Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[Davewillo]

This is a more operational question. I use my boat in the ocean and am therefore subjected to swell and ocean chop. Sometimes when I'm running with the swells at the aft quarter, the boat drops of the plane and seems to wallos in the trough which requires me to throttle up to get out again. It feels tail-heavy and is annoying at times. I have a single 496 Magnum Mercruiser but as these come with twins as well I can't imagine the weight is an issue.
My question is whether there is a way to trim the boat to lessen this happening? I've tried nose up but it's worse. Sometimes I can improve it by trimming the nose up on the side of the swells a bit. Is there a way of using the tilt on the leg to flatten the boat out? Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Lazy Daze]

This is a more operational question. I use my boat in the ocean and am therefore subjected to swell and ocean chop. Sometimes when I'm running with the swells at the aft quarter, the boat drops of the plane and seems to wallos in the trough which requires me to throttle up to get out again. It feels tail-heavy and is annoying at times. I have a single 496 Magnum Mercruiser but as these come with twins as well I can't imagine the weight is an issue.
My question is whether there is a way to trim the boat to lessen this happening? I've tried nose up but it's worse. Sometimes I can improve it by trimming the nose up on the side of the swells a bit. Is there a way of using the tilt on the leg to flatten the boat out? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Ultimately, this comes down to physics and the answer may simply be that for a given set of sea state conditions... the answer is that you need a bigger boat.

But, generally, don't use much down trim (whether drive or tabs) when running with. And, yes, you may find that you'll need to constantly be on and off the throttle (off as you start to run down and then right back on before you stuff).

You might also consider attacking at different angles given the conditions - think of it more like "tacking" like a sailboat. You can't always go in a straight line like you would want, depending on the conditions.

There's no "one best" answer, either - there's just too many variables due to conditions.

 

[Davewillo]

Thanks Lazy Daze. A bigger boat is always the right answer isn't it?

I have done all those things you have suggested with mixed results. The angle of attack is definitely helpful when possible. I was really just unsure about trying to use engine tilt to achieve the outcome, as I have never played with that tilt.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thanks Lazy Daze. A bigger boat is always the right answer isn't it?

I have done all those things you have suggested with mixed results. The angle of attack is definitely helpful when possible. I was really just unsure about trying to use engine tilt to achieve the outcome, as I have never played with that tilt.

You can certainly use drive tilt - but as you probably know, that hull doesn't really like a whole lot of up trim. But, sure, in certain conditions - some up trim will help. It'll just be a little trial and error (give certain conditions) till you figure it out.

 

[Davewillo]

Thanks Lazy Daze. I'm planning to be on the water over the weekend so I'll have a bit of a play around.