Driving a 382 Fastech
 

Drove one for the first time last Sunday. It is a 1999 382 Fastech with HP500's and Bravo 1's. Full tank and 5 adults.

I noticed on plane 35-50mph, if I used more than about a 1/4 of up trim on the drives (tabs up)it had some strange steering characteristics. As you would ease into a gentle turn it would tend to lean and turn a little more than you wanted and if you tried to ease back on the steering it would try and straighten all the way out.

With the drives all the way in it drove normally.

Wondering if this is normal for a 382 or if there may be a prop or drive alignment issue. Thanks.

I had a 382 for 4+ years and never noticed any kind of unusual characteristics......it was a very conservative stepped hull and drive setup that performed smoothly. If anything it was less "sporty" than some others.

one of the tab indicators was sticking so once I was sure they were all the way up I left them alone. Did you use the tabs much apart from getting on plane?

I'd like to check prop rotation and drive toe measurement if any one has them. The props were Bravo one and seemed to be sized right for the power getting 5k to 5100 rpm and 70mph running heavy.

A good friend bought this boat at auction in Florida a few weeks ago, so we dont know any history.

damn in and out is great except for the part between the rack and water where you really are sweating bullets:angry-smiley-038:

They told us that was as big as they would take. Didnt care to see it rocking on the tip of the forks. :eek:

The building holds 400 boats.

what props are you runnin on that if you dont mind me asking?

3 blade or 4

Tabs set about 1/2 down getting on plane then used in rough water only. I was spinning 32P bravos to 5,300-5,400 with well over 600hp (700tq). That thing probably has 28P bravos. With stock power running 70 heavy sounds about right......probably get a little more once everything is tweaked (props, drive settings, etc).

BTW: clear some PM's

Thanks for the info, did you spin the props Top In or Top out?

the boat reminds me of a Fountain I rode in that turned the props in, it also tended to lay over more in a corner.

I need to check the prop size and rotation when I get down there later this week.

From other threads it appears that it is normally a out rotation boat. the props are 4 blade bravo's



pm's cleared, thanks

As a general rule, you don't run any stepped bottom boat with the drives trimmed in.

I suggest noting/marking neutral, and setting the trim there once on plane, and start easing the drives out; 1/2 click at a time.

As for the tabs, set note/mark neutral, and once on plane, set the tabs at neutral as well.

With props turning in (creating stern lift), and drives trimmed in (creating even more stern lift); I would absolutely expect the boat to oversteer. Sounds like prop rotation should be out to start with.
Was this one of the F2 race/poker run boats by chance; or a fully decked out 382? If you crank the wheel with that much configured stern lift on a step bottom boat, you are in dangerous territory, (risk of breaking loose and spinning).

Props spun out, never tried them in. I too had to trim the drives way up if I was running hard......spinning in would make steering worse IMO (like Sydwayz said).


PM sent............

I read a lot of step threads before driving this boat and that is why I have questions about it's setup.

It's not loose (oversteering) as such, it's more like it wants to suddenly lean more than the turn calls for. 1/4 up trim is where I expected it to be comfortable but that and more is where the odd behaviour occurs.

Trimmed all the way in or maybe an 1/8 out it drives fine but is obviously nose down.


What should the drives toe measurement be typically? in an 1/8th or so?

This boat is fully dressed and hails from Ohio.


EDIT Spent a while reading threads about drive toe, seems that 1/4" toe in is a good compromise number?

Spin the props out, and see what size props you have.For all around performance,cruise,and drive life I run 28 Bravos. Tried a set of box stock,and they were great.Sent them to BBlades and they are even better. As far as drive alignment,I called Formula,If I remember correctly,34 inches center to center on the prop shaft.

Check which location the trim cylinders are mounted to the drives. There are 2 positions they can be setup at. Full in or a slight bit out. On a friends 06 382 we swapped forward the trim adjustment sticks to full negative trim and it gets on plane much better. With 1 notch out on the trim indicators it turns well also. Sounds like your running 26's with the speed / rpm you list.

Never needed any tab to plane off with my 382. I have Stellings boxes with 28p Bravos turning in. Never noticed any ill-handling characteristics or excessive lean as you are sensing. It carries the nose a little higher and has a flatter wake than when turning out.

You might check the hull for hook. Sometimes an improperly set up trailer or lift with pads forward of the transom can cause the bottom to hook and cause poor handling.

thanks for all the thoughtful replies. Not sure what the issue is with this boat, will get back to you in a couple of days on the prop size and rotation, drive toe measurement and location of the trim cylinder wedges.