Eliminate Chine Walk?

[tj309]

Title says it all except "how to". My rig is much smaller and slower than most here so hopefully my chine walk will be easier to get rid of. My boat is a 13' Speedster with a stock late model 60hp Merc 4 stroke. I'm currently running an aluminum 15" prop and have a 20" SS cleaver ready once I get the handling down. I have trim tabs. The boat may be stern heavy. At 35 it gets a bit squirelly and at 40 its a handful. I should be hitting 60 but no way until I figure out how to beat the chine walk.

Thanks in advance TJ

[Merc 2.5]

Gonna need more Info on set up. prop shaft height? Jackplate? Low water pickup? Does boat have a pad?

[nitro_rat]

Gonna need more Info on set up. prop shaft height? Jackplate? Low water pickup? Does boat have a pad?

Also what kind of steering?

[Baja170]

On some faster boats you have to just drive through it. Once you do it a time or two you can minimize it by how you drive the boat. Setup is key like the prior posters have asked for info on. Best of luck figuring it out. You will.

[David]

Raising the engine helps. It helped on my first V bottom, a 13' Voodoo with a 70 Nissan. Other things that have helped my boats: foot throttle, 4 blade props, smaller diameter props, lower pitch. But at the end of the day, most likely you will have to drive. The foot throttle is so you have two hands to steer. It's easier that way.

You can start with gentle left turns and then countersteer as the boat falls to one side or the other. Small steering motions are better. My brother can drive his V bottom but his motions are too big for my Allison. I can drive his boat.

Practice and be patient.

[Jimboat]

Title says it all except "how to". My rig is much smaller and slower than most here so hopefully my chine walk will be easier to get rid of. My boat is a 13' Speedster with a stock late model 60hp Merc 4 stroke. I'm currently running an aluminum 15" prop and have a 20" SS cleaver ready once I get the handling down. I have trim tabs. The boat may be stern heavy. At 35 it gets a bit squirelly and at 40 its a handful. I should be hitting 60 but no way until I figure out how to beat the chine walk.

TJ - Try changing weight distribution, reduce fuel load for test and any improvement? Try changing engine height - this can cause onset of chine-walk.

As David suggests, trying a higher motor setup is a good idea. Two reasons why it can help - 1) higher prop shaft generates less bow lift, less tendency to chine walk; 2) chine walk is a dynamic instability that is often resolved by changing dynamic balance of the hull (engine height is one of the actions that will accomplish this.)

Here's an article on causes and fixes to chine-walk. or also here's some more suggestions for addressing chine walk in this article.

[Dave S]

Tight steering.... mounts.... and the highest transom you can W/ out sucking air.... a cupped prop helps.... JMO. If used 4 stroke.... mounts could be lose...... 25 inch motor on 20 inch boat ?.... need more info.....

[nitro_rat]

I would do whatever it takes to get solid mounts in it. With a small hp late model 4 stroke that likely means custom mounts...

[Dave S]

HeeHee..... or a tube of 5200 in the rite places........ask me why.........semi solid mounts don't break things not to strong...........

[TNRoostertail]

HeeHee..... or a tube of 5200 in the rite places........ask me why.........semi solid mounts don't break things not to strong...........

Dave we need more info, we need pics and .............. why??

[David]

Who would sell solid mounts for a 60 HP 4 stroke? Would the 60 race motor mounts fit?

[Dave S]

Red neck mounts.......on an old Merc I used to put a rock...... ya.... and fill in the rest with body puddy.... on the lowers... on mercs.....cut the top so it bottomed out sooner on the tops. You could fill in all the air space with 5200 it dries stronger than merc mounts..... JMO.....Look and think......what you can do to tighten it up.....As to the 60 4 stroke......I don't know.... I will look at one to see what could be done.... How worn are yours ?