OK this makes sense as the previous owner told me that he runs this with the drives set at a "2" on the controls, and the tabs on about a "4". I could pull the drives back in because they go not only to zero but to negative numbers. So, thanks for your excellent insight, I now know that I need to try turning with the drives set a various settings to see how it changes cornering attitude! THANKS!!!

What a story! I had a small lightweight yamaha 18 ft boat with two 155 hp jet ski motors. Dead stock and it was a huge blast. I could do 360 degree turns in at at 45 mph. or, 180's with water splashing all over us on hot days. But, one time it tried to throw me out of the boat - my feet sticking straight up in the air and me holding on for dear life! Was just strong enough to hold on and get back in my seat. Last time I drove without the kill switch not connected to me....!

Hey, I did not know this! Great advice, thanks!!!

Rick

Don't get too greedy with the trim especially when it's rough, you don't want to trip a cat. Most cats don't even come with tabs so don't use more than necessary. If it's flying level your dong it right, just take your time & get used to what the boat wants. A well designed cat will turn harder than your comfortable with but please get a lot of seat time & expert instruction before you explore the limits!!

There also are differences in the way you trim a stepped hull
V-bottom as compared to a conventional V-bottom when you enter a turn. The "trim it down and turn the wheel" approach that is, generally speaking, not a problem with conventional V-bottoms (depending on speed, of course) can be a major problem with a stepped-hull V-bottom. Hooking, catching and rolling are potential problems that come to mind.

Is a cat more risky or dangerous than a V-bottom? In the wrong hands, either can be very safe or very dangerous. Neither is necessarily "easier" to drive. More often than not, it's not the boat that is safe or dangerous. It's the driver.

Best advice I've every heard? Take your time. Progress through speeds slowly, say 5 to 10 mph at a time as you learn your boat.

Another great piece of advice? Call Tres Martin and/or Brad Schoenwald.

Cool , just take your time and get to know your boat and watch out for big boat wakes at high speed until you know how big of wave you can handle at different speeds. You will be just fine. Enjoy your cat!!

here's a video we took right before dark when a neighbor showed up in a helicopter. would of been more fun if he could keep up!! mine doesn't lean much in the turns.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/httpww...=1452469752875

NICE!!!! I like where the chopper takes a shortcut and then comes straight at you from the other way.

mike.. I could have done that...






well if I put a big blower on my chit! :lolhit:

No matter what relief you're feeling from the good fortunes of these members, that will all go away and that worry you once had will come back. I personally have not had any experience with cats, but I took the tres martin performance boat school with Brad this past June. All it takes is one mistake, for a split second and you'll wish you spent $2500 + travel expense for that course. It's a lot cheaper than a accident. After finishing the tres martin course, I couldn't believe the stupid chit I was doing that I never realized was so wrong and so dangerous. The course not only explains how to drive, throttle, and dock a boat, but the hydrodynamics as well. The insurance saving is the least attractive part of the deal. The peace of mind I had every time I sat in the drivers seat of my boat was unbelievable. If you have the funds to spend that kind of money on the boat, you should have the money to secure the safety of you and your passengers. I took this course for a 90mph 29ft v-bottom. If I was in your shoes, I would have purchased the course on my drive back with the boat!:party-smiley-004: