Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

The twin step is great, excellent ride like everyone has stated. I owned a 2000 Single Step Top gun, it was terrible at making turns over 45mph, even in 6" to 1' chop. The ride was ok but nothing like the twin steps are on re-entry. Always seemed like it wanted to dance, not chine walk, but dance from port to starboard above 65mph on up. Jeff

Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

Whoa Whoa!
That happened really fast, one moment okay the next moment ejected. What was the loud popping sound?

Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

THe trim was never brought in..... believe me I know better than to tuck the drives in a TS!!! The issue was allowing the nose to drop and changing the pivot point in the turn from the rear of the boat to the point of the first step. The popping is the rev limiter. Bruce is the one saying whoa whao because he felt the slide before I did. Phucking scary ride!! Whats scarier is that he made the recovery boat drive us back over and told me to get it started and he went after the pack again...... going even faster!!!! I was just dazed and confused.

Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

OK I've never driven a step hull boat, but will be doing so for the first time when spring eventually arrives. :( What's the proper way to make turns at high speed? Trim the drive all the way up to keep the bow high/stern low? I'm guessing that transfers the most weight to the stern for turning.

Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

Neutral Trim

Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

And taking a set Keeping the bow at the horizon.

Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

FYI

The steps of the cigs have been revised on certain models.

So they aren't all the same.

I think Michael Peters did some design on the bottoms for Cig.

Obviously, there is a difference between the single step and the twin step.

Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

Jumping in on this thread a bit late, but it really caught my attention. I just purchased a 99 Donzi 26ZX, my first "go fast", but have been boating for over 12 years. I do alot of river running, tight & winding rivers where speeds usually won't go over 40, mainly due to the small unobservant personal water craft that always seem to be piloted by very young individuals...anyway. This being my first twin stepped hull, I am a bit weary about this "spin out" fear. I get the drive needing to be trimmed out, but what about the tabs? should I just trim them all the way up before going up river? Or is that a completely different set-up? And then what about open water? Since my family is always with me, I don't go out to the Gulf in any more than 2-3 footers. I just don't enjoy getting pounded, but will the step give me problems in rough water going straight? Sorry about rambling, just trying to get good info before I start getting seat time, without getting wet, the water is quite cold right now...LOL.

Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

It's great that you're asking. So, many people get in a boat and "know it all". I'd suggest, for a first step, read Tres's article in Powerboat Magazine (from either last month or the month prior). He scratches the surface in regard to answering some of your questions.

Otherwise, have a conversation with someone who understands stepped hulls.

Too much to type as a written response...... You are not rambling....

Quick answer --- you might want to use the tabs on the river only at slow speeds, to keep your bow (nose) down. Wouldn't suggest using them "at speed" or for anything else in river/flat water (in that length/type boat).

The Gulf is a different story (and too much to type).

Where do you boat? What part of the county?

Welcome aboard!

Re: Cig stepped hulls
 

"all the way up" would be too much (an exaggeration)..... Just be careful and don't do anything "quick". slow & smooth will usually keep you out of trouble until you begin to feel how the boat best responds.