250 DA rolling

[jbiddle]

I have a 1997 250 DA which my son-in-law, who normally drives a 22' Trophy, says rolls too easily. There are other threads on this, but they usually end up in a trim tab discussion. I have trim tabs, and I'm getting the hang of them, and am much more confident with them myself. Still, he feels like something must be wrong. As I said, other threads say this is "normal" behavior at this length and beam on the Sea Rays. Does anyone think there may be a problem? Trim tabs not operating right, or possibly too small for the boat? Could the drive have some play in it causing the roll? Thanks.

 

[Quint4]

My 24' sundancer would lean heavily when people moved about the cockpit from side to side. I got used to it and my tabs would correct the situation.

 

[H2ONUT]

My 24' sundancer would lean heavily when people moved about the cockpit from side to side. I got used to it and my tabs would correct the situation.

Ditto...

Totally different boat. Nothing wrong at all.

 

[jwfoster4]

Maybe he's just used to a fishing boat. If it is a center console, it has virtually no weight above the deck. Different boats, different set up, different handling - therefore you gotta drive it different.

Just put extra cases of beer along the center line low in the cabin for ballast :grin:

 

[islandhopper00]

If an offshore fishing boat handled like these raised helm cruisers, there would be so many more swampings. It's n-o-r-m-a-l, (it's hard for me to say that) or so I've learned. Keep playing with the tabs and trim, you'll get it figured out.

 

[dpvandy01]

Not to lean this towards a trim tab discussion but be sure to zero ou the tabs before attempting to run at planing speeds.. other than that.... the boat is working fine.

 

[tphinney]

Small DA's from 240's to 280's have a significantly higher center of gravity than a trophy for their beam. if he feels uncomfortable when you make a turn ask him to stand in the cabin. becuase that would be equavalent to the center of gravity on his trophy. they are very different boats, they will handle very differently.

 

[Moondance Kid]

My 220 DA (~24ft) rolls like a barrel but I'm getting used to the high COG and playing the trim tabs. Even on plane one person moving a foot or two side to side will throw it off. Since I tend to run with as little trim tab as possible (to offset my amazing 25mph gps top speed) I'm getting a quick trim finger :grin:

Again hoping not to turn this to a trim tab topic I just have to relate a funny story - I'm walking back down the dock the other day and a couple with an older Larson San Marino cruiser (25?) are arguing about the decided starboard list the boat has tied in the slip. The rather portly fellow at the helm says to the woman on the dock "don't worry I'll adjust it" and starts adjusting the trim tabs!!. As I stand there just wondering whether I should say something or just hope we aren't ever leaving port at the same time, he walks from the helm to to the center and asks "is it better"... and it was!!

Trim tabs really are amazing :smt043

 

[Drama Queen]

we had a 250DA to help we would put as much weigh as we could in the cabin. Placing the cooler in the place where you put the table up helped alot. But in most cases you really just have to get used to your tabs. It all depends on the water conditions too, wakes can get ya rolling pretty good. We also insisted everyone find a spot and stay there.

 

[jbiddle]

Thanks for all of the answers. In smooth water, she rides great. "High center of gravity" is a good phrase to help explain. Like the idea of keeping the cooler in the cabin.
Thanks again

 

[Cap10Pat]

I doubt trim tabs can have much to do with this issue under any circumstances.
A quick check of the Searay Archives shows that the LOA for this boat is just 24'7". The beam is stated at 8'6". So, it's a wide boat to start with. The weight is only 5300 lbs. Thats not too heavy either. So this boat has to be floating right on the surface.

The Sundancer model has a higher center of gravity because of the aft cabin below. The cockpit deck is actually higher than some other Searay models, like the Weekender, as well as your friends boat.
Loading your coolers etc in the cabin, on the centerline may help, as noted. You may also want to keep your fuel full and see if that helps. But that depends on your fuel tank. That model may have a side-to-side fuel tank that could aggravate the rolling. Other models have a centerline fuel tank which is really nice. When your tank is full it may not be able to slosh at all. When half full may be the worst. And when almost empty doesn't matter much. Keep on eye on how it responds.

 

[PIRATES BOOTY]

Compared to go-fasts, and bowriders, our boats to require constant trimming, especially with folks milling around the cockpit and throwing off my trim.(damn ya landlubbers, stay still!).

For this boat, I can honestly say it's normal. Like one of the other posts said, just practice on your trim fingers.......

 

[Presentation]

Small DA's from 240's to 280's .....

You can leave the 280 out of this.

We had a 1998 240 Sundancer. I agree with all the posts about this being normal and the trim tabs being constantly adjusted is the answer along with placing weight low and on the centerline.

On the 280 I rarely use the trim tabs. If I do, I don’t need to re-adjust them unless multiple big people move from one side of the boat to the other or there is significant weather and we are changing directions.

On the 240 I kept my left hand on the trim tabs. On the 280 I use them so rarely I need to look for them before I can use them.

 

[jbiddle]

Thanks again to all for the responses. A full gas tank helps. My son-in-law's uncle, a Coast Guard certified captain, took the boat for a ride and said it was perfectly normal.