Newer Eyra hopping at speed

[AUTimbo]

21 Eyra /250 Merc 4-stroke/manual plate/ stock 24” Fury 3-blade

Moved some boxes/weight around in the boat trying to get things right and think i have made it worse.
The last two times out as the speed is getting upper 60’s/low 70’s I can swear I feel the hull starting to hop a bit and finally seems to settle down about when I reach 74-75mph. I still am not confident enough to run her past 76 comfortably but I’m gaining confidence slowly and even reached 77 yesterday.

Back to the question of the hopping though, could my redo of my tackle gear have caused this and if so why?
Too much weight in bow? Too much in middle/center of boat? (Most soft plastics in bottom of step box, worm weights/gear in front cooler box , etc)
Liked the way she rode better before the shift but just trying to understand what is going on here.

Thanks in advance for any, all help.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Trim down a touch… also if the engine is up lower it a smidge.

And be sure you watched this video… Randy Vance has driven hundreds of boats and could never master the top end of a bass boat. He’s up in the mid 70’s now where his previous comfort zone was 65-ish.



Simply study the suggestions, learn to use them and move forward.

[Limbhanger51]

Have you measured your prop to pad distance? When you said hopping can you describe that further? Sounds like it may be chine walking maybe. The Eyra can be a little weight sensitive but I’ve found it to be more critical left to right balanced more so than front to back. Other helpful info would be how many graph s on the bow. Poles? Lithium batteries?

[AUTimbo]

Totally different from chine, which is what I am working through as far as getting better driving the Eyra as I get closer to her limits.

I don’t feel I’m over-trimming as I am pretty much exactly where I would trim before. This is happening as her speed increase but long before she tries walking harder on me. Almost feels like just a slight constant hopping like she’s trying to fly but can’t quite do it.

Have an Ultrex/single 12” Helix on bow. , maybe 10 rod/reel combos in rod locker, 8 rod/reel combos on deck. No poles, AGM cranking battery/3 lead acid trollers from factory. I haven’t touched factory set up as a BCB driver rode with me at last years Classic at Hartwell and showed me she was set up perfect by running 79.8 with two big boys in her with 1/2 tanks fuel load. (Bob Mayo driving I believe)

Also left to right seemed perfect as I had about 12 gallons in left tank and maybe 6-7 in right. (I’m @ 240 as well)

[AUTimbo]

Will weigh tackle/gear tomorrow and post it. Could be the gradual additions of new lures/tackle, etc has become an issue. We DO have a Cabelas in town, which my wife believes is half empty these days from my numerous purchases showing up on the debit card.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Yes, weigh the gear.

The other option is a propeller that has gotten sand blasted and lost its bite. Fury propellers also loose bite in time with the thinner blades.

[Limbhanger51]

If you have access to another prop you could try it and see if that eliminates the problem.

[Limbhanger51]

Does it “hop” with water in the livewells?

[lpugh]

LOad the right side 100 lbs heavier than left

[AUTimbo]

NM

[AUTimbo]

Yes, weigh the gear.

The other option is a propeller that has gotten sand blasted and lost its bite. Fury propellers also loose bite in time with the thinner blades.

Haven’t run near skinny water for sand blast possibly loading boat at ramp might have but prop looks fine. Only at about 80 hrs on motor/prop

[AUTimbo]

Ok. Weighed tackle today
Forward of front cooler I’m at 90 lbs including rods on deck.
Add 12 lbs for gear in front cooler brings total to 102 lbs forward of console, perfectly even side to side But majority within a foot and s half of centerline of boat.

Add 10 lbs of plastics in rear cooler ( under center step to rear deck).

Bow too heavy BCB ???

[Bass Cat Boats]

Should be fine, a little nose heavy, though not bad.

[basnbran]

Can definitely feel it when my fury prop needs work.

Feels exactly as described

[retiredmechanic]

Haven’t run near skinny water for sand blast possibly loading boat at ramp might have but prop looks fine. Only at about 80 hrs on motor/prop

Don't have to be in skinny water. The prop is getting blasted if you run in water that has flowed in after a lot of rain has caused the body of water to raise.

[Rich1]

Sounds like motor/plate adjustment. I think you maybe lifting the back of the boat too much. Had that problem sorting out my Cat. What I thought was a weight distribution was really a engine height prob as the rear was lifting too much.

[Gun Runner]

Trim down a touch… also if the engine is up lower it a smidge.

This is your answer , nothing else matters . I can lay 2 fat girls out on the front deck of my Cougar and that doesnt make it hop .

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

This is your answer , nothing else matters . I can lay 2 fat girls out on the front deck of my Cougar and that doesnt make it hop .

LOL, so glad you didn't post a pic:-)

[Gun Runner]

LOL, so glad you didn't post a pic:-)

Oh , I got plenty of them to !

[Mudbone]

I’m gonna roll with Gun Runner one day !! LEGEND LOL

I do know what hopping he’s talking about. My 2017 did the same thing to me recently…may have had the plate too high?
I just recently got the boat and still learning how to drive her. My Cougar was smash it and steer…this Eyra…not so much- she doesn’t like trim for sure

she is fast though…I’ve ruined 3 pairs of “draws” trying to learn the drive through the chine fear…running a 25 Fury- gonna try some other props