Handling question 260 Velocity
 

How important is it to balance out on board weight ( batteries, gear etc) on this pad hull ?

Just leave the fat chicks on the dock!

Yeah, I guess I ask for that one didn't I..........:picard1::D

Never really noticed a balance problem with my 280 but then again I never really loaded her off balance or moved battery etc. The one thing I did notice was that running in dead flat water and no passenger she was more prone to chine walk. The 280 is a couple of feet shorter, not sure how that may affect balance.

Are you experiencing any balance issues?

Padraig

Last time the wife and I went out (the big sooting day), it felt to me that at a modest run between 40-50 mph it was leaning to port. Now bear in mind that "IT FELT LIKE IT", as I don't know for sure. I plan on taking a bubble level out with me this weekend and see what it shows, that way I'll know for sure, I'll post back up.

A cross wind can also cause a deep vee to heel.

Padraig

On that day it was a beautiful calm day, winds were less the 5 MPH. It may just be all in my head too, this weekend will tell the story. Thx.

That can be a case of propeller torque from a right hand prop. I bought a used Bravo 1 prop that did the same thing to my 22 Velocity. The prop's previous owner later said that it did the same thing to his 24 Baja! When I ran a Mirage or Hydro QIV (less blade area than a Bravo 1) i didn't have the leaning condition.

Thanks for sharing that, I wouldn't have even considered that as a possibility....:D

I have an 02 280 that does really weird stuff on flat water. I dont like calm water at all at any kind of speed with that boat. I dont take it above about 55mph on flat stuff. Choppy water its a whole different boat and seems to be much more predictable. As far as balance goes never really noticed a problem. batteries on passenger side as im 234lb so that helps balance i guess but never do anything special from one side to the other and never noticed any issues or concerns.

Just and FYI update:

Ok, it's not all in my head.....:eek:

I taped a bubble level above the cuddy entrance (3M double sided tape, leveled in the garage), went out for the weekend (wife 120# and me at 176#).....it leaned port at rest and under speed. Had the wife move over next to me at rest and speed, it sat and ran level.

So time to move a few things in the engine room around. I've always suspected the 3 heavier new OPTIMA batteries as the cause, now its confirmed. I don't know why everything (hyd. trim pump, 3 batteries, bilge blower, 2 large fenders) was mounted on the port side and not distributed around a little.

Mine was the same. Both Batts, trim pump on port side. Had a ever so slight port list. Relocated one batt to starboard side. Took care of it.

When I bought my boat it had 4 batteries, 2 on each side. I now have 2 large batteries, one per side. I never checked mine with a level but I think it flys straight. A lot of passengers to one side will definitely make it list. At that time the passengers are told to reorganize or I drop a tab.

Velocities like the weight as far back as you can get it. I store most items under the rear seats, rear of side storage and in the engine compartment.

Outing results, I moved one Optima battery to the outer starboard side along with a plastic tote that holds the anchor and rope, results were positive just like Ryan00TJ mentioned.

Now considering moving one of the two remaining port batteries more inward as their both mounted to the extreme outside on the port side, this should further reduce port side listing weight. In perfectly calm water, wife and I onboard, cooler dead a midship bubble still shows a slight port lean. I'll get to that project eventually as it's not a critical item that needs attention now. Thanks all for the feedback.

Also had an issue on violent side to side sway while under power, boat was rocking right to left over and over, had to ease out of the throttle to regain control. I'm assuming that this is when it falls off pad and is trying to get back on pad, correct ?
I did read where driving the Velocity needs to be learned, so please enlighten me with your experiences as I'm in that learning mode.