Originally Posted by Gordo

The "rocking" you refer to is called "chine walk", where the boat oscillates, or rocks from side to side, or chine to chine. The Velocity hull is famous for it. Also boats with a higher prop shaft height, (X-dimension) are more likely to experience this event. You're already halfway there by having hydraulic external steering. It's difficult to explain, but when a boat at higher trim begins to chine-walk, the driver input can minimize this by steering into the side of the boat that is rising, then back to the other side that is about to rise. in action, it will look like you are turning the wheel back and forth a couple-few inches. The TRICK is the timing! If you get behind, you will actually amplify the action. However, once you get a little ahead of it, the boat will quickly settle without backing off the throttle or trimming in. This is a "seat-of-the-pants" feel that is hard to teach. But, once you get the feel of it, it quickly becomes natural.
There are drivers that can get the feel of a boat in a few minutes and make it look as solid as a pontoon boat.
Others, not so much.
Good luck!

Originally Posted by Padraig

Gordo nailed it!

Worked on my 280 and will work on your 260 as it is basically the same hull. I have run both hydro quad and Bravo 1. Both do a good job. IMO the Bravo stays hooked up a little better but Hydros are a little faster. Bravo give a little more bow lift. Never heard of a Mirage or any 3 blade being used on a 260 or 280. If someone has one to try, go for it but I wouldn't buy one without trying it first.

Try leaving the tabs at nutral. Also do not be afraid to trim the drive up. Sometimes the boat will chine walk because you are trimmed in too much and the boat falls off the pad, bounces of the chine and then repeats on the opposite side.

Keep us posted,

Padraig

Originally Posted by ThisIsLivin

I would check your hull, you are chine walking awfully early. I don't have tabs and I run the trim slightly above level and I hit chine walk about 85. I have been running a Bravo 1 28P and have tried a 30P as well. The boat seems to like the bigger props, I had my 28P labbed by BBlades and they increased pitch 1.5 degrees with additional cup. It's amazing how those changes in the prop make such a significant difference in the handling of a boat. I also added a Hydro-Motive nose cone to my B1 and that seemed to add some stability to the boat above 80.

Originally Posted by underpsi68

Have you tried a stock 26 Bravo one?

Originally Posted by cabin fever

My 280 doest start to walk till its over 70. Usually a quick turn of the wheel or drive adjustment will settle it down. Rougher water is worse obviously. Ive tried both the bravo and hydromotive props and tend to lean towards the bravo as best all around.