stering Problem

[pcasey]

I have a 04 Mobius LS and usually have atleast 8 people in the boat at all times. On take off while pulling a wake boarder sometimes I have this loud cracking noise and a little vibration in the stering wheel. Does anyone else have this problem and what can I do about it.

[Inliner]

8 people?????!!!!! PUUUHHHHLLLLEEEEAAAAASSSSEEE tell me you don't have ballast in your boat as well? If you are running ballast, you must subtract the total carrying capacity from the added weight of the ballast. If not, you will be cited for an overloaded boat. Your max capacity is based on a weight limit, not the number of seats in the boat. I hope you can clear this matter up. Here in Florida, you would receive a $150 fine minimum if the locals decided to inspect your boat, something that happens here on a regular basis if you ski or board public lakes. If you are not running ballast while this occurs, then the boat is running in specs and you might want to have it looked at. If not, you could have a problem on your hands since you violated the weight restrictions as well as the law.

[liquidcourage]

how do the "locals" prove the weight in the boat? do they have scales they make everybody step on at the docks? sounds like something i would take to court...

[Inliner]

Originally posted by liquidcourage


how do the "locals" prove the weight in the boat? do they have scales they make everybody step on at the docks? sounds like something i would take to court...

They win everytime. They carry a spec sheet on ballast tanks believe it or not. If they stop you and they have water in them, they review your spec plate and BAM, you gots yourself a ticket courtesy of the OPD. If your spec sheet says the boat can carry 1,500 lbs or 10 people and you have two ballast tanks full, one carrying 600 lbs and one carry 200 lbs, that amount is subtracted from the carrying capacity of the boat. If you have 7 - 10 people in your boat and as is typical in wakeboard cases, most are male, you are over the left over 700 lbs carrying capacity available. The only way you can beat it is to have all people in the boat show up and prove you did not violate the carrying capacity. You figure the average wake boarding male weighs 190 lbs and mulitply that times 10, you can see the problem. They can tell if you are running ballast by the way the wake of the boat is. If they see a ballast wake with more than 4 people in the boat, they will "inspect the boat". This inspection will include checking the ballast tanks for fill level and verifying the carrying capacity on the card in the boat. You do have to raise a red flag to get their attention though. If you are pumping loud music, have a large wake with more than 4 people in the boat, drinking and partying or anything that may get the attention of them or locals on shore (boarding too close to shore is the most common red-flag thrown out by boarders and jet skiers), you are an open invitation to inspection.

On another note, I had a friend who they actually made drop off a line, take off his life jacket and verify that it was coast guard approved. Can you say water nazis? Florida waterways are way too crowded and it gives rise to things such as this. BTW, my friend did have a CG approved jacket on. All they did was screw up his ride. This happens all in Orlando. If you ski in more skier or boarder friendly waters (Clermont or Winter Haven chains), you reduce the likelihood of confrontations with the law. Winter Haven is more relaxed than Clermont though. I guess since it is the home of Cypress Gardens, they figure that folks have to practice somewhere.

[latchkey]

Sounds to me like you have the steering wheel turned one way or the other when you hit the gas? If that is the case, when you hit the throttle the prop is blasting your rudder all of a sudden with a tremendous amount of force(water). The rudder being turned one way or the other is catching the brunt of the force which you can hear until you straighten the wheel. Does that sound about right? No problems, just keep the wheel straight when you accelerate hard out tha hole.

[latchkey]

Oh yea, by the way we run 1900lbs(sacs) plus 8ppl regularly. Our water patrol waves to us. Obviously not near as strict as where inliner is. Have fun.

[noneya]

The spec plate is not erquired on boats over 20' in length, just take it off if you are having problems.

[wforic]

Holy crap, Inliner, those guy are butal where you live! Come up to Caroline and weight her down! -Just kidding.

pcasey, latchkey is right. My wheel does the same thing when you gas it and you are not straight. I always thought it was kinda suppose to do that. I am sure its the force of the water off the prop against the steering rudder.

noneya, what is the spec plate?

Eric B.

I've read that before about the spec plate. Is it law or not? I always figured it was for liability purposes. I always run with 1000#'s + 6 people. Boat is no where near sinking. We added a bow cover and the water dosen't come in anymore. If anyone has more info about the spec plate not needed on 20 and above I would love to see it in writing. Thanks

[bluesurf]

I've read that before about the spec plate. Is it law or not? I always figured it was for liability purposes. I always run with 1000#'s + 6 people. Boat is no where near sinking. We added a bow cover and the water dosen't come in anymore. If anyone has more info about the spec plate not needed on 20 and above I would love to see it in writing. Thanks

[Gharvin]

blue surf,
what kind of bow cover are you talking about??

[stang67]

I have been pulled over by both the local and the Coast Guardes here in maryland. They all have done safty checks both times i had 6 people on board plus 1200 pounds in the boat (factory plus 2 sacks next to the engine box visible (Outback LS)) They have asked to see the life jackets and asked to see 2 of them I gave them 2 that were NCGA. I guess I lucked out.

Back to the weight issue my steering virbrates pretty bad when the wheel is turned and gas is hit. So i believe the boat is just under laod with lots of prop splash on the rudder.