Chine Lock?

[flathead]

Hello Everyone,

Firstly,thanks for the suggestions with the drain bolts.

Secondly, I had the issue of chine lock( I believe) for the first time yesterday. I am a newbie boater and have put about 30 hours on a 99 Epic 21 with a 3 blade OJ prop. Never had the issue previously. The boat was driven hard when testing prior to purchase by an experienced boater and I was in the boat.That time the total weight in boat was around 575 lbs of passengers.

 I was pulling a 3 person tube with about 390 lbs of weight plus tube attached  from the tower and noticed that the steering was iffy at speed and would definitely get locked into the turn( chine lock?) at speed greater than 22-25. Water was not glass smooth but not bad either. I had no weight in boat other than driver and spotter( about 300 lbs). It felt like rudder was not turning no matter how much I turned the wheel the other way. Once I cut throttle and boat and came to a stop then I could start again with control.

Oddly I never had this problem last season pulling same tube with slightly less weight. It is possible I was driving less aggressively last season. I immediately came in and put kids and tube away and went out by myself(no weight in boat other than me at 170lbs) to see if I could induce it to lock and I definitely could at speed .
I put the boat up on my lift and checked rudder and it turned fine left to right( didn't check with any resistance to rudder wanting to turn though). I looked under removable board in locker at back and everything seemed fine.

My questions are: 1. Is there any way to adjust( tighten or loosen) steering cable to rudder linkage?    2. Would putting a fat sac in the storage locker minimize the problem and if so what weight would you recommend? 3. Would a change in prop to a 4 blade make any difference? 5. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

[westtx]

I had a similar experience in my E22 when towing a large 3 person tube off the tower. It seemed to happen when the tube was off the starboard side (where my 270 pounds also sits). My speculation is that the boat was leaning so far to that side that the rudder lost effectiveness. As you said, the easy correction is to back off the throttle and let the boat straighten out. I cured the problem completely by towing the big tube with a harness attached to the lifting eyes on the stern. Zero problem since then.

[Water Sports]

Also ,  make sure your rudder is greased.   If the shaft gets a dry spot,  and you add pressure from towing it will cause the steering to lock up.  With no pressure the rudder will turn easily.  I had to remove the rudder to clean the grease cirk and shaft in order to distribute th grease.  Be careful removing the rudder,  heavy and will drop out when bolt is loosened.  Easy two person job.

[ScarabEpic22]

Ive had this problem a few times with a lot of weight in the back of my E22 and none up front towing 2 single tubes.  Ill try greasing the rudder this weekend when I get out to the boat.

Any suggestions for a rusted shut zerk fitting on the rudder?

[Water Sports]

Simply replace the zerk(its threaded),   while it is removed try cleaning the hole to allow grease to flow.  Maybe you'll get lucky and not have to remove rudder.   Hope this helps.