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Originally Posted by n2boatn2
PT you are trully an answer to my questions every thing you've stated is the answers I was looking for ,damn shame we don't live closer so we could boat together, thanks everyone, communication is the answer to mental constipation.
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Glad to help for a change. I've been the recipient of alot of help here at OSO.
Let me know if any of the things I've suggested make a difference. You can PM me if you would like to discuss anything in particular. I too am a pilot (learned that about you from another thread) and I can honestly admit that our boat gave me fits at first. Our plane is a taildragger, so I'm no rookie to just how quickly something can change ends on you if you let it get half a chance. Boats are no different, and water, like weather in flying, is one of those places that Mother Nature shows that She is still the boss. Many parallels occur between flying and boating. Quick, level headed thinking is critical as well as not exceeding limitations - either your ability or those of the equipment. Mistakes are certain to happen at first. The key is to learn from those mistakes (or those others have warned you about) and make sure not to repeat them. Also like flying, gentle on the controls is a good rule to adopt. Radical manuevers or overcorrection is just as dangerous as anything.
The K-planes take some getting used to but are just as effective as trim is on an airplane. I'd recommend you get the boat somewhere you can experiment with them. Lower them both a little until you see an attitude in the bow change. Then, SLOWLY, and I mean slowly, raise one tab until you feel the boat start to steer right or left. It won't take much adjustment for this to happen. Remember also that lowering the starboard tab actually raises the stern on that side (port bow goes down), and visa versa. One thing I've noticed about our boat is that the wind affects it greatly. Crosswind courses will have the boat listing away from the direction of the wind. I suppose the narrow beam is partly the cause. At any rate, the K-planes can be adjusted to keep the hull riding level, just as trimming the ailerons on an airplane. Just remember you're going to have to retrim when you change directions. Like everything, it is a matter of practice and familiarization with your equipment.
Have fun, be safe, and don't try inverted in the water. It's no fun.