Rough ride on a 185 Sport

[CharlestonSC]

I am having a rough ride in my 185 Sport. On flat water it is great, but if a boat goes by or the water is choppy the boat bounces all over. And, if I happen to hit a wake or wave while on plane, the hull doesn't cut into the water, there is a bang and the boat feels like it was dropped on concrete. I have had ot trimmed up, trimmed down, 20mph, 45mph. I just don't know what else to do.

 

[sdl22]

Sir,,
Unfortunatly, with that size rig, you will have a rough ride in any kind of rough chop.. Smaller the boat,,, rougher handling....
My only advice would be keep the trim in and that will keep the bow lower and lets you cut more of the chop... You will not have a very efficient run but at least you won't knock your boat up to bad... Also keep your speed to a minimum,,, get up on plane then back down to the least speed to keep you on top...... Good luck........

 

[Kay Lee]

You don't state your boating history or the type of water you boat on, so here's my input: For it's length of 18.5 feet, your boat is pretty narrow at only 7.5 feet. The shorter the boat and the narrower the beam the rougher it will ride. The angle of attack that you use to approach a wave or wake will have a great affect on the ride comfort. The type of water you boat in will have an affect as well. Your boat is probaby best suited for lakes and smaller rivers. What size waves are you encountering when you experience the uncomfortable ride?

Larry

 

[ZZ13]

There is not a whole lot you can do except stay away from the rough seas. I run my 175 Sport just down the ICW from you around Beaufort and Hilton Head. I pretty much spend my boating days during the week, and not on weekends, when the waters here are fairly empty and/or tucked away in some of the non-ICW rivers. Even with that I still sometimes get beat when cutting across the St. Helena and Port Royal Sounds. Many here praise trim tabs as a great help (I don't have them), so you could try adding those if you don't have them.

 

[blaster]

The slamming can be limited by slowing down and adjusting the trim. You could add a set of smart tabs. They are inexpensive and easy to install. They will help keep the bow down and give you a softer ride. They also will improve your hole shot. You also could get a bigger boat. That's what I did.

 

[spfortjohn]

With boats size matters. I have the 260 sundeck @ 5000 lbs it rides great my old boat was 20' and about 2500 lbs it beat the crap out of you. My dad has a 29 formula it is 8000 lbs you can hold a open glass of water without spilling any at 40 mph in 3 foot seas

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Its a lot of work to keep from slamming. If you are talking about boat wakes I suggest slowing down enough to lessen then blow and changing your angle of attack into the waves and then accelerating again- don't cut the throttle competely and stuff your bow, ezpecially if you have people sitting in the front. If you are referring to wind generated waves you're gonna have to bite the bullet. If you have a way to go and don't want to pound head on try tacking in a zig zag pattern to lessen the head on blows- it'll tkae longer but might be better on your back.

 

[Gunn]

Good advice here, and they're right...not much you can do except slow down when a large wake is coming. I have a 175 and we always got beat up and soaking wet. Try cutting through the waves at an angle instead of head-on, changing course if necessary when you see another boat wake coming along. That will help. Keep the drive in the full trim down position to keep the bow low, it will do what it can to help cut through the waves.

When I upgraded to the 280DA, it's a world of difference. I don't even notice waves now that would have punished us in the 175. And with trim tabs at my disposal I can really trim the bow down to help cut through the water. All the extra weight really helps.

Enjoy!

 

[midway]

I have the same boat, 2004 version, I put Smart Tabs on mine, I can slow down below 20, set the trim just right and ease through the rough water without too much trouble. My two grand sons love it when the wind is blowing just right, the bow will split the water and it shoots straight up on either side and blows back and they get wet sitting on the rear bench seat. I boat in very similar waters just a little South of where you are, just South of Savannah, it can be a washing machine sometimes, you just have to watch the water and try to find the better place to hit because it is coming at you from all directions. Even with the Smart Tabs I do not try to run real fast, as stated, boat is not big enough for that. The Smart Tabs will help a lot for the smaller chop when at speed the larger chop you still need to slow down and trim just right. I do not trim all the way down but I do bring the bow down so it cuts through the water. Smart Tabs on our size boat are wonderful and will do everything advertised, at least they have for me.