1987 Sundowner 195 Lists HORRIBLY to Port Side

ewpvic · **Posted:** Tue Sep 03, 2013 1:17 pm

I can't imagine that the sport seating design with single seat helm and jump seat to port would make THAT much weight difference. Anybody else have this problem? No trim tabs on my boat.

I would think that Smart Tabs would correct it some. Any opinions?

Thanks,

E

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Sep 03, 2013 1:22 pm

Small light boat, battery on port side is likely causing the list. Smart tabs may help a little at speed, but they are not designed to correct a list at rest.
Add a second battery on starboard side, position passenger(s) on starboard side if possible. or stow gear on starboard side is all you can do. Not an uncommon problem at all that you are experiencing.

ewpvic · **Posted:** Tue Sep 03, 2013 1:26 pm

It doesn't list at all when it's still, only at speed. I know it's mostly prop, but my Formula 25SC with galley to port (sink, fridge, stove and electronics) wasn't even this bad. I found an inexpensive set of Smart Tabs. Will try to figure out something to remedy the cause.

E

factxback · **Joined:** Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:48 pm **Posts:** 2

I have a 1987 also. My research indicates it is caused by the torque of the prop. The faster you go the more it twists to one side. My wife would sometimes counter weight and move over but most of the time I just hold on to my seat and enjoy the speed. If you find a fix let me know.

JeffLW · **Posted:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:42 am

My father had an 86 that did this as well. We would always try a compensate by putting the cooler and the larger passengers on the starboard side. I'm sure tabs would have corrected this.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:06 am

Smart tabs on a light setting will flatten it out. Give em a call they are very smart, the will tell you what size and setting to do.

Surface Interval · **Posted:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 11:01 am

From your picture it looks like you have a Stingray, Doelfin, or some other type of fin on the cavitation plate on the out drive. If so, I believe this is the cause of your list to port at cruise. The fin on the out drive develops a lot of lift on the boat's centerline. At cruise with the out drive trimmed down the stern lift and prop torque cause the list to port. My old 190 Horizon was rather heavy in the back. I could not really trim the drive up until I was above 35-40 mph. I experimented with a fin on my 190 Horizon for a while and finally decided against it. With the fin the boat would plane sooner and slower, but I had to trim when I got on plane so it did not list to port. I also had to readjust trim as speed changed. With the fin, when I was trimmed down too far, the boat listed to port. Trim just a little too high and the boat would porpoise. I also noticed that a sharp turn caused enough lean or roll to be un-nerving for most drivers and passengers. It would just about put the gunnel in the water. I would recommend trying your boat without the fin to see if you like that better. If you do want the fin then I would suggest getting used to retrimming every time you change power/speed. Smart tabs may help, but individually controllable trim tabs give you the most control. Hope this helps.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 12:08 pm

As a smart tab user, don't underestimate them. Properly setup they work as good or better than manual trim tabs (on smaller vessels). They like to be balanced so if one side lists more than another they will level the boat. Are they perfect? No, but dropping $100 on smart tabs will make a very noticeable improvement in every aspect of ride quality.

mark1190 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:01 pm

Mine has the same issue...(and I thought mine was the only one, ha!)

Check your skeg. My shop told me mine was slightly bent. I mean ever so slightly. When I eyeball it I can hardly tell, but it's there. Probably enough to tilt the boat it when it's underway. A repair costs about 100-150 dollars. I'll do mine in the off-season.

Mark

204Angler · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:11 pm

It's the hydrofoil you've got on the AV plate...Like Surface Interval said, when the motor is trimmed down too much, it will shove the bow of the boat down and it will want to pull to port. And X2 on the trimming the drive up more the more speed you get. It is worse on outboards on the wrong boat but...every boat that I've had with those on there it did the same thing.

BTW, my '87 195 SD is the exact same color...looks good!

www.iFourWinns.com

1987 Sundowner 195 Lists HORRIBLY to Port Side

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