Test drove my first Cafe' this weekend. Very nice boat. Had 502's bored to 522's, Dart intake, CMI exhaust, (dyno'd at 540HP @5000rpm) Hydraulic steering, Bravo's. Very nice boat. Engines were very responsive. This is my question: I noticed the deck flexing as we were cruising the river. Is this normal for a Cafe'?

My 1994 Cafe has no deck flex.

No



How much was it flexing? If you could see it flex just a little, that would be a bad thing!

Nope.

I've seen it in Cafe's, Guns, Tigers and a few other boats I've been in in bigger water. Just a slight flex in the center of the deck when coming down hard & flat. If this is what you are refering too, yes, it's normal. If the whole deck is shifting and flexing then no, you may want to pass on the boat.

the only thing that flexes on my cafe is the throttles over the dash... are you sure you were not in a fountain, then the answer to your question is yes, its quite normal....

I would say that the entire center section of the deck was flexing a couple of inches. When I walked on it it felt solid. The water we were in was not very rough. Guess I'll have to test drive some more. When I asked the owner about it all he said was it has done that ever since he got it (about seven years ago). My wife even commented on it and she is not real technical.

I've got an 1989 and can't ever remember seeing the deck flex.

I have an '89 as well, and we hit the big water at loto every weekend. - I have never noticed it flexing..

"I will watch closely this week"