently. I had to get mine replaced on my G23. Get dealer to change them because they are a PITA to change as a DIY task. My 2 cents

[MBarker]

To both of you, your ballast sensors are toast and need replacements. These have been a huge issue for Nautique and in my opinion they need to be redesigned for better reliability. I have talked to countless Nautique owners who have gone through ballast sensor replacements recently. I had to get mine replaced on my G23. Get dealer to change them because they are a PITA to change as a DIY task. My 2 cents

That's what I have been assuming. Thank you for the feedback.

[baldmike73]

That's what I have been assuming. Thank you for the feedback.

I can't wait to take my boat in and have them look at and change them out!!!!!

could they really fail at 22 hours? and happened before at 10 hours.

[baldmike73]

update to original post: i have been waiting to get my boat into service, will probably be in early Jan, but i this past weekend I took my boat in as i am getting a stern thruster installed and while i was waiting for the owner of the shop i pull off the cover, turned on batteries, looked at ballast screen and all said "0%" full, but for fun thought i'd hit "DRAIN" to see if any residual water in the bags and the pumps ended up dumping water for 5-6 mins. Can't wait to tell the service team and then have them change out the check valves.

I wouldn't have even thought to do unless i had connected on this fourm as they couldn't replicate the problem i shared last time the boat was in.

[mikenbike211]

the sensors have now been redesigned and any ballast sensor replacments, get the new style.

[Mike B]

Also have them replace your check valves. This happened to my boat multiple times. I usually had to catch a wave just right, but it would cause my boat to list and scare the heck out of all the passengers. The boat was retaining ballast even though the computer would say "0". As MBarker stated, turn the boat off and let it sit. I can't tell you how many mornings I would go out to start the boat and it would have 500 + lbs of ballast on the port side.

[baldmike73]

thanks MikeB MBarker mikenbike211 for the help. Will be taking the boat in once i get it back from having Stern Thruster installed -

[robertsmcfarland]

the simple way to fix problem is to manually dump ballast for a couple minutes.. ballast empty, problem gone!

[kylant]

my GS22 retains water in the port ballast as well. I had the dealer look at it, even mentioned the sensors. They checked everything and said it was fine. However, I know it is not. I will ask again when it is time to summerize it.


Wasn't there mention of the GS24 experiencing "chine lock"? could that be what the OP is experiencing?

[GMLIII]

the sensors have now been redesigned and any ballast sensor replacments, get the new style.

Good to know because prior models definitely had design flaws bigtime. Mine have all been replaced on my G 23 2017 but I fear they will fail again in the not too distant future based on prior experience.

[mikenbike211]

yeah, the issues with the sensors was that water in the bilge would get into the back of the sensor connector and short the sensor. the new sensor has a better connector on the back. Heres the new sensor

[GMLIII]

mikenbike211 How long ago did Nautique come out with this new sensor design?