Chine Walk

[Bass Cat Boats]

That is not actually affecting the operation by being off center. It’s likely in the amount of trim at speeds to control chine walk. Start lower on trim and slowly work it higher. Hot Foots can lead to more challenges as throttle position tends to be more indifferent at various stages.

[Wheelman]

I figure it doesn’t hurt to try to balance the boat out left to right and can easily be checked with a level, but keep in mind the fuel sloshing around depending on its level is going to change things.

[Bass Cat Boats]

The best drivers we know won’t feel balance and can’t actually tell what fuel levels are or notice sloshing. There is too much slippage and not traction like in a vehicle.

[glen11]

I am not sure what you mean about the hotfoot! But, I always run with the hotfoot fully pressed, jackplate down and no trim. Then slowly bring trim up a small step at a time. My boat has very little added weight in it and only rods up front.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Most have different settings on hot foots they use and it’s not usually a consistent setting. Stay full throttle means you need to slowly address the trim in stages.

[Wheelman]

Bass Cat Boats:

The best drivers we know won’t feel balance and can’t actually tell what fuel levels are or notice sloshing. There is too much slippage and not traction like in a vehicle.

I understand what you’re saying as this isn’t a race boat, but y’all do take into consideration the placement of batteries, fuel tanks etc where they balance the boat L to R somewhat when designing no?

[Bass Cat Boats]

Of course, though it’s honestly not critical in the manner most think of it as.

[JoeAZ]

I humbly suggest that you try balancing the load between port and starboard and see if that helps.

I have a Caracal SP without a passenger console.  I weigh 235 pounds. When I balanced the boat between port and starboard, I could control the chine walk significantly better. I guess I’m not a good boat driver.

A simple test is to have full fuel on the port side tank and an empty tank on the starboard side and give it a run. If it seems to be easier to control and you gain higher speeds, then perhaps move the tackle around from starboard to port as best you can and see if that helps more.

It is hard to make a suggestion that goes against the best advice of the experts at Bass Cat, but I know what has worked for me. Perhaps as I become a better driver, port/starboard balance will become a non-issue.

 

 

[schodackbassman]

Joe I have the same rig and yes, keeping port tank full or fuller then the starboard undoubtedly improves handling and the ride over all when alone.  With a co I find it doesn’t matter much.

[PhilAddison]

This topic has been beat to death for years.  Balancing the load may help but really has no gain overall.  The only way to solve chine walk is to learn how to drive.  Chine walk is caused by the boat falling off the small pad then overcompensating by turning the steering wheel.  The prop spinning clockwise is causing the boat to fall off the pad.  Then an overcorrection by your brain and hands occurs and it falls off to the right.  At that point the cycle has started.  I can promise moving more weight to the passenger side isn’t going to come close to compensate for the thrust of that prop spinning at 6000 rpms.  Best advice I can give is find someone who knows how to drive and have them show you.  If no one is available, then aim to something in the far distance and stay trimmed down until you get better.  Steering correction solves the issue.  Though steering correction is nothing more than pressure from your hands from left to right.  It is not a turn of the steering wheel.     Good luck with the practice!

[Shap from La]

I strongly suggest taking your wife with you for ballast to balance the load while learning to control the Chine!  LOL!  Just kidding of course.

I’m no expert driver but can handle my EYRA fairly well.  It is definitely a Practice/seat time issue more than anything.  It’s hard to describe as some people just never get a feel for it and are unable to figure out that they are over correcting and exaggerating the problem.

It is more of a “pressure” on the wheel to the left as the prop’s rotation is trying to pull the boat off of pad to the right.  You really need to feel it in the seat.  If you are trying to correct the wheel once the boats movement is realized in the hands on the wheel then it is way too late.

And, I do agree that keeping the boat loaded as balanced as possible can only help the situation.

Good driving can overcome a poor setup.  Bad driving will not be solved by a good setup.

You have to go to the water with no intention to fish.  Hours upon hours of seat time will eventually get you there.

Good luck, enjoy the experience and be safe out there.

 

 

[glen11]

Thanks to all. I agree that seat time to learn is the best thing. I will eventually get the hang of it. All my lakes are small and I don’t need to run 80, but I just don’t like chine! Who does right! Thanks to all for your input.

[Will Hesch]

In 2004 I had the pleasure of meeting Earl Bentz and spending close to an hour in his office at the Triton Boats factory on the shores of the Cumberland River. 

I was there to pick up my new Triton 20X boat but wanted Earl to autograph his book: The Bass Boat Bible.

We talked about Jesus, family, church and bass boats. And yes, he signed my book.

We also talked about chine walk since Tritons were famous for that. Earl gave me an analogy: He said that most of us use an axe when countering a chine-walk when all we need is a small hatchet making very small moves. It was great advice and echoes the advice given above: less is more!

During our conversation I asked Earl what he saw as the future of bass boats. His answer floored me, he replied simply: “Pontoon boats!”

I was gobsmacked by his answer and he could tell so he asked me: “Do you have kids, any grandkids?”

When I answered yes to both, he asked: “Can you all fit on your new boat?” Of course my answer was no. Wise man-that one!

[JoeAZ]

Funny thing: When you take an expert along to show you how to drive, the boat is balanced differently, and it doesn’t chine walk as bad. This is the same effect as having a co-angler in the boat. Easier to drive, but maybe a bit slower.

I may not be the best Bass Cat boat driver and maybe never will be, but I can debug a problem because that is what I have done for a living for the past 40 years. I know that having a full port fuel tank or a co-angler makes the boat easier to drive because there is less chine walk.

I will accept that an expert driver can deal with an unbalanced boat, but some of us might need a bit of help. Try filling the port tank and leaving the starboard tank empty and give it a try. It may be the best solution for the lesser of us Bass Cat boat drivers.

 

 

 

[Bass Cat Boats]

We always burn the port tank first, yes, we don’t find it any different with todays boats.

[Author]

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