Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

I have an'02 Tiger, 575SC's, with a curved notched transom. See picture.

After getting the boat on plane, I constantly have to work the throttles to keep the engines in sync. I usually do this by listening to the engine harmonics and looking at the tachs. It seems that once I get the engines in sync and have the slightest movement (or tilt side to side) right or left, one of the engines will gain rpm anywhere from 100 to 400 rpm. Depends on which way the boat leans as to what engine gains rpm.

My first thought was to call Throttle UP and work with them on different props. However, I'm not sure that it is prop related because at WOT I'm getting 86-87 mph on GPS running in fresh water; which is normal for this set up. I believe some of you have seen faster speeds in salt water.

I was wondering if the curved notched transom as opposed to a straight notch transom was causing water turbulence or interrupted flow around the props to cause prop slippage?? I've notice the newer Cig models have a straight notched transom.

Any of you out there experience this? Or, by chance is this characteristic normal? Any thoughts from anyone?

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

what lowers do u have, and what speeds dose this happen?

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

I have Bravo XR's with a low to average X Dimension.

The inballance starts happening at 45-50 mph (3500-4000 rpm) all the way to WOT.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

??? well i guess neither of those two are your problem!It looks like you X is low enough not to interfear with th props. I wouldnt cancel out the prop idea! atleast give it a try.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

f129, thanks for your replies. I was just trying to get some thoughts on the issue before I talk to the pros this spring.

Thanks.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Where are you running your trim when this happens?

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

90% of the time both trim and tab positions are neutral. I have the positions marked on the gauge so this can be obtained while running the boat. If I over trim, the boat will sometimes porpoise so I try not to over trim. Plus, at neutral, I can reach optimum speed at WOT. Granted, I'm on a smooth lake with very little chop.

My best guess is that this issue is prop slip.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Show some pics of the whole boat while you are at it. Can't help you on the rpm changes, but sure sounds like a nice rig.

Lonestar

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Thanks.. and yes, all Cigs are nice especially what is coming out of the factory now.......
Enjoy.... I am! :D :D

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

...propeller direction of rotation? Inward or outward can make a big difference...sometimes spinning inward will cause this type of handling.
Hugh

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Thanks HP. Currently, the props are turning out. I havn't really thought about trying to see how it does with turning them inward, only due to the fact that Cig does not recommend running the props turning in on this model/step configuration. Although, its somthing I may need to consider when I get the boat back in the water.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Beautiful, Thanks for the pics!!! :drink:

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Very interesting dilemma;

Did cb@dragon have in "inside info"?

Maybe a inexpensive trial would be to add Latham drive spacers. I know your drives look low enough but it sure sounds like they come up out of the water when you list side to side

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

or the props are just "wrong" wanting to "climb" to the surface too much. This could give this effect. Wanting to surface, falling back in, side to side.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Yes, I've thought about that also. I think its prop related too. But like I said earlier the props push the boat to the correct rpm and speed at WOT. I've read where the new 5 blade may help this issue and thats where Throttle Up will come into the picture this spring.

The boat does not rock back and forth (side to side), its like you are running straight in smooth undisturbed water and when you pass thru some waves at an angle or even get hit with a cross wind, the boat will lean a bit. Thats when an engine will gain rpm.

The know drive spacer may help this as well if turbulence in water flow is helping cause this, however, I do not want to loose any top end performance. I'll just have to experiment some with this.

Thanks for the input.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

It sounds like the props have some slip going on and when the boat is allowed to drop one side, the prop going deeper will obviously get a better bite and the one being raised will get even more slip. What speed/rpm range does it seem to happen at? Does the hull seem to lean from side to side easily at the speeds it occurs at? Does a little tab help stabilize things? I would think spinning the props in will make matters worse. How does the hull feel in the higher speed ranges? I am certainly no Cig expert, just fishing.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

I dont realy think you need to keep them perfectly sync'ed .. all the time
close is ok ..

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Yea... I know what your saying. I'm kinda of one of those guys that likes things to be right all the time. I had a '93 Fountain 35 Lightning for ten years. Which was a good boat for me. Put almost 800 hours on her. The props were always hooked up, and it was easy to handle, probably due to a conservitive set up. I know I get my Cig right with just a little work. She's a great boat.

All our boats sound good running when the engines are pretty close in sync, and there is nothing better than that. Thats all I trying to accomplish. Its all in set up and I understand that.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Checked the drive angles? How much toe in/out are you running?

Maybe one the hydro "plus" props would help?

Maybe a new fountain would fix the problem? Your old one still runs 82+ (GPS now) and handles great. I sent my new hydros to Throttle-Up for labbing. Always looking for a little more speed.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

First check a few things, Check to see if the Xs are true. I have found a few that are not , either side to side from center or from each side. Next look for a shrinkage in the glass on the left area in front of the notched transom just outside of the rounded area. Does the boat ventilate in a accelorated planing? Because of the bottom design , quite a few of the cigs need lowered Xs. Switch your props and try to see if it is a prop problem it will come out in the switch.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Feelin Nauti did your 93 Fountain come from grand, if so i believe it was John Mullins personal boat for a short time.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Flawless looking rig.. goodluck with your prop issue.. your X dim.. looks real conservative..have you tried the boat out in the rough to see the effect of its performance?..

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

mismatched X-dimensions? On a boat of that caliber and that kind of $$ ?

now that's worriesome... :(

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Thanks for the thoughts Tres. I will check the X's and will post back with the measurements if they are not true. The boat does ventilate getting to plane. My gut feel is that it will be either a need for lower X's (like you mentioned, also 2112 mentioned spacers) or just a change props. At this point, I am just waiting for spring to get the boat back in the water so I can start working with it again.

Thanks,

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

Been awhile, curious if you had a chance to try new props yet? I am looking at a similar setup to yours so curious about your results.

corey

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

InXS
Call Bud at Cigarette or Phil at LIP-SHIP Performance.Both will give you the correct answers and not try to get in your pocket by talking you in to something you don't need.

Re: Tiger Handling Characteristic
 

I would take the advice that Tres has provided.....it is free and we all know that Tres could rig a Cig blind-folded. Normally people charge for that kind of info......ie. attorney's, consultants, doctors, etc. Thanks for being involved on the board Tres.

Chad