Getting P Od

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

Allright fellas, gotta ask for some help. 97 209/01 250 xb. I have run all kinds of props, different pitches from 4 inches below to 2 below pad and this thing just refuses to act right. Doesn't care how much i jerk on the wheel, ease into it or just floor it. I'm getting seasick from the chimewalk. Ran it today with a 28 bravo-1 worked, have run 26 bravo-1 worked, 27 txp,26fury,tempest, trophy god knows what else. Same result with all. So it has to be the driver. Got to thinking on the way home today that maybe i'm not putting enough trim to it to get it up on pad then bump it down. How much trim are you boys using ?. By my gauge i'm using around 3/8 of my trim. Does not feel like it ever gets completely up on pad. Depending on prop and height it will start chime walking from 68 to 72 mph loaded or unloaded so that does away with balanceing the load. One time, only once have i had it get up on the pad and cruise but i did not have the gps on so no speed readout. I had a 183 years ago and it wanted all the trim i could give her and only once did it try to chime on me. What am i doing wrong??????.

[kp crane]

I'd say its the trim...I trim mine up, up, up till she starts to walk then just a slight bump back down on the trim and she's dialed in!

[gamblerjewell]

What is your prop shaft position on mine if the motor is to low it will chinewalk uncontrolably. If you dont have Hyd. Steering get it you will see it is the best upgrade possile for control.

[gamblerjewell]

That boat should fly. Run a 27 tempest or Fury and you will be over 80 with her easily set up right.

[kp crane]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by gamblerjewell &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">What is your prop shaft position on mine if the motor is to low it will chinewalk uncontrolably. If you dont have Hyd. Steering get it you will see it is the best upgrade possile for control.</td></tr></table>Agreed ...I'm running 2-1/8 below pad and deffinatly get hyd steering if you don't have it allready!

[gamblerjewell]

That sound bout right with most the g boats out there when the conditions are right I can run mine even with pad on smoooth water With the 10" hydro jack and still have plenty of lift, But that is only when the speed reaches the upper 70's.

[ThunderCat]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by CRIMSONGAMBLER &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Allright fellas, gotta ask for some help. 97 209/01 250 xb. I have run all kinds of props, different pitches from 4 inches below to 2 below pad and this thing just refuses to act right. Doesn't care how much i jerk on the wheel, ease into it or just floor it. I'm getting seasick from the chimewalk. Ran it today with a 28 bravo-1 worked, have run 26 bravo-1 worked, 27 txp,26fury,tempest, trophy god knows what else. Same result with all. So it has to be the driver. Got to thinking on the way home today that maybe i'm not putting enough trim to it to get it up on pad then bump it down. How much trim are you boys using ?. By my gauge i'm using around 3/8 of my trim. Does not feel like it ever gets completely up on pad. Depending on prop and height it will start chime walking from 68 to 72 mph loaded or unloaded so that does away with balanceing the load. One time, only once have i had it get up on the pad and cruise but i did not have the gps on so no speed readout. I had a 183 years ago and it wanted all the trim i could give her and only once did it try to chime on me. What am i doing wrong??????.</td></tr></table>

Don't not keep her balanced. If you are by yourself fill up the passenger side livewell. I don't think you are going to need too much trim with that big engine you have on there. I know each Gambler is different, but you shouldn't have to cross too much above if any.. 1/4 of the trim. Where ever your engine height is, depends on your needed trim. The higher you pick the engine up relative to pad, the less trim you need, and vice versa. Do any of these props have much cup added to the blades? I bet you it's something minor that is causing you to chinewalk...

[low slung cruiser]

make sure you got a TORQUEMASTER LOWER UNIT....#1(should since its a XB)
GET POWER STEERING...#2
Raise motor on JACK PLATE...#3

[gutterman1157]

would slop in the steering cables cause the chine?

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

The bravo, has a lot of cup added and rake advanced, b&b ,vented, barrel cut. I have run stock and worked props with no difference, water in live well has no effect nor does a passenger. well a 120 pound passenger has no effect, need to get a fat boy on that side of the boat also. I just like the way the bravo's hold the boat up at slower speeds so mama has a easier time driving it. She dont like fast.

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

Would'nt think so, it's hyd anyway but once the prop starts turning all the pressure is on one side of the wheel. It's probally me. I may try to get killr-b to meet me on lay lake and see what he can do with it. If he can handle a competion 800# bullett w/300x he should be able to drive this one.

[IndianOutlaw]

raise the motor, my outlaw was totally unsafe untill I got the motor jacked up. Now I have only 5-10 hours seat time and I can hold her 70-74 all day long. Before when I hit the 66+ mark the crap would hit the fan.

[ldbass55]

chine walk can be caused by a lot of things...and yes slop in the steering is one of them....older seastar systems are notorius for the bushings wearing out, causing steering play...worn out shocks in the motor can also contribute to chinewalk...but in my experience its usually the prop number one...or the driver...i dont know who worked the props you have ran...but a croxton worked tempest on that rig should be the ticket...and yes you may not be getting it up on the pad surface...that rig should be a bad azz ride with the xb on it....
LD

[CRIMSONGAMBLER]

That's what i think, it needs a driver. The hyd steering is all new, the props are croxonized. Had the prop high enough to lose water press. Going to try some different angles on getting it on the pad, may not be hitting the wheel hard enough, try a little more trim then bump it down if it gets thru it, if that dont work i'll take the 45 and fill it full of holes and call alfa. Swapping shifts with my son for a few weeks so i will be able to get on the water during the week and try to work it out. Seems like everytime i get a day off it's two days after a rain and river is full of trash and logs. The way we worked last year i did not get a full day on the water, not one full day. We already have a order that will require us to run production 6 days a week and being in maintenance that will put us back on 7 days a week. Think we can fill it by august. That chit cost me a fiance last year but were still seeing each other.

[gamblerjewell]

I feel for you man dont know what I would do without my water time.

[badabing]

You have a lot of great info from quite a few guys, but you have answered your own question yourself which is more time on the water. Your equipment sounds like it is all sound so I dont feel that is your problem, the only way you are going to learn how to outdrive the chinewalk is to get out there and work with it. A guy once told me this and I followed his instuctions and left the fishing poles at home and went and drove the boat until I conquered it.

[TheDuke]

These are tricky boats to drive. I thought my Bullet was tricky but I think this Gambler is more of a handful then my Bullet was. One other way to get your driving skills down is to drive with 2 people. The more weight in the boat the better on the learning curve. Hyd. Steering helped a bunch with mine, I would recommend that for sure. After that it is all seat time really, no matter where the motor is I think it is all driving. If your close to anyone on the board you could always have someone else go drive with you. Good Luck my man, once you get it down there is nothing like it n the world to drive.