Baller ozski Posted March 9, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 9, 2015 For all of you boat tuners out there I wanted to know how you can best setup your boat for the course? I drove 3 different 200's last week and they were all different, I would say that one tracked noticeably better than the others but I could not tell you why. Compared to my 04 Response the 200 holds much better as it should. How does a driver go about setting up a boat to work its best in the course? Are there any tricks of the trade / mods that people do? On my own boat the only thing I have done is remove the back seat and I keep the fuel load pretty low, thought about taking the wedge off to reduce weight at the back of the boat as well. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ DW Posted March 10, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted March 10, 2015 I have found the SV23 hull (Response) responds very well to reducing not only transom but also overall weight. Is yours an LX or LXi? If you are inclined, I would recommend removing the wedge bracket. Ensuring a good side to side balance also helps, adjust with some ballast even with the driver depending on what side its needed. I also suggest giving the boat a very good going over for any uneeded stuff on board and leave it on shore if possible (and safe). How creative do you want to get, there is a lot of opportunity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad_Scott Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 For the 04 response, add about 80 pounds of weight in the nose of the boat use the rudder tab to add tension to the steering wheel I usually grind the drivers side of the rudder from the top of the rudder about 3 inches down and about 3 inches across the top if u drew a line across I grind the area do a little at a time so you dont over do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller mbabiash Posted March 10, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 10, 2015 Hey Chad. Any recommendations for an 07 lxi? I bought it from David West at cypress so I'm sure it's pretty dialed but curious on weight in the bow. Thanks Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ozski Posted March 10, 2015 Author Baller Share Posted March 10, 2015 Thanks Chad, that's the sort of info I was after. Not sure about grinding the rudder unless I could see an example to copy, wonder how much a new rudder would cost me.. @DW see signature, mine is an LXi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gregy Posted March 10, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 10, 2015 @ozski I used to use a sanding disk on a drill for the 90's Prostars. It didn't take much on them. If you go to far you can grind some off the other side and it will balance it back out. I would do the hole trailing edge on the PSs. From what I understand Chad is saying to just do the top 3 inches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller aussiemc Posted March 10, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 10, 2015 @ozski Chad's suggestions are ideal, perhaps starting with the rudder load tab and weight in the nose, (we usually use about 25kgs) would be a good starting place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad_Scott Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I can take a photo of mine and email to you if you want to see mine. All of the LXI 's can use a little weight in the nose they all ran bow high. David west 07 LXI came from Craig and was a promo so i know the rudder was worked by the factory before it went out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ozski Posted March 11, 2015 Author Baller Share Posted March 11, 2015 @Chad_Scott That would be great thank you - email to smarterapps@icloud.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bbruzzese Posted March 11, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 11, 2015 Any tricks for the TXi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller auskier Posted March 11, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 11, 2015 The 04 LXI did not have the rudder tab, in Australia at least. The US built boats may have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Lieutenant Dan Posted March 11, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 11, 2015 @Chad_Scott I'd be interested in what your rudder grind looks like as well. Can you post the picture on here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller baja Posted March 11, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 11, 2015 I have a 07 Lxi that was a So Cal promo boat. I used 35 pound barbell plates as follows. 1 plate in the walk-thru centered under the air dam to improved tracking which stays in all the time. Then under the observer seat next to the port gunnel I have 3 of the 35 pound plates to simulate a 105 pound passenger for side to side weight balance when no observer is in the boat. We remove these 3 plates when we have an observer. The plates are rubber coated and I looped a strap through each to make them easy to move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kstateskier Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 The 04LXI does not have adjustable rudder in US either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swc5150 Posted March 11, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 11, 2015 It's been a while since I had to grind down a rudder, but it didn't take much grinding at all to create tension at the steering wheel. I think it would be pretty hard to notice in a photo, but I could be wrong? Sure love the adjustable tab on the CC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Chef23 Posted March 13, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 13, 2015 I would love to grind the rudder on my response LX to create a little load but it scares the snot out of me. Plus I put my boat in the water in April and I don't take it out again until October so I can't pull it in and out easily to correct it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ozski Posted March 13, 2015 Author Baller Share Posted March 13, 2015 My 04 RLXi certainly does have the rudder tab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thompjs Posted March 13, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 13, 2015 @Chef23. On the Response it takes a lot of grinding to get it right. Use 4in grinder hit it on back starboard side at about 30deg angle. Run it up the lake a bit. It should start to pull right at mid to high 20s mph. Then it should pull moderately to right at 34/36. You just need to be able to launch, run it for a minute and then pop back on trailer if not enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted March 13, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 13, 2015 Where should I place a weight in a SN 196 for better tracking and weight distribution? I'm pretty sure there is no need. Where should I set the rudder tab included in the package utilizing the two set screws? Set it at your preference...no grinding. I appreciate the new hulls and the features that they as boats have to offer. The SN 196 any time after '97 is one helluva slalom tug. If one needs ZO hit the most recent model like @MS has for sale. If one needs a bigger open bow...do something different as there are great offerings out there from the big 3. The SN 196 hull holds it's own today and I argue that, for the most part, special weighting for tracking or wake are by and large not necessary with that hull for fantastic performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Jody_Seal Posted March 13, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted March 13, 2015 Like it or not sometimes our boats are just not assembled well from the factory. I have seen gross misalignment of shaft couplers, rudders with way to much end play and even slop in the rudder port bore. misalignment of tracking fins and of course pre-release and hull distortion due to extenuating layup problems. Sometimes we get boats that need more help then just a rudder grind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ozski Posted March 18, 2015 Author Baller Share Posted March 18, 2015 As suggested by Chad I added some weight to the front (sand bags under the seats) and did some rudder work. What I have now is a much better LXi for short line slalom work so thanks @Chad_Scott - great advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ozski Posted March 18, 2015 Author Baller Share Posted March 18, 2015 That's curious, I have a disagree above from a member on my rudder tab observation. And yet sitting here from my desk I can clearly see my boat outside on the trailer with a rudder that has a rudder tab. Its a US sourced LXi .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ozski Posted March 18, 2015 Author Baller Share Posted March 18, 2015 FYI - pictures from @Chad_Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kstateskier Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 For the record my LXI tracks great, without the adjustable rudder. Near as I can tell it has not had a grind. However I am going to try adding 60lbs to the bow this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted March 20, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted March 20, 2015 Yesterday and today I had the good fortune to drive Regina's 2014 boat. I assume Chad Scott set it up, but that is purely a guess. The rudder torque was pretty heavy, heavier than my 2007 Nautique with the fin tab maxed out, and heavier than I might have preferred. I drove several skiers and it was fine, but it might get tiring during a long shift at a tournament. That said, this boat was clearly the best driving Malibu I have ever driven and it completely changed my opinion of the boat. What a dream to drive! Very easy to get into the swing with the skier and consequentially very easy to hold center. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GAJ0004 Posted March 21, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 21, 2015 I kept my boat at factory specs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kstateskier Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 @ozski can you tell us more detail on what we are looking at rudder wise? Drivers side has been ground? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad_Scott Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 John you are correct regarding Regina's boat black with silver metallic, I had the boat for a couple of months. Its a really good boat. I personally like a lot of rudder torque, means i have to steer a lot less. As far as fatigue, just hold it straight no need to steer a lot. I used the boat for the Malibu Open pulled 24 skiers in a row with it. I like the wheel loaded especially when pulling lots of 39's and 41's. With the rudder worked you can take the load off with the rudder tab. As far as the photo of the rudder, I grind the rudder about 3 inches across the top and 3 inches down. If you drew a line across that is the area I grind and round the outside edge, then I use the tab to adjust to my preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Deke Posted March 22, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 22, 2015 Maybe I'm thick, but I still don't understand this explanation. Is it possible for someone to annotate that picture. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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